Legal Question in Employment Law in Florida

Compliance Officer not in compliance

I have worked in my current company for many years.Throughout that time we have had a small minded little man working as our compliance officer. Recently, one of my subordinates was injured in an automobile accident while working. When he returned to work our compliance officer sat him down in an office (not his own) and proceeded to question him about the accident. I walked into this office, unaware that he was questioning him, and the employee asked me an unrelated question in Spanish, I responded to the question in Spanish, since his English is somewhat poor. Today I was approached by the President of the company and informed that the compliance Officer had made an accusation to the C.E.O. that I was ''coaching'' and assisting my subordinate in a claim against the company, and had probably told my subordinate in Spanish, not to answer his questions. I confronted the compliance Officer and he stated, in the presence of witnesses, that it was his opinion that I had coached him because we spoke in Spanish in front of him.He then lectured me that this is America and America's language is English. I am fed up. I've watched this individual make so many of my fellow employees miserable over the years. What should I do?


Asked on 7/01/03, 11:44 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Keith Stern Shavitz Law Group

Re: Compliance Officer not in compliance

There does not appear to be any clear area that the employer's conduct would fall into in terms of constituting a violation of the law. However, if you feel you are being discriminated against based upon your race or national origin, you could contact the EEOC and file a Charge of Discrimination.

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Answered on 7/04/03, 11:12 am


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