I got called into a meeting last week and I was not allowed to know what it was about although I asked. It was with HR and our exec director who is incredibly demeaning to her employees, my supervisor, and my coworkers. As such I was concerned about attending. But I composed myself as I had done nothing wrong.
I was called into the execs office and HR was there to read me a statement. They said it was to reviewing employee handbooks social media policy. They then read me an essay long statement about how members of the community had gone to the exec to ask about whether I worked at her organization. She told them yes and they sent her screenshots of my posts about free Palestine. Specifically, I had used a laughing emoji to express disbelief at the outrage of the removal of an Israeli flag in our community. All of my posts commenting saying Palestine will be free were removed on this platform, but she said screenshots — plural. They said that I was violating company policy by not being compassionate.
They said they hoped this was a “learning experience” for me and at this point I was raging. So I said thanks it was, and couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
Shortly after the first meeting I vented to everyone in the office despite the exec not telling my manager or supervisor about what the meeting was about. They all took my side and were in disbelief about my threats to free speech.
Two nights later I posted something about the genocide and I said from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. I wanted folks to know that this community stands against genocide. Someone from the community who knows the exec commented on my post that that was antisemitic hate speech calling for death of Jewish people and then my post got taken down for “being off topic”. Still confused about this tactic to say that Palestinian liberation is antisemitism.
The next day I got a calendar invite titled “follow up conversation”
So I sent a message to the exec and HR saying that I was concerned that there was not an open dialogue at the past meeting and clarified my right to use the emoji to express disbelief as freedom of speech. As there was no room for conversation I said I was troubled at harmful accusations that were conflated and the discourse of my workplace to community members. I said I appreciate the opportunity to have a follow up conversation, but I would prefer an email dialogue where nothing could be misconstrued. I emphasized I do not represent the organization on my off time and to suggest that I do blurs boundaries without my consent.
The exec then sent me a nasty email saying she had consulted with an employment law attorney and threatened to take “disciplinary action” against me for “insubordination” as that all meetings were mandatory if called by a supervisor. She said she would be calling a meeting again soon and if I declined I would face disciplinary action.
I am tired of her abuse. She is unsafe to others at the organization and is extremely controlling. There are so many situations in which she has been demeaning to others to control how things happen, overriding any other opinions or expertise.
I am drafting an email saying how her threats make me feel unsafe, unnecessarily escalate tensions, and violate boundaries. Also saying: I am more than willing to engage in a productive discussion to address any issues or concerns. However, given the sensitivity of this matter I would prefer to communicate via email. I believe that this will allow for a more measured and constructive exchange of ideas.
Tired of this.