What is the name of your state? Illinois
I work for a small store where the owner is in all day. I work as a part-time cashier. I've been there for over a year and he is satisfied with my performance and has mentioned that he trusts me completely on the register.
However the store hasn't been doing well due to increased competition and he is trying to save money. I had other duties until recently, and he cut my hours and is now doing that job himself. He is also convinced that anybody will steal from him given half a chance.
Here is the problem.
Yesterday (on a payday) I asked for my paycheck (sometimes he forgets).
He started making a joke about how one of the employees forfeits hes/her paycheck on a payday and this time I was the unlucky one. The new manager
who happens to be the favorite and best paid employee in the store was standing there listening when all of a sudden he (the new manager) says (seemingly as a joke) "and once a week she steals $150.00 from the register".
I didn't find the "joke" entertaining, to say the least, but I didn't react fearing that overreacting might implicate me instead of helping. I am upset because my employer didn't reprimand the manager, and he (the owner) might think that there is substance to the "joke". I am extremely honest. I am afraid that the owner might set me up to replace me with someone cheaper and then my reputation will be damaged forever. It is a very small religious community where just about everybody knows me. The store does have a modern computer-controlled surveillance system. I can't quit. I am miserable. What do I say if the "joke" is repeated? I feel this is slander. Thank you.
CLARIFICATION: I AM UPSET WITH THE ACCUSATION THAT I STEAL FROM THE REGISTER (MADE BY THE NEW MANAGER - even as a joke). NOT WITH THE OWNER (even though HIS joke was stupid).
I work for a small store where the owner is in all day. I work as a part-time cashier. I've been there for over a year and he is satisfied with my performance and has mentioned that he trusts me completely on the register.
However the store hasn't been doing well due to increased competition and he is trying to save money. I had other duties until recently, and he cut my hours and is now doing that job himself. He is also convinced that anybody will steal from him given half a chance.
Here is the problem.
Yesterday (on a payday) I asked for my paycheck (sometimes he forgets).
He started making a joke about how one of the employees forfeits hes/her paycheck on a payday and this time I was the unlucky one. The new manager
who happens to be the favorite and best paid employee in the store was standing there listening when all of a sudden he (the new manager) says (seemingly as a joke) "and once a week she steals $150.00 from the register".
I didn't find the "joke" entertaining, to say the least, but I didn't react fearing that overreacting might implicate me instead of helping. I am upset because my employer didn't reprimand the manager, and he (the owner) might think that there is substance to the "joke". I am extremely honest. I am afraid that the owner might set me up to replace me with someone cheaper and then my reputation will be damaged forever. It is a very small religious community where just about everybody knows me. The store does have a modern computer-controlled surveillance system. I can't quit. I am miserable. What do I say if the "joke" is repeated? I feel this is slander. Thank you.
CLARIFICATION: I AM UPSET WITH THE ACCUSATION THAT I STEAL FROM THE REGISTER (MADE BY THE NEW MANAGER - even as a joke). NOT WITH THE OWNER (even though HIS joke was stupid).
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