MENA CR1/K3/K1 filers

[HLM 1]

I totally agree with the girls that you should persue this other job and hopefully you will get it. Honestly, it's so obvious you are descriminated against and I would file a complaint to the HR even if you are leaving.

[Amoon 0]

I did add a long page full of comments to the "corrective action plan" that they put me on...its the write up here about how they twisted my words...etc. I really should go to HR and say something...leaving or not!

[~Jackie~ 30]

Now this is just me...but on my way out the door to the new job ~~I would certainly tell them to be expecting a contact from the labor board.

Your are valuable and do not need one more day in a place that does not respect family at this point in your life. You have a young child and a new marriage, this doesn't sound like the envoirnment you need to be in.

Edited July 23, 2009 by just_Jackie

[Beth/ Paris Heart 2]

Lisa....they wrote me up on my behavior...not that I was socializing outside of a break time, just the fact that I "said something" to scare someone. And seriously that is what ticked me off the most that someone was listening to a conversation not directed at them, then went behind my back and twisted my words. I really feel like somone is just out to get me here. Like, what did they think would come of it???

Sharifah...thanks so much for the prayers! I do feel like God is opening a door...I e-mailed my old boss and sent her my resume and asked her if she would consider me for the position. I also e-mailed the woman who is about to leave the position to give her the heads up and she said that they would probably love to have me back. I worked with spanish speaking clients and still...almost 2 years after I left there, the clients are calling asking for me!

Star_dragon...you are absolutely right. You don't know who you can trust. Of course they won't tell me who made the comment to HR, but really it had to be someone around me that I work with on a daily basis and who knows what I have gone through...so you really don't know who you can trust...at least here in the corporate world!!! It is so crazy that me, being a Christian American woman was so extremely well recepted by everyone I met in Jordan and everyone was so kind and nice and accepting...but bring a Jordanian man to the US and people turn on you...its appalling! And its funny you mention discrimination because that is absolutely what came to my mind when this happened. I have been going over and over in my head if I should, myself, go to HR and make a complaint.

Where's Jackie & Beth today???

APPLY APPLY APPLY for the job Amanda, you dont need that #######. I understand about your work, Ive had some of the same ####### here. I told one woman, "Get in my business again, and call my Husband a Terrorist again and I will rip you tongue out myself" I wanted to *itch slap her, but not worth losing my job or going to jail. Nobody !!!!, I care care who it is unless they went thru this immigration process understands how we feel.

Sometimes I feel they look down at us cause our husbands are from MENA land. Ignorant B***tards!

Anyways, go get that new job Girlie Girl, Im saying extras prays for you tonight and a new job. ((((((())))))))

Love ya all!!!

[msheesha 548]

Morning ladies...just dropping by to say hello. I hope everyone is feeling well this Friday eve.

So, you know I mentioned I wasn't happy at my job...for lots of reasons? Well, the reason I left my old job was because it was a small company and I didn't see any way that I could move up....my manager left and I thought for sure they would offer the position to me, but didn't so I looked for something else. I was working at a non-profit and I was helping a lot of people and getting to use my Spanish everyday.

So I took a job at a HUGE coporate company and really it seems like they expect us all to be like well-oiled robots, no feelings, don't bring personal life in to work, make no mistakes, work super hard all day everyday and expect to take extra work like a gift...don't get me wrong I am very happy to have a job. They actually laid off 270 people here two weeks ago. But I am not motivated to come in to work...there are favorites and it is totally obvious who they are because they can do anything they want and get away with it. But if I slip up in the very slightest, I get in trouble for it.

I am a very open and friendly person. I can't leave my personal life at home...especially when it involves waiting on a visa to be approved!!! So I look to my co-workers, whom I also consider friends, for support and just someone to talk to about the process. We all work in cubes...so anyone can really hear your conversation. The week before Raad arrived, I got called into the BIG boss' office. I got written up because someone "overheard" a conversation I was having and went to HR about it because they were "scared." I was shocked. This person had told HR that I was talking about my husband and something about blowing up Americans!!!!! The conversation I was actually having was that I was telling my friend that my mom was worried about my husband because of the stereotypes Americans have about Middle Eastern men and I didn't want people to judge him before they met him...never said anything about harming anyone or my country. I was in tears...someone twisted my words and went straight to HR about it...not to my manager first. They told me the company policy was about to change and that people who don't work here can't enter the building, except for the lobby. It is pretty high security here and you have badges to let you through the doors & use the elevators. I was appalled. When I was on vacation when Raad got here, I e-mailed my boss to see if I could at least bring him to the lobby so that my co-workers could meet him...after 8 months of them waiting with me and they were so excited to meet him. Well...she told me no, it wasn't a good idea. When the same day, another co-worker brought her husband in to meet everyone. I still have not seen any e-mail or anything saying the visitation policy has changed. In fact, I just had to complete an online training about security here and under visitation it said that visitors must be escorted by an employee at all times. It didn't say leave Middle Easterners outside!!! I have been so pissed since then and not motivated to come to work, not to mention the team I am working with now are all b%^#$s! I feel discriminated against!!!!

I have been praying that if God has another job for me, to open the door for me. Well...right after that, a friend of mine from my previous job e-mailed me and said that the woman who took the manager position was leaving and that job is open. I have all the experience required...plus I worked at that company 4 years so I know a lot. What do you ladies think....I should apply? I could potentially make a whole lot more money according to the salary range they have posted.

Sorry ladies...I didn't expect that to be so long!!!! But you ladies have always been great with advice so any input is appreciated.

Amanda

That all must be so horribly upsetting. If I were you, I think I'd be on the phone with a civil rights attorney immediately. If they are a huge company, they should know better. Save all of your documentation and proof. They are creating a hostil work environment for you, and that is not allowed, and you should be able to take some kind of action. Seriously, there'd be no way I wouldn't be consulting an attorney right away. It's awful. I would start writing everything down, so you don't forget everything - you already have the emails and the write up. It's horrible and so sad that you are going through this. I would apply for the other job, but I also wouldn't let the current place you work off the hook. Ugh, so upsetting!

[msheesha 548]

Lisa....they wrote me up on my behavior...not that I was socializing outside of a break time, just the fact that I "said something" to scare someone. And seriously that is what ticked me off the most that someone was listening to a conversation not directed at them, then went behind my back and twisted my words. I really feel like somone is just out to get me here. Like, what did they think would come of it???

Sharifah...thanks so much for the prayers! I do feel like God is opening a door...I e-mailed my old boss and sent her my resume and asked her if she would consider me for the position. I also e-mailed the woman who is about to leave the position to give her the heads up and she said that they would probably love to have me back. I worked with spanish speaking clients and still...almost 2 years after I left there, the clients are calling asking for me!

Star_dragon...you are absolutely right. You don't know who you can trust. Of course they won't tell me who made the comment to HR, but really it had to be someone around me that I work with on a daily basis and who knows what I have gone through...so you really don't know who you can trust...at least here in the corporate world!!! It is so crazy that me, being a Christian American woman was so extremely well recepted by everyone I met in Jordan and everyone was so kind and nice and accepting...but bring a Jordanian man to the US and people turn on you...its appalling! And its funny you mention discrimination because that is absolutely what came to my mind when this happened. I have been going over and over in my head if I should, myself, go to HR and make a complaint.

Where's Jackie & Beth today???

I think that's the very, very least you should do. I would so, so, so consult a lawyer before doing anything. It sounds like they are making special rules for you just because your husband is Middle Eastern and Muslim. That's ridiculous and in my opinion, they should be taught that it's unacceptable. Please talk to a lawyer!

[Amoon 0]

I want to talk to a lawyer, but really I absolutely don't have the cash to do it. I don't know what I should do. I am still so upset about it.

[~Jackie~ 30]

Your state labor board should take a complaint, no charge.

[msheesha 548]

I want to talk to a lawyer, but really I absolutely don't have the cash to do it. I don't know what I should do. I am still so upset about it.

Most lawyers will do a free consult. And, especially if they feel there is a case, and there is money at the end of it all, they'd do the work on a contingency/comission basis. It's worth looking up and making some calls to see if any lawyers in your area do free consults.

[Amoon 0]

So which step should I take first...should I make a complaint to the labor board and to HR here and look for an attorney at the same time??

[msheesha 548]

http://lawyers.findlaw.com/lawyer/firm/Civ.../North-Carolina

The first 3 listed on this page offer free consults.

[msheesha 548]

http://www.aclu.org/affiliates/northcarolina.html

Here is the North Carolina ACLU chapter as well. Don't know if it's the exact type of case they would take, but I'd definitely give a call and see what they say.

[msheesha 548]

So which step should I take first...should I make a complaint to the labor board and to HR here and look for an attorney at the same time??

Others may know more about employment law/civil rights law, etc, but I'd consult an attorney first. It sounds like they are already treating you differently because your husband is MENA/Muslim, and an attorney might advise you best what the next step should be. If no lawyer that you contact is helpful, then I'd go the route of filing a complaint with HR and the Labor Board.

[Amoon 0]

http://lawyers.findlaw.com/lawyer/firm/Civ.../North-Carolina

The first 3 listed on this page offer free consults.

Thank you. None of the 3 are in my city...but I just sent an e-mail to the closest one to see if they respond back to me.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

I would try to settle it with HR first. If they dont give you any satisfaction, then you can proceed from there. Thats my two cents.

What you have as a complaint for the labor board is favortism(they dont care) and an unjustified/not properly investigated write up. This will turn into a long drawn out, emotionally draining process if you escalate it to the board or a lawyer. If you are willing to do thatt...go for it! They should know that they need to be sensitive and handle situations differently next time.

If you just want to stand up for yourself and get the write up out of your personell file.. talk to HR ASAP.