Would this be consitered a hostile work enviroment

Forced to change shifts because of Manager Evaluation Form

History: I was hired at Verstgroup, a 3PL warehousing company, on Dec. 14, 2009. I'm in charge of the inventory. That is counting and adjusting the inventory. At first everything was good. The manager at the time was person A. Person A listened to the problems with the inventory and tried to fix them. At the same time there was a guy he was the team lead of receiving, person B. Both inventory and receiving worked 3rd shift. During breaks person B would constantly say how person A was not doing his job. He would say that the computer system could tell who the person/persons were messing up the inventory and the he, if in charge would make the pickers accountable for the inventory. That was the moment I realized that he was going after person A's job.

I never said anything because I could never prove it but watched person B do things to mess up the inventory. He would put the product in wrong locations, hide product so the pickers could not find it and so on. Granted the pickers were still going to wrong locations but they were trying in hit their quota's.

As the days went on more and more employees realized that person B was trying to get rid of person A's job.

Well, person A ended up quitting due to the pressures of the job and person B snaked his wan into the managers position. That's when it all started.

I continued to do my job and reporting my findings. Person B started to become very resentfully of my findings. He tried to change the process of my job. I wasn't allowed to touch any inventory, just count it. He also didn't want me to adjust anything in or out of the system if it was over a certain quantity. Processes that made the inventory even worse which made my work environment even worse.

I did try and show him where the inventory problems lay but he never wanted to hear it. He was convinced that I was after his job and I was the one causing the problems to get his job. In simple terms, do what he did to person A. Yes I was looking for a promotion but never would stoop to that level. In fact I didn't want his position because of what one would have to do to change things. Another-wise fire several people to scare the others into doing things the right way.

Anyways person B's attitude changed even more towards me until it became actual hatred. I don't listen to hearsay to much but it's hard not to listen to several people tell me that how person B's tells them how much he hate's me. At this point, even though I did dislike him for what he did to person A, I still NEVER hated him, but I would never trust him after want I witnessed.

Anyways, things ended up getting so bad that I ended up requesting a private meeting with HR. Before that meeting took place an event happened that made things even worse.

The event: Person B called me into is office and told me that he was taking me out of inventory. The reason given to me were he couldn't figure out where the inventory problems were, even though I tried to explain and show him on paper on several occasions. I was going to be able to remain on 3rd shift but do receiving. At that moment I emailed person B's boss and requested a private meeting.

In that meeting is showed person B's boss, on paper what was going on with the inventory. I pointed out what was I suppose to do with my findings. I also explained and showed, on paper how person B's was hiding results from not only him but his bosses and the customer. The results of the meeting was I stayed in the position, no change was made, but an additional person was added to help me. I also found out that my reports effects his bonus. That is the meat of the entire situation as far as I could see

I did talk to HR right after, which was the scheduled meeting by phone. I explained the above paragraphs to her. Nothing really came out of it but at least it was on record with HR now.

As for the additional help. This person was suppose to show I was the one making the inventory wrong. What ended up happening was he agreed with me. He saw what was going on, who the responsible people were and what needed to be done to fix it.

The main point: This is the one that pushed everything over the edge. On Monday person B put out on the lunch tables a small stack of papers. The heading said "Manager Evaluation Form." It was to anonymous. I took one and went around asking people if this was true or some joke. The 2nd shift supervisor said it was true and I should fill it out. We had one week to fill it out. I debated to myself about filling it out. I did talk to several other people about it and the general thought was that neither person B's boss nor HR knew anything about it, simply put, it was against company policy.

On Wedensday I did fill it out but instead of tuning it in I emailed it to myself. I was still not sure what to do. On either Thursday or Friday I had an email from HR asking me how everything was going. I emailed back that there was no change. I also wrote about the Manager Evaluation Form and that I went around asking about it. I also told HR that I was told it was against company policy but wasn't sure if that was true. Then explained that even though it was suppose to be anonymous that it would not be hard to figure out I wrote it. I also told HR that I emailed it to myself and if they wanted to read it I would send it.

They asked me to send it, which I did. I told HR that my evaluation of person B was not good, but it was my honest opinion of what I saw and felt. On Monday I was told by HR that they knew nothing about it and it was not a company policy. I was also told that person B's boss knew about it but not his boss. I asked what should I do about it since Friday past, the last day to turn it in. I was told that if they wanted to know everyone's opinion that I should turn it in, even though it was late. I turned it in.

What ended up happening was person B got extremely angry with it. I was told that he took it and showed several people, people who figured out who wrote it, like I said wouldn't be hard. Also which is totally against the rules. He then put a note on top of it saying that to who ever wrote this should go and talk to his boss about it and set it on the lunch table for everyone to see. That created a very hostile work environment between me and him. That was the last straw for me. I started to agree with the people that actually hated him.

One week later, 05-22-2010 I was pulled into his office by his boss. I was told that since I didn't trust in the direction he was taking the warehouse that I lacked supervision. I was also told that we were both boarder line hatred toward each other. A statement that was only true for him against me until the supposed "anonymous" Manager Evaluation Form came up. My shift was being changed effective immediately to 1st shift, 8am - 4:30pm, hours they know I can't do and I was to do nothing other than what he expressly told my to do. I did email back saying that they know I can't do 1st shift and I'll need at least a week to find affordable babysitter, which no matter how I juggle the finances I can’t afford, which is why I needed a 2nd or 3rd shift job.

I did talk to HR and I told them that they know as well as I that this is a push to get me to quit. HR’s silence after I said that confirmed I was correct. What will happen now is I’ll be given tasks that I won’t be able to accomplish, written up then fired so as I will not be able to even claim unemployment.

1 answer  |  asked May 22, 2010 06:47 AM [EST]  |  applies to Ohio

Answers (1)

Bruce Elfvin
The shift change with the knowledge of your child care situation may end up convincing ODJFS that you should get unemployment benefits. Your description shows a very ugly situation, but does not focus at all on any illegal basis for the actions against you. In essence, a hostile work environment because of sex, or race, or national origin are all illegal. The supervisor being a jerk and irrational while offensive is not the same as illegal. You should nonetheless file a charge and focus on differences in treatment due to gender.

You also should see an employment lawyer near you to discuss the issues and go over what you have to see whether or not you have a good claim. You can select one at: www.oelasmart.net/directory

posted by Bruce Elfvin  |  Jun 25, 2010 3:02 PM [EST]

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