Right to Complain

[tomveil]

A senior manager at my company decided that because I was a foreigner, I would not stay in the country and forced my team leader to fire me. During the conversation with my team leader, it became clear that my ethnicity was a very big issue for the senior manager.

I want to complain to the head of the company detailing the events that occurred and the words used by my team leader.

My question - Can the company, or the team leader, or the senior manager involved sue me for libel if I write a letter of complaint to the head of the company?

Thank you,

Thomas

 

[Beth3]

Thomas, I need to ask you a question first. Do you have legal authorization to work in this country, such as a green card, an H1B visa, or some other work permit?

 

[tomveil]

Thanks for your reply - I am a US citizen, but have lived in Europe with my family until recently.

 

[Beth3]

Thank you.

A senior manager at my company decided that because I was a foreigner, I would not stay in the country and forced my team leader to fire me. During the conversation with my team leader, it became clear that my ethnicity was a very big issue for the senior manager.

I want to complain to the head of the company detailing the events that occurred and the words used by my team leader. If you were fired because of your ethnicity, race, or national origin, that is a violation of this country's discrimination laws. I suggest you contact Human Resources and/or the Company President immediately and see if they will rectify the situation and reinstate you. If that does not achieve the desired results, then file a complaint of prohibited discrimination with your State's equal rights division or the federal EEOC.

Can the company, or the team leader, or the senior manager involved sue me for libel if I write a letter of complaint to the head of the company? No. Simply stating the facts of what occurred and that you believe employment laws were violated is not libel. I'd refrain from any name-calling however. While that still may not be libel or defamation, it won't serve you well. You don't want the company president to dismiss your letter as a tirade from an angry ex-employee with an axe to grind.

You may also wish to consult with an employment law attorney. Good luck.

 

[tomveil]

Thank you again for your quick response.

I have no intention of name calling. But the name of all those involved will be used and what they said to me. There is no written record.

Is this a problem?
The manager can just deny having said those things.

 

[Beth3]

And the manager probably will. That still does not make it libel. You are free to share the facts as you understand them to be.

Why write a letter though? I'd first attempt to call the company president and speak to him over the phone.