A request for my friend

[saphoenixsilver]

Basically ladies and gentelmen, I'm writing this request for good thoughts and energies on behalf of one of my best friends. I got a call from her this morning saying that she might loose her job, of course I was upset for her but couldn't do much because I didn't know why. Well, I just got home from having lunch with her and now have the full story and I am very upset that someone is hateful enough to do this to her. My friend has been in retail for quite some time now, has two children and is wiccan. She does wear a pentical and so it is out there for people to see. Well today she found out that someone wrote Home Office a very irate e-mail saying that last week she refused to help his daughters, told them their cross offended her, laughed at their cross, and told them that there was no manager in the store when they requested one. She is very similar to me in that she doesn't care what people believe to worship, in both or our opinions you could worship a bag of Cheetos and a Coke and we wouldn't care. She would NEVER do any of those things but because this guys daughters chose to tell him a lie, he is trying to get her fired and it looks like he may succeed. So I'm asking that if any of you could find it in your hearts to send her some good vibes. She truly does not deserve this, she is a good person and just bought a house so she has a mortgage and her two children to support. Thank you.

[Ysobelle]

She needs to put exactly what DID happen in writing and get it to HR FAST.

Yeah, some people ARE hateful. But if they fire her with an otherwise good record, they could be sued for religious discrimination, and I'm guessing they know it. She may be lucky, but she HAS to be pro-active!

[saphoenixsilver]

She's already faxed her story to HR, she doesn't even remember making any one upset last week, and she would so would I because we tell eachother about what goes on when either of us has a bad day. She's already asked me to take her to unemployment and the like if they do fire her and I agreed to of course. I just feel so horrible that someone would do that to her.

[Buxom Wench]

I will presume that your friend lives near you?

In that case, clear the runway all, good vibes and excellent karma are flying down to Texas. With everyone putting out positive energy for her, she should be great. :grouphug:

[Absinthe d'Accalia]

You got it! The mean folks that wrote the email should be looking over their shoulder for that big ol' Karma train that's going to eventually catch up to them...

[Kae]

Karma is a wonderful thing. :wink:

She should definately talk with HR directly and see what is happening. Religious discrimination is up in Texas, but so are the lawsuits of us fighting it. No store wants the bad advertising.

Kae

[Wolves Lady]

Good thoghts and karma heading her way!

It never ceases to amaze me what narrow minded people are capable of - I am sure the idiot who registered the complaints feels justified in some weird area of his mind.

Argh! :roll:

[saphoenixsilver]

Well my friend still has her job but it's getting worse. Her GM told her not to talk about "that wicca stuff because it's not a religion, it's a cult." Then today the guy that's doing this called the store looking for her. Her co worker told him she wasn't there so he requested to speak to her RM who works at HO not at her store. The guy proceeded to get irate when her coworker couldn't give him the information he wanted and stated he wanted to know when that "Bitch" would be in. Luckily today was my friends day off, but she's terrified to go to work tomorrow. I don't know what to tell her. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Rhia]

Well my friend still has her job but it's getting worse. Her GM told her not to talk about "that wicca stuff because it's not a religion, it's a cult." Then today the guy that's doing this called the store looking for her. Her co worker told him she wasn't there so he requested to speak to her RM who works at HO not at her store. The guy proceeded to get irate when her coworker couldn't give him the information he wanted and stated he wanted to know when that "Bitch" would be in. Luckily today was my friends day off, but she's terrified to go to work tomorrow. I don't know what to tell her. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Tell the manager of the store what happened and that she feels threatened. Employers are responsible for maintaining a safe work environment. If this man is now getting aggressive with other employees as well, the management needs to seriously consider getting involved here.

If she feels VERY threatened or the store is unwilling to help, you can always call the police station (not 911!) and report the incident. They won't be able to do a whole lot as he hasn't actually threatened her, but it will be on record as a pattern.

[ambar]

This sounds like it's getting dangerously close to stalking.

1. Tried to get her fired without provocation.
2. Harassement at the place of work.
3. Harassing employees for information regarding the person.

I wonder if she can file a restraining order?

[Kae]

Have her talk with the person in charge of HR because what the GM said is religious discrimination. It will also help them take this "person" seriously.

Kae

PS - Tell her to find a new job because that one sounds horrid.

[Emrld]

I do know that the city in which I live in it is against the law to use profanity on the phone to a female at work.
Check with the local police department and see if that is the case. The next time the male calls and uses profanity all the employee has to do is say "I am sorry but I do not appreciate that type of language I am hanging up now" and then hang up.
Stating why you are hanging up with a reason like language (or can't hear the other end) are supposed to be appropriate - HR approved ways of ending a call.

[saphoenixsilver]

Thank you all for all of your reccomendations. Her job is finally pulling it's head out of it's rear and taking steps to protect her. It took her going to the head of HR to get things done, but they're taking steps. They have an exit plan for her and are trying to transfer her into home office so that she doesn't have to deal with customers face to face which is a good thing. Hopefully everything will work out, or she'll find another job.