Employer intimidation tactics

[Torellian]

What is the name of your state? WI

I just posted a long version of what I'm going to say here, but there ended up being an internet error, so here's the Reader's Digest version:

Can a human resources manager hold a meeting alone with an employee behind closed doors to say intimidating things and try to basically encourage the employee to quit, and then forbid the employee from talking to anyone about it under the threat of being terminated, saying that the meeting was "confidential" in nature? This would effectively bar an employee from seeking counsel from anyone in the company. This is what has happened to me, and it has now happened twice in 1 week. I just wish I could have had a tape recorder with me to record what was said to me so I could prove it to one of his superiors so they would think I was making up the whole thing. As it stands now, if I report this guy, they would only have my word to go on, and then if I wasn't believed, I could be fired for talking about what was said at this "confidential" meeting.

Can they legally fire me for that? Also, I know there are miniature voice recorders and mini cassette recorders that can fit easily in a shirt pocket, but don't own one yet. Would anyone consider it advisable for me to record the next conversation with this guy so I have proof of what he's doing, or would it just be better to quit this job and move on? (Although doing so allows this guy to get what he wants through intimidating others)

 

[cbg]

Based SOLELY on what you have posted, no laws have been violated, but more information about the specifics would be required to give you a definite answer.

 

[Beth3]

Can a human resources manager hold a meeting alone with an employee behind closed doors to say intimidating things and try to basically encourage the employee to quit, and then forbid the employee from talking to anyone about it under the threat of being terminated, saying that the meeting was "confidential" in nature? Yes.

Can they legally fire me for that? Yes.

FYI, Wisconsin only requires "one party" consent to record someone but that wouldn't prevent your employer from taking exception to your tape recording a member of management (even if it proves he's a big jerk) and firing you. What you haven't explained and which may have some bearing on your situation is WHY the HR Manager is talking to you secretly and tryinig to get you to quit.