On July 19th, I sent this email to the CEO of my company. A lot of gross behavior had been taking place at my work and I wanted to report some of it. I was not the only person who had emailed B, about our manager, “N”, but I thought it necessary given a recent interaction detailed in the email. B replied asking me to meet up to discuss it, but nothing else. I did not receive a text or call from my boss, “N”, or any further communication from “B”, the CEO. It’s a small local chain with three locations, so it’s easy to get ahold of higher-up’s, but I do not know the contacts for HR or B’s higher-up.
I had been out for surgery and going to a college event, so I was not planning to work until Saturday, August 27th. There was a week where I could have worked before I left for New York (college event) and I asked N for hours. He did not give me any, and that is when I applied to a sister company that specializes in smoothies (this is owned by the same corporation and is founded by the same family, but is not managed by them). I also emailed B on this same day.
Today, I saw I was not in the schedule and texted N for details. He almost immediately called me and told me then that he had terminated my employment on July 19th. He said it was for “stirring the pot” and thought “(my) behavior was not what (we) are trying to do here”. I asked him how I should have possible known that I wasn’t working at my job anymore if he chose to inform me a month later. He said he was going to wait until I was back in town, and I said I was in another state for my cousins wedding. N then *very snarkily* asked how I was applying to the smoothie place if I was “out of town”. He said, “Oh, and yes, I talked to the manager there. He asked what I thought about you and I gave my honest opinion”. I told him that I was thinking about leaving my job during the time I was recovering from surgery, and said that I applied to the smoothie place during the time he wouldn’t give me any hours (the week before I left for New York). I asked for specific examples of my “pot stirring” and he said that B had showed him my email and he thought that it was starting drama. I ended the conversation there.
I did not record the call, even though I should have, given I knew what was coming the second I saw the notification. To be honest, I know it’s not worth it, given the fact everywhere in my area is hiring right now and it would not be hard to find a new job. It’s really a pride thing for me. I think someone needs to take N off of his high horse and do something about this power trip he’s on. I don’t want to be punished for doing the right thing. Any advice? Thank you 🙂