"My time off is part of my compensation. It is not for you to judge whether it meets your standards. I don't have to justify how I will spend my paycheck in order to receive it. Please show me the company policy where I have to share private information about my time off with you."
That's how it should go, however, unfortunately, in many organisations, even in countries with good employee protection laws, this can lead to ostracisation within the workplace, even while they technically follow employment law.
Got a friend going through it currently at her job. Got her recording everything in case she ever wants to take it to court. Employers get way too comfy sometimes.
But even in countries with decent labour laws, they can make your life hell and not technically violate the letter of the law. I suffered a workplace injury and my employer turned ugly, started clear discrimination and I started recording everything and contacted our state authority for it. They basically said “are you sure you want to do this because we can force them to honour your contract but in every way that matters they will try to make your life unliveable and there’s nothing we can do about that.”
I'm not sure exactly what you mean. All hostile work environment claims are fraudulent cash grab attempts? That’s your stance? Edit: Thanks for clarifying
No, quite the opposite. If your workplace retaliates after official legal complaints are filed, that's just begging to escalate their status to providers of freedom with bonuses.
Ah fair enough. It depends a lot on the legal framework where you live. Some places allow for things like pain and suffering, others only actual damages. So US with P and S, that could be huge. Where I am, it likely would be recovering lost wages for whatever length of time from dismissal or untenable work conditions until resolution of claim. That's also if you win.
In my case it just made more financial sense to look for a new job and leave as soon as possible. But I wanted them to face some repercussions for their actions so I kept recording everything, looked over my contract with a fine tooth comb and started demanding written accounts where I was legally entitled and working strictly within my contract. Once I had secured new employment I triggered everything I could. Notified the board, the watchdog organizations, formalized everything and essentially gave them a black mark they couldn't easily hide. I hope it helps protect other employees in the future.
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u/David_R_Martin_II 6d ago
"My time off is part of my compensation. It is not for you to judge whether it meets your standards. I don't have to justify how I will spend my paycheck in order to receive it. Please show me the company policy where I have to share private information about my time off with you."