Legal Question in Employment Law in New Jersey

Whistleblowing, hostile workplace

Good morning,

I was just fired from an insurance company. I was 'let go' within a round of sudden layoffs, but while others were told that they were being laid off , I alone was not told this. They hinted that I was fired for poor performance.

Two ranks above me was the dept. director. He demeans and insults his employees and harasses those who aren't his 'pets.' I started off in his good graces.

One day he suggested to me that I should tell a member to make a fraudulent statement. I reported this to his boss in good faith. His behavior changed. He started assigning me useless busy work and calling me in for smackdown sessions.

I was badly trained and my workload started to press on me. He was abusive when I went to him for help. I got sick from stress and stopped going to him, and my work piled up.

Last month he had me start training one of his pets to replace me. I went to his boss again with a long letter. She promised we would all talk, which didn't happen. Then my replacement asked for and got a work aid that I had asked for for eight months. I complained again. The overboss started to say that there was no discrimination in this (in)action, but she stopped short. That week I was fired.

Any thoughts? Thanks!


Asked on 1/18/06, 1:35 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Edward Fronczkiewicz, Jr. Miksch and Fronczkiewicz

Re: Whistleblowing, hostile workplace

The fact that you were let go within a round of layoffs is really going to work against you in a whistleblower case.

While you may believe that you were let go for diming out your boss, and in fact may have been let go for that reason, to make out a whistleblower claim you are going to have to overcome the neutral reason (lay-off) given by the employer.

Keep in mind my opinion is based on the limited facts that you have provided. There may be other facts which you have not disclosed that would change my opinion.

I do handle these types of cases and would be willing to discuss this matter with you further.

If you would like a free inital consultation, contact me via email, [email protected] or by clicking on my "Attorny Profle Page" for my phone number and other contact information.

Regards.

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Answered on 1/18/06, 4:55 pm


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