STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

kenzie · Chanel

Any lawyers around? I need help (former employer related)

NCshopper · Hermes

Are you shitting me??? That's insane! I'm not a lawyer (obvs), so I don't have any good advice to give. I'm just really sorry you're going through this. That's completely horrible.

kenzie · Chanel

I'm completely serious. I have a consult with a lawyer next week because they also cut off my dental insurance a week before I was laid off but charged me for it through May 20. So, they owe me some cash. And a public apology.

I'm so stressed and depressed over this. I don't want to go to interviews until I get this taken care of, because 1) it's hard to pull myself together right now because this accusation calls into question the thing I consider most valuable- honesty and integrity; and 2) what if a potential employer calls them and they lie to them about me? I had an interview today that went well, but who knows what will happen if they call this idiot. I just can't even believe this is even happening. There are some evil, vindictive people in this world.

I actually have had several people (who met my old boss and including DH's mother) say that they think he had a weird infatuation/thing for me and he's retaliating because it didn't materialize. I think that is about the sickest, most twisted thing I could even think of. But the guy did enjoy comparing me to his wife on a regular basis (and in a somewhat creepy, lecherous manner).

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

WOW that is awful. No legal advice per se, but you should definitely sue - did you have the agreement of payout in writing?

I wouldn't get so stressed over it, other than the obvious financial troubles it may have caused. This is NOT a reflection of who you are, your integrity or honesty. This is a shiesty boss who probably felt guilty about letting you go (for obvious reasons), over promised a pay-out, then when asked about it, had to create a reason to fix it to his boss.

I would NOT use anyone from the company as a reference. Future employers shouldn't be contacting them without your permission.

Don't let this stop you from interviewing - it could take a very long time before it's figured out.

kenzie · Chanel

Xtina, that's what other people said, too- that they are making up reasons because they don't want to pay me what they owe (I have the payment info in writing via email, which according to another lawyer I spoke to, should be enough to sue them). I mean, I had figured out this guy was a slimeball a while ago, but I never thought he'd stoop this low and decide to use me as a target for his hatred.

Is it too much to ask fir a semi-normal workplace? I feel like I've had the oddest work experiences. I think it's the area where I live. People are so freaking weird here.

Boots · Gucci

That's really awful. And this guy was a friend of yours?????

I wouldn't use the company as a reference either. List them on the resume and if an employer asks if they can contact them, I'd just say that it was a small company and the owner did not want to be bothered with a referral. I'd be very careful about what kind of info you give any prospective employers. You don't want them pre-judging you on this insane situation.

Good luck. I hope you make this wacko pay through the nose.

gossipgirl · Dooney & Bourke

I would start by contacting your State Employment agency. They are very pro-employee and may be able to help you for free. In CA it is called the EDD. You may actually get them in trouble - it is illegal for them to withhold money from your pay without YOUR authorization.

kenzie · Chanel

Things just keep going from bad to worse. Now they have cut off my unemployment compensation. I got my dates mixed up and thought this week was the 10th. I went online to pay my bills, and realized that it is the 17th and I haven't been paid in the past two weeks.

I have an appointment with a lawyer, but I don't have the money to pay to sue these assholes. DH and I would have been okay with me getting UC benefits, but without them, we are absolutely screwed.

And then there's my poor beagle, Meadow, who tore her ACL and might need surgery and we don't have money to pay for that and it's not covered by pet insurance during the first year of coverage. When will this shit stop? I don't know how much more I can take.

Suasoria · Chanel

I normally don't curse in public but that's fucked up.

I second gossipgirl - the state employment department is a good place to check out.

stardust · Kenneth Cole

Suasoria wrote:
I normally don't curse in public but that's fucked up.

I second gossipgirl - the state employment department is a good place to check out.

Totally agree! I don't have any legal advice but I'm so sorry. Having your character called into question is just disgusting and unbelievable. I'm so sorry about Meadow too- keeping you in my throughts. You just don't deserve any of this bullshit.