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Discrimination at work

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ShadowRed

Junior Member
What is the name of your state?Texas


Ok I have a really big problem and could really use some
sort of help to see if and what I should do legally if
possible. Currently I am employed at a job in which a
rumor has been spread that I am gay. For the record I am
not. Prior to this rumor being spread I had no problems
with my supervisors or coworkers. Afterward I was
shunned, isolated from the rest of the work team and made
to work single handed on projects that required two people
or give instruction to perform nut not trained to do them.
This resulted in my work being completed slowly or with
mistakes because I had no direction. Thus being
reprimanded. I have also over heard conversations in
which I was called many vicious and hateful names such as
dirty, cocksucker, freak, fag homo, etc... No one has
ever made an overt comment to me. I at one time became so
dismayed at the situation that I quiet. The next day the
department supervisor called me and asked why I had left.
I informed him of the situation and he told me that he had
no knowledge of the situation. He informed me that I was
a good worker and that he hated to leave me. Since he had
made it clear that he knew about the situation that had
happened to me I told him I would love to come back,
assuming he would solve the problems. He agreed and moved
me to a different work group. The same problems soon
arose. Just yesterday I got wind that my direct
supervisors and the rest of my team were actively trying
to get me fired the day before Christmas Eve. Emotionally
I am a wreck. The stress of having to go to work and hear
things so vile about you is tremendous. I've skipped
meals, had trouble sleeping and am preoccupied by this
situation. I'm contemplating quitting the first working
day after the holidays, provided I'm not fired tomorrow.
My question is what are my legal options or do I even have
any?


The second part of my problem is that I have somewhat
tracked down the source of the rumors. They go back to my
previous job in which I had a difficult client. It seems
either someone at my current job is related to this person
or they have either relayed through that person or have
personally spoken with my co workers. The other scenario
is that she somehow got access to my new job and contacted
them. I was made aware shortly before I left the company
that she was making these claims about me. I was
responsible for that client for a year and a half and only
had contact with her maybe 20 times indirectly so while
annoyed at her claims it didn't affect my job. My
question on this matter is do I have a claim for
defamation of character and if so what do I have to prove
to win a judgment? Thank you for your suggestions.
 


BelizeBreeze

Senior Member
You have GOT to be kidding.

First, you have no proof that anyone has called you gay.

Second, calling someone gay is not discrimination.

Third, you have said yourself that nothing but 'rumors' have occured at work.

In other words, quit again or grow up.

OR, turn gay.
 

Beth3

Senior Member
The first part of your post doesn't make much sense. If your supervisor wants you gone because he and others suspect you're gay, then why would he have called you after you walked off the job and hired you back? By far the easiest course of action for him at that point would have been to do nothing. Maybe co-workers aren't being nice to you for some reason but my instincts tell me that much of what you think is going on is in your head.

It also seems likely that this former client being responsible for the supposed rumors is primarily speculation on your part but if you want to know whether you have a claim for defamation you need to consult with a local attorney.
 

ShadowRed

Junior Member
Beth3 said:
The first part of your post doesn't make much sense. If your supervisor wants you gone because he and others suspect you're gay, then why would he have called you after you walked off the job and hired you back? By far the easiest course of action for him at that point would have been to do nothing. Maybe co-workers aren't being nice to you for some reason but my instincts tell me that much of what you think is going on is in your head.

It also seems likely that this former client being responsible for the supposed rumors is primarily speculation on your part but if you want to know whether you have a claim for defamation you need to consult with a local attorney.



I miswrote the part about my supervisor I ment the department head who is above my supervisor called me about my leaving. As far as this being in my head. I have heard them very explicitly referring to me. I'm not being over sinsitive or looking for a resason to sue. It's just the opposite I like this particular job to the point of coming back to it even after all I know is happening. It's somewhat difficuilt to explain on the board. Also the change in their demeanor and ostricizing me in conjunction with their back talking is the problem. It's not as if I'm being called names and the rest of the working conditions are fine.
 

Beth3

Senior Member
Okay. I think what's happening is totally unacceptable but it does not constitute prohibited harassment or discrimination. Your recourse is to complain to management about the way you're being treated and hope they do something about it.

You'll need to see an attorney to determine whether you have the basis for civil action against the former client you think started these rumors. Be advised that the burden of proof is on you.
 

BelleAmie

Junior Member
Hi!

I'm in Virginia and I'm not a lawyer. But the first thing to do would be to go to this woman and tell her you have heard that she is spreading gossip about you. But only if you have someone who said "X told me you are gay." But have one of your friends as a witness, and do it in a place where she won't start a fight. And don't you start one either. Tell her you know about it, and that you will tell everyone of her petty attempts to defame you. Also, don't bother threatening her with a lawsuit yet. Slander or libel, someone has to do something that costs you money. Also, they have the upper hand, always with this type of allegation, because you have to prove a NOT. You have to prove you aren't gay. If that wouldn't be the most horrifying thing in the world to deal with in court I don't know what would. Have you taken her name and previous addresses and looked her up on the free public search criminal records? Some charges are hallmarks of a liar, filing a false report, or false witnessing, or perjury. I would hire a private investigator and find out everything about her. Then I would give her a big dose of her own medicine. If she's a pathological liar, or has done this before to others, and leopards typically do not change your spots, you have at least one other person who will back you up.
Good luck. I'd still look for another job. This one doesn't sound like it's worth it; why do your co-workers believe her?




ShadowRed said:
What is the name of your state?Texas


Ok I have a really big problem and could really use some
sort of help to see if and what I should do legally if
possible. Currently I am employed at a job in which a
rumor has been spread that I am gay. For the record I am
not. Prior to this rumor being spread I had no problems
with my supervisors or coworkers. Afterward I was
shunned, isolated from the rest of the work team and made
to work single handed on projects that required two people
or give instruction to perform nut not trained to do them.
This resulted in my work being completed slowly or with
mistakes because I had no direction. Thus being
reprimanded. I have also over heard conversations in
which I was called many vicious and hateful names such as
dirty, cocksucker, freak, fag homo, etc... No one has
ever made an overt comment to me. I at one time became so
dismayed at the situation that I quiet. The next day the
department supervisor called me and asked why I had left.
I informed him of the situation and he told me that he had
no knowledge of the situation. He informed me that I was
a good worker and that he hated to leave me. Since he had
made it clear that he knew about the situation that had
happened to me I told him I would love to come back,
assuming he would solve the problems. He agreed and moved
me to a different work group. The same problems soon
arose. Just yesterday I got wind that my direct
supervisors and the rest of my team were actively trying
to get me fired the day before Christmas Eve. Emotionally
I am a wreck. The stress of having to go to work and hear
things so vile about you is tremendous. I've skipped
meals, had trouble sleeping and am preoccupied by this
situation. I'm contemplating quitting the first working
day after the holidays, provided I'm not fired tomorrow.
My question is what are my legal options or do I even have
any?


The second part of my problem is that I have somewhat
tracked down the source of the rumors. They go back to my
previous job in which I had a difficult client. It seems
either someone at my current job is related to this person
or they have either relayed through that person or have
personally spoken with my co workers. The other scenario
is that she somehow got access to my new job and contacted
them. I was made aware shortly before I left the company
that she was making these claims about me. I was
responsible for that client for a year and a half and only
had contact with her maybe 20 times indirectly so while
annoyed at her claims it didn't affect my job. My
question on this matter is do I have a claim for
defamation of character and if so what do I have to prove
to win a judgment? Thank you for your suggestions.
 

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