Upst8NYGuy
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? NY
Hello all.. A first time poster with a rather in depth (at least to me) question.
I was terminated last Tuesday six days before my 60 day probationary period ended. I was given a reason of "It's just not working out" and "I just don't think you'll fit into the big picture". I had been making a decent $12/hr starting wage and actually enjoyed my time there. I was told that my termination was agreed upon by the owner, store manager and my immediate manager.
Now about 45 days into my employment the company did it's quarterly employee reviews and I got excellent reviews in every area except timeclock usage (I had some late punches). Several times during the review a couple of my projects were called "pure genius" by the owner of the company (doing the review).
A couple days after the review (about a week before my termination) I pointed out to the owner that the company was buying and selling some items that are illegal to possess/buy/sell in NY. The company does enough business in this particular merchandise that the activities would be Class A Felonies. The particular items are illegal under state firearms laws but not federal law. My immediate manager was privy to the conversation as well as he was in the same room during the conversation.
I was told by the owner that he had discussed it with a friend of his that was a police officer and that he had nothing to worry about. I gave him a full unabridged copy of the relevant law and asked him to read it over.
There were other illegal activities that would qualify as international customs & mail fraud also that were discussed on another day with my immediate manager. He just shrugged and said it's standard policy.
I honestly believe that I was term'ed because I brought these activities to the owner and he somehow sees me as a threat. Do I have any recourse? Do I bring the activities to the authorities? Do I get an attorney and discuss wrongful termination? Before or after I contact the authorities? Would the state department of labor take an entire report including the activities and contact the proper authorities? Where do I start?
Upst8NYGuy
Hello all.. A first time poster with a rather in depth (at least to me) question.
I was terminated last Tuesday six days before my 60 day probationary period ended. I was given a reason of "It's just not working out" and "I just don't think you'll fit into the big picture". I had been making a decent $12/hr starting wage and actually enjoyed my time there. I was told that my termination was agreed upon by the owner, store manager and my immediate manager.
Now about 45 days into my employment the company did it's quarterly employee reviews and I got excellent reviews in every area except timeclock usage (I had some late punches). Several times during the review a couple of my projects were called "pure genius" by the owner of the company (doing the review).
A couple days after the review (about a week before my termination) I pointed out to the owner that the company was buying and selling some items that are illegal to possess/buy/sell in NY. The company does enough business in this particular merchandise that the activities would be Class A Felonies. The particular items are illegal under state firearms laws but not federal law. My immediate manager was privy to the conversation as well as he was in the same room during the conversation.
I was told by the owner that he had discussed it with a friend of his that was a police officer and that he had nothing to worry about. I gave him a full unabridged copy of the relevant law and asked him to read it over.
There were other illegal activities that would qualify as international customs & mail fraud also that were discussed on another day with my immediate manager. He just shrugged and said it's standard policy.
I honestly believe that I was term'ed because I brought these activities to the owner and he somehow sees me as a threat. Do I have any recourse? Do I bring the activities to the authorities? Do I get an attorney and discuss wrongful termination? Before or after I contact the authorities? Would the state department of labor take an entire report including the activities and contact the proper authorities? Where do I start?
Upst8NYGuy