A friend of mine and I worked together and we quit, it's become quite a mess, are we in legal trouble?

We worked at a preschool. We became rat infested, had creditors calling and accounts in collections calling. They came out to shut our electric off, our dumpster hadn't been picked up in 3 weeks, and the whole place smelled same bad it was making my friend and I nauseous and giving us headaches. They refused to call a rodent Company, and my husband removed a dead one from the attic a few weeks ago. We had no supplies or snacks for the kids because the rats were chewing through everything. Last night after Business hours, she and I took our resignation letters that properly and politely touched on all of the above reasons, left those, our keys, and our time cards for the week on the desk, and did not going this morning. The news found out *I still don't know how!* and the owner told them if they ran the story, that she would sue them, and the two little girls that did this, meaning my friend and I. SO far, I've been informed that it is not job abandonment because it was not during Business hours. I've also been told it's not slander if it's true. I have photos of the conditions of the building. I'm not trying to do anything to them, I just couldn't breath in there. Should we worry or contact a lawyer?
Additional Details
My friend and I purchased ALL of the rodent traps, and we've called the health department and DCF twice. They came out with a UV light and did NOTHING!! I've let the parents know, and quite a few have pulled otu!!! It was terrible to know those kids are playing with and sleeping in rat urine!! We've brought it anyone's attention who will listen.

Lori

First off, you did nothing wrong. You gave your a proper termination, almost all states are "at will" employment states which means an employee or employer can terminate their employment at anytime. The daycare owner can attempt to sue you, but she would have to prove you tried to slander her name, but you didn't you contacted proper authorities to investigate, it's there problem they didn't do anything, you were concerned for the children's health and informed the parent - if you didn't they would ask why not? Your resignation letters aren't slander, it's proof you felt the working conditions were hazardous to your health, there's would be proof garbage wasn't picked up. So legally I see no reason you would be found of slander, you would have had to falsely bad mouthed the daycare w/no just reason, you didn't but you took necessary steps to protect the children and yourselves. The News Story - well that's there problem. It's up to them to verify facts, and they know all the legal ramifications if they ran something false - but that's not your problem. The daycare owner is upset and yes she will look for anyone to blame, but she has to have proof, which she doesn't. I wouldn't worry about it, if she does sue you then seek counsel, or you can seek counsel now and see if you can sue her for something - I'm not a lawyer, but I'm sure hazardous work environment might be able to get you something. Or you can just consult and attorney and see what they advise. But really you did nothing wrong, so I wouldn't worry about it.

HR Manager

Boston

Don't let the greedy unethical owner antagonize you. They're the ones with the most to lose in this situation.

PiggiePants

What did you do to protect any of the children enduring the same conditions as yourself and your friend?

You may be liable for a lawsuit. Not from the owner. But from the regulatory agency who will undoubtedly investigate.

By keeping your silence and not telling anyone about the deplorable conditions you were contributing to a situation that put children at risk.

You should contact a lawyer.

njyogibear

don't worry. you didn't do anything wrong. it sounds like an unhealthy place for young children to be, and if that's the case, it's better to get that information out so parents can decide what to do. if the owner is making threats against you and your colleague, she is digging herself in deeper because you could sue her for taking retribution against your good-faith effort to call attention to unsafe conditions.

Shayk03

yes, and if you do it will also help out the children

b_dunn

This job is considered an At-Will Employment job and if this is so you can get fired with reason (almost anything) or quit at any time.

Paul W

You were quite within your legal rights to do what you did. The person who was employing you is just calling your bluff. As long as you have everything recorded that you did whilst you were there it might be useful. Probably you could make a claim against this person because you suffered health problems as a result. I doubt very much if this person could sue anyone for running a story about the rats, especially as it is true and you have proof of that. I think you did an admirable public service to contact the parents of the children who were in that situation, it could have had serious health implications, especially if one of the children had become sick, or even been bitten. She is lucky if the parents don't sue her. In this day and age it is not impossible to employ a proper person who will eradicate the rodents. At least with those vulnerable children around and having to be in an area which has rodent urine in you would think the best of cleaners would be employed to thoroughly clean it up. Good work.

visciddirtyindigenous

omg that's so gross, especially that those little children were attending preschool in that environment. Get a lawyer's advice to be on the safe side

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