Expert: Alice J. Bogert - 1/5/2009

Question
Please help me with this letter. I am no good with writing, but I want the EEOC to know that I have a claim. I have since lost my job and need assistnace.

Thank You



I have been working for ---- Care for 10 years with not much of an incident. I began having trouble at work for about a year.

Cy---, whom is  different color than I am, and is a nursing consultant for the company, came often to assess the nursing aspect of the home. She would often critique my work and tell me what a horrible job I was doing and that I just needed to quit. She would have me in tears. When we had FPA last year Cy--- had a meeting with all of the department heads.  She went around the room telling everyone that they were doing a good job. When she got to me she only ridiculed me, told me I was doing a horrible job, and talked about my job performance. She said that I could help the DON more and that I was behind on my work. She had me in tears, so I left the room. I calmed down and then returned to the meeting. She continued to tell me what I messed up on, but she wouldn’t give me direct examples or charts to show me where my errors were. She also told me that I was salary and she didn’t care if I had to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, if I had to work the floor for 8 hours, I was to still stay and complete my main job (because I’m on salary). I was to stay and get the job done regardless if I had to get a babysitter.

I finally got enough of how she has treated others including myself, so I finally told Tom about the situation. I guess he said something to her because the next time she saw me, she said, “I’m going to get you one way or another!” and walked off. Since this day, things have done nothing but get worse because I took a stand for others including myself. There has been many times where Cynthia has done nothing but ridicule my work, belittle me in front of other employees or customers, and handled situations with complete unprofessionalism. I have yet to hear her compliment me, encourage me, or even take the notion to let me know what I might be able to improve on.

There were several incidents where C-- would criticize my job performance, but wouldn’t show me charts or examples of what I had done wrong. She would often tell me, “I called S--F-- and told her: You’re not doing good in “this or that.”” I would often ask her how I can improve, but she would not give examples of what I was doing wrong. Even though she knew I had a heavy work load, Cy-- continued adding more work to me than she knew I could handle. I was constantly given jobs that others did not want to do. She has told me many times, “You might as well quit.” I had been continuously humiliated openly at work in front of other co-workers by Cy--- and K--, and several co-workers followed their example and began doing the same thing.

Ever since this incident, work has gone down hill. When she spoke to me, she would mostly be critical of my work. She continued to insult my work but would not tell me how to improve my work performance.  She would tell me, “I called S--F-- and told her, You are constantly messing up.”  I would often ask her how I can improve, but she would not give examples of what I was doing wrong.  Even though she knew I had a heavy work load, Cy-- continued adding more work to me than she knew I could handle. I was constantly given jobs that others did not want to do. She has told me many times, “You might as well quit.” I had been continuously humiliated openly at work in front of other co-workers by Cy--- and K--, and several co-workers followed their example and began doing the same thing.

I am praying that you will at least care enough to look into this matter, if not for me, than at least for my family’s sake. Thank you so much for your time and effort in this matter. Anything you do will be much appreciated!

Sincerely,  

Answer
Dear Katria,

I am sorry. I misread your request and didn't realize you wanted the information you provided put into a letter for an EEOC claim.  I apologized for giving you a response that wasn't helpful or on point.

Unfortunately, I am leaving town on business for the next couple of days, and I don't have the time to draft a letter for you.  If you can wait until 1/8, I will be happy to assist you.

One thing that is important with these types of claims is that you have the date and place each offensive act took place, providing the names of witnesses who may have seen/heard some of the offensive behavior directed at you.  Give that some thought, and if you can wait for my response, I'll be glad to help you.  Let me know if you can wait or if you will seek more timely help from another expert.  

Take care,

Alice J. Bogert