Q–I work for a large hospital/medical center in the maintenance department. My co-worker, who is African-American, and I, who am of Polish national origin, have been continually referred to as “stupid nigger” and “stupid polack.” After making several complaints to the head of human resources, the result was that management labeled my co-worker as a troublemaker, fired him and threatened me with the same. I don’t understand why the hospital management won’t help. All we wanted was to be allowed to work in peace.
A–I, too, can’t understand how, in today’s world of harassment lawsuits, a hospital administrator could ignore such complaints. Your former co-worker should file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and use you as a witness to the abuses you both experienced. You can do the same, but know that any administrator who blatantly ignores discrimination laws will probably follow through with his threat and fire you for filing a charge against the hospital. But if you are fired, you can then file another charge claiming retaliation for filing a discrimination suit. Both of you may also want to find a labor and employment lawyer to represent you.
Q–I have been at my job for four years. I was an hourly employee until last year, when the company changed me over to salary. I always had worked 10-12 hour days, but now I make $400 less per month because I’m not paid for the overtime. Plus, I’m only allowed one 15-minute and one 30-minute break during the 10 hours at work. What can I do or can the company get away with this?
A–Differences in job responsibility determine whether you are an exempt (salaried) or a non-exempt (hourly) employee. A company can’t just put you on salary to make you an exempt employee; the duties of the job must change. It’s apparent that your company is still treating you like an hourly employee by allowing you a prescribed amount of break time. Call the Illinois Department of Labor (312-793-2800) to speak to a representative who will be able to determine whether you should file a charge against your company.
Q–I was six months pregnant when I interviewed and was hired. During my orientation, my supervisor said he never noticed that I was pregnant and asked why I didn’t say anything. I said that I didn’t mention it because he wouldn’t have hired me. Now that I have had my baby and returned to work, he has made my job very difficult and has written me up for disciplinary actions. I love my job and want to keep it, but my supervisor hates me.
A–Of course you could file a harassment charge, but let’s look at smoothing things over and keeping the job you love. Your boss is probably angry because he considers you to be dishonest for not being forthright about your situation. Legally, you don’t have to mention a pregnancy, but temporarily hiding a condition is no way to gain respect. Women are hired after being honest about being pregnant.
In your favor, by returning to work, you have shown him that you are a hard worker. You need to talk openly to your boss. Explain that you consider your job to be a career choice that you love, that you intend to work and do the best you can, and that being a mother is not going to take away from your performance. Apologize for assuming that he would not have hired you if he knew you were pregnant.
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Write to Lindsey Novak, Jobs, Room 400, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 60611, or via e-mail: AtWorkbyLN@aol.com. No phone calls, please.
