What can she do? I'm worried!?

Okay, lately my mom has been really depressed. She's been with this plant nursery company for almost 10 years, and everything was going perfect. About 2 years ago, she got promoted to be a supervisor, and she got a substantial pay raise. In June, we went on vacation for 1 month (it was a payed vacation for my mom), and when we get back, we found out that my mom had been demoted and replaced by some other lady while we were gone. This lady is REALLY mean to my mom and the other people that work with her. She'll force them to work weekends for regular pay, and with 1 day's notice. If you don't come to work on weekends, you're fired. She does whatever she can to get them to work as much as possible, for as little as legally possible.
I'm really worried about my mom. She comes home exhausted and crying. Things were going great, but now...we're struggling to make ends meet without her usual high pay. Is there anything she can do? She's already spoken to everyone in the company...managers, other supervisors, etc...and no one seems to take her side, so she's looking for some outside help. What can she do, without losing her job? Thanks.

kcms0796

Most attorneys offer inital visit free. She could talk to an attorney and he can inform her. If state law says you are to get paid more for working weekends then she can report to the labor board also check out your states labor laws online and see if they can legally demote her like they did. If you sign a contract stating that you understand that you may be terminated or demoted for no apparent reason then she may not have much to go on. I would think she would start looking for another job. I don't believe anyone should stay somewhere they are not happy. God is your provider not man. If she will turn this problem over to God he will be able to fix it for her. Good luck.

Judy

Sounds like she should look for a different job, if this one is making her so unhappy.

There is no requirement to be paid extra for working on weekends. As to the demotion and pay cut, you need to figure out how to go back to the spending pattern of two years ago.

Good luck, to both of you.

Samirah

Your mom needs to chill out.

Number one, if they let her go she can get un-employment.

Number two, she needs to start networking at competitors (other Nursery's) and gather information as to whether their hiring?

Personally, I gave two weeks notice and was offered more money.

But, I'm not sure if that will work in today's economy?

nursexx

Almost every company has a Policies and Procedures Manual. In this day and age, it is generally quite difficult to demote or fire anyone. There must be documentation in writing of the reasons why your mother was demoted and they must coincide with the Policies and Procedures of the company. Not only does your mother have to be notified in writing, her immediate supervisor must have spoken to her and documented the steps that were discussed to correct any company grievances serious enough to legally support your mother's demotion. Customarily, demotion or termination occurs only after the 3rd warning noting that the employee has not sufficiently corrected serious infractions of Policy and Procedure as outlined in the first 2 warnings. In today's litigious society, employers tend to tediously cover their actions as any employee with performance problems might very well hire an attorney and sue the employer.

I know how difficult it would be for me to share this type of issue with my children. I can honestly say that I would NOT. I am sure your mother is depressed and embarrassed. There is a good chance that you do not know the entire situation. A month of paid vacation seems quite extensive, especially if taken all at one time. Is it possible that your mother was gone from work a bit too long and found someone in her position when she did finally return?

Bottom line, is that if your mother was unfairly demoted, she should be abe to speak to an attorney and prove the employers lack of appropriate rationale to support her demotion. Furthermore, all employees receive at the very least an annual review to let them know how they are performing and where they might need improvement. This review should guide the employee's work actions throughout the coming year.

Considering the severity of your mom's depression, she may want to make an appointment with a certified counselor and or psychiatrist to begin therapy and possible psychotropic medication management. She may also want to consider a paid leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act and seek the advise of an attorney if she can provide documentation to support unfair and discriminatory actions taken by her employer against her. If she cannot, she may not wish to divulge this to you but perhaps she might discuss it with a counselor and get the help she deserves. Remember, if your mother was doing well at work and then stumbled enough to be demoted, there was some type of life change going on that she was not be able to cope with on her own. She is not a failure, but she is suffering the consequences of some unchecked issues in her life. The best thing you can do now is to support her and encourage her to either get a referral or set up an appointment with someone who can assess her state of mind and provide some type of support or treatment.

Good Luck...it can be scarey for a child to approach a parent in situations like this, but no doubt your mom will appreciate your sensitivity and youthful wisdom.

jobbend

Number one, she can look for a new job.

If your mom is in a "work-at-will" position, then what happened to her (and is happening now) is most likely legal. What would make it illegal is if there was a violation of employment law in the state she is employed. You can go to www.usa.gov and do some research by searching "employment law" and the state she works in. You can also seek help from an attorney who specializes in employment law.

Here is the one thing you mention that MAY have some legal teeth: working weekends for regular pay. If your mom is working more than 40 hours a week and is an hourly employee (must report hours worked for each pay period) then the company is required to pay overtime in most jobs. There are exceptions. Again, www.usa.gov will get you started.

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