forced to quit/discrimination-MD

[vernita]

What is the name of your state?I was hired 1 year and 1/2 ago as a Java software developer. Since I have been employed, I have consistently been given tasks that do not allow me to develop software using Java, which is what I thought I was hire to do. When I asked to be given tasks that were more appropriate to my job title, I was told that anything that I'm asked to do which benefit the company is part of my job description. Since I have been complaining, my manager has started to pick at everything I do in order to get me to quit. I have been looking for a new job. However, because I work in the technology field and I have not been utilizing my skill for over a year, I’m having problems finding a new job. There are other people in my department which are given tasks appropriate to their job title. Someone told me that I might be a victim of discrimination. However I'm the only African American in my department. So I have no way showing a pattern of this type of treatment with African Americans. I am ready to just quit without another job. But this seems unfair to me, since I was told that was going to be doing Java development when I was hire.

Also there isn't anyone in the company to which I can complain. My manager is a Vice President and has been with the company for 20 years. She has more power than the president of the company.

In addition, prior to this job, I have had an excellent 10 year as software developer. I have been rewarded many times for my skills and abilities and I'm one of the most skilled people in my department. Anytime the company bids on a contract, I'm asked by the president to submit my resume which seems to anger my manager and results in her giving me more menial tasks. Do I have any rights or means to legally to stand up for myself?

 

[Beth3]

When I asked to be given tasks that were more appropriate to my job title, I was told that anything that I'm asked to do which benefit the company is part of my job description. Which is true for everyone; not just you.

However I'm the only African American in my department. So I have no way showing a pattern of this type of treatment with African Americans. It is illogical to believe management decided to hire a black Java programmer simply to give him job duties he wouldn't like. If they had a problem with your race, they wouldn't have hired you in the first place.

Anytime the company bids on a contract, I'm asked by the president to submit my resume which seems to anger my manager and results in her giving me more menial tasks. Even if there's a connection between the two (which also seems unlikely), that's not illegal.

Do I have any rights or means to legally to stand up for myself? You have the right to find other employment that is more suitable. Like many others, you took a new job which didn't turn out to be what you hoped it would. Nothing you have shared remotely suggests anything prohibited is taking place.