What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NY
I have a complicated problem at work. I've worked for a private company for the last 6 years. The company has had two owners since I've been employed there. The upper management (not the owner) has been present since my employment began, they basically started the same time I did. The upper management came from another company I'll call Company X. Our company basically has become Company X, many of our employees coming from there working in all departments having different titles. Management from the time I've been there has gradually brought over friends and family from Company X giving them jobs where I work. The new owner trusts the upper management, we assume he's just happy as long as profits are good. Upper management favors the people they brought over giving them better salaries and positions. No seniority exists, people came over from Company X and acquired higher titles within a month of their hire that people have been working for years have yet to get. The original employees like myself I'll call "old" and others employed there up to 6 years and greater feel discriminated against b/c we're not from Company X. We haven't had a raise since the new owner took over the company in 2011. They have removed "old" people from higher positions to make room for themselves giving "old" people lesser titles. The people from Company X in addition to other new hires not from Company X all make higher salaries than the "old" people. People from Company X are given privileges not extended to the "old" employees such as the right to work from home. Some from Company X abuse time or steal time and the management covers for them since they all know each other and have a 15-20 year history. They come to work when they please, leave when they please and they still get paid. Their vacation isn't depleted it's like they have unlimited vacation taking many days off, but their vacation time remains the same. We the "old" employees don't feel that the owner is aware of these things. Management also changed the work schedules of employees in our department. People have been working the same schedule since they began their employment some for 11 years or more. We were not asked by management if we could work the new schedule, if it fit our lifestyle, we had to take it or leave it. The less desirable work schedules were given to the "old" employees or employees the management doesn't like and the better shifts were given to people from Company X and other new hires. Some "old" employees are forced to work permanent weekends forever while Company X employees can work weekdays. Company X employees and other new employees started their employment telling management when they can work and the schedule they need and management accommodates them. The "old" employees are tired of the employees from Company X being put up on a pedestal. They make it seem like we the "old" employees are inferior and not as productive as they, but this is not true. Sometimes we joke that if we went to Company X and worked there for awhile and then returned maybe we would get some respect. Our hands are tied and we the "old" employees have been thinking about seeking help. We're just going backwards not making as much money, not advancing, etc. so others from Company X can do so at our expense. Most of the "old" employees made more when we started our jobs 6-12 years ago. In this economy who can afford to go backwards.
Would we have a case for discrimination or other type of case? Thanks for any input...
I have a complicated problem at work. I've worked for a private company for the last 6 years. The company has had two owners since I've been employed there. The upper management (not the owner) has been present since my employment began, they basically started the same time I did. The upper management came from another company I'll call Company X. Our company basically has become Company X, many of our employees coming from there working in all departments having different titles. Management from the time I've been there has gradually brought over friends and family from Company X giving them jobs where I work. The new owner trusts the upper management, we assume he's just happy as long as profits are good. Upper management favors the people they brought over giving them better salaries and positions. No seniority exists, people came over from Company X and acquired higher titles within a month of their hire that people have been working for years have yet to get. The original employees like myself I'll call "old" and others employed there up to 6 years and greater feel discriminated against b/c we're not from Company X. We haven't had a raise since the new owner took over the company in 2011. They have removed "old" people from higher positions to make room for themselves giving "old" people lesser titles. The people from Company X in addition to other new hires not from Company X all make higher salaries than the "old" people. People from Company X are given privileges not extended to the "old" employees such as the right to work from home. Some from Company X abuse time or steal time and the management covers for them since they all know each other and have a 15-20 year history. They come to work when they please, leave when they please and they still get paid. Their vacation isn't depleted it's like they have unlimited vacation taking many days off, but their vacation time remains the same. We the "old" employees don't feel that the owner is aware of these things. Management also changed the work schedules of employees in our department. People have been working the same schedule since they began their employment some for 11 years or more. We were not asked by management if we could work the new schedule, if it fit our lifestyle, we had to take it or leave it. The less desirable work schedules were given to the "old" employees or employees the management doesn't like and the better shifts were given to people from Company X and other new hires. Some "old" employees are forced to work permanent weekends forever while Company X employees can work weekdays. Company X employees and other new employees started their employment telling management when they can work and the schedule they need and management accommodates them. The "old" employees are tired of the employees from Company X being put up on a pedestal. They make it seem like we the "old" employees are inferior and not as productive as they, but this is not true. Sometimes we joke that if we went to Company X and worked there for awhile and then returned maybe we would get some respect. Our hands are tied and we the "old" employees have been thinking about seeking help. We're just going backwards not making as much money, not advancing, etc. so others from Company X can do so at our expense. Most of the "old" employees made more when we started our jobs 6-12 years ago. In this economy who can afford to go backwards.
Would we have a case for discrimination or other type of case? Thanks for any input...
