Legal Question in Employment Law in Arizona

Wrongfully Accused

I have worked at the same school for three years. During the first two years of my employment I was liked and trusted by my supervisors so much so that I was given extra resposibilties beyond teaching. My supervisor and his wife work in administration. Since Nov of '01 I have been wrongfully accused by the wife and intimidated by my supervisor. My extra responsibiities have been stripped. During one meeting he admitted that no matter what his wife says it is true. I have been written up twice for incidents which she exaggerated. My supervisor has threatened my employment, I would be fired, my program in the school is not needed, I am expendable. He has never given me any idea of how or what to change. Last week my employer verbally told me that my contract would not be renewed next school year and that I shouldn't cause any problems while I am finishing this year. Yesterday the assistant director informed me that I am being watched and my conversations are being tracked, I should watch my back. Have my rights been violated? Is it within my supervisors power to intimidate me to the point where I am afraid to converse with my peers for fear of being fired?


Asked on 5/07/02, 5:36 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Re: Wrongfully Accused

You do not say what you have been accused of, so it is difficult to address your problems specifically. However, if you work for a public school, the school district has a grievance procedure available to you. Usually the grievance procedure gives you the opportunity to make your complaint over the heads of the persons who you feel are being unfair - in this case a supervisor. Once the grievance has been made, the district will most likely have someone outside the school environment investigate the situation. They may offer you the opportunity to mediate the problem, or they may take other action.

If you work for a private school, they may or may not have a formal grievance procedure. If they do, you should probably investigate the procedure and consider proceding with a grievance. If they do not, you may wish to consult an employment lawyer about the facts of your case. In fact, you may wish to do that anyway, even if you do work for a public school, just to give you a better sense of your legal rights. It's very difficult for me to speak to your situation because your facts are vague - although I respect your need to be vague since you are "posting" your problem.

Without knowing more, I cannot make further suggestions. I am a lawyer, but I specialize in mediating cases like yours, and do not take on client representations. However, I would be happy to help you find an attorney if you decide you'd like to talk to someone. In the meantime, I suggest you investigate the internal grievance process for your school.

Read more
Answered on 5/07/02, 7:31 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Labor and Employment Law questions and answers in Arizona