An x coworker and I were just saying that our stories were similar to Weinstein (not sexual but retaliation fear, HR backing management etc). I can now tell what happened. A few people on here know already and suggested I keep quiet due to retaliation but it's the point, I don't care any longer.
I worked for the State of CA for 22 years, 13 years at the vocational nursing board (practical nursing in other states). December 2011 I had a manager come at me with her fists in front of a witness (the above ex coworker). I turned and ran. If not, her fists would have hit me as they were in a forward motion. This manager is a licensed RN working there under her license. I immediately reported to my higher bosses as my manager was on vacation. They did not follow procedure and did not report it to the Div of Investigation like they were suppose to. They told my manager upon her return that they weren't going to do anything and hoped it would blow over. (I found that out 5 years later when manager retired). Now I'm in a position, if I report it, I'm reporting not only the manager but my big bosses for failure to follow procedure . (by big, I mean a boss hired by the governor's appointees). My life would be made miserable. So I suffered for years. Very well known that the EEO, higher management, department heads back up management.
I had issues but didn't know what they were. Taking time off, crying, getting 4 hours sleep, nightmares etc. October 2015 in a meeting with new manager and manager that had come at me with her fists. Manager with the fist incident began yelling. I began shaking and had to get out. My manager told me to call my doctor. Long story short, sent to workers comp dr and later diagnosed with PTSD and given notice that I required accommodations due to the PTSD to stay away from that manager with the fists. Previous manager just had me go through her if I had questions for the manager with the fists.
March 2016 we got a new big boss from the governor's appointees. I gave her the accommodation request and she told me I had to find another job. Keep in mind, PTSD is an ADA disability, the request could easily be accommodated since this RN with the fists did not work in my area. Not only did they not help with my disability (which was caused at this place of employment), my big boss put this manager with the fists as my direct lead now causing direct interaction daily. The exact opposite of my accommodation request. My doctor sensing they weren't doing anything suggested I file a complaint against her RN license which I did. Violence in the workplace (I wasn't the first nor the last) doesn't have to be a clinical setting. The RN Board closed it with no investigation which did not surprise me.
June 8th after returning from bereavement leave, I was written up by big boss on 3 charges which were false. Allegations that I said or did something to certain coworkers. These coworkers are witnesses for me that I never did such a thing to any of them. Completely made up. I was threatened with termination. During a meeting with my union rep and the department's rep, this big boss pulled out my complaint from the RN Board and said, "this started it all". My union rep asked her what she was doing with that as it was suppose to be confidential. She said that they (the RN Board) sent it to her because I filed a false and vindictive report. (I cannot verify if they actually said that but it is what my big boss alleged). In any way, they breached my confidentiality.
My desk got moved away from my unit to an undesirable location, I was not allowed to train, I was not interviewed for promotions (it was for lead in my unit for which I trained every single person in that unit as myself and another employee had been there for years). I was not even called in for an interview.
This is no secret as our Board was in the news. We were under legislative audit. I was interviewed by the Attorney Generals office quite a few times. My big boss followed me one day, pinching and grabbing my waist 3 times. I was so shocked, I turned into the first cubicle I could to get away from her. The EEO later said, why didn't I tell her to stop because she (the EEO investigatior) would have told her to stop. I had this discussion with my therapist and asked the EEO if she was familiar with PTSD and of course, she said yes. She is not a licensed therapist, has no idea how someone with PTSD caused by physical threats from a manager would handle it but putting her 2 cents in. You can see where this headed by the EEO.
It got worse. I was called into meetings 3 times a week. Accused of things I did not do. It was obvious I was a target. My life was miserable.
My big boss was put on administrative leave and later resigned. The manager that I filed the complaint against was named interim big boss.
There is state and department policy that any report of violence or attempted violence must be reported within (I believe 48 hours) by management. This was not done.
They told me I had to find another job when presenting them with an accommodation request, not only did they not do the request, they did the exact opposite. (It would not have affected the work place at all and easily done). Violated ADA policy. EEO later asked me why I didn't file the accommodation request myself when I saw management wasn't doing it. Maybe because the forms all have management signatures and at this point, tired of the department making excuses for management not following departmental and state procedures.
False paperwork filed against me.
If I had a physical mark instead of mental (PTSD), it would not have been so easily covered up. The eye witness to the attempted violence has never been interviewed to this day.
The RN Board violated my confidentiality by giving my boss a copy of my complaint.
Before the big boss left,, she would come to my cubicle, stretch out her arms and legs blocking the entrance and just stand there smiling at me. (she was extremely tall and lanky). It creeped my coworker in the next cubicle out who was working there part time as a retired supervisor.
At no time has anyone, the EEO, the Division of Investigation within the department, HR no one has spoken to any of my witnesses even though I have given them names and phone numbers. The EEO did speak to one person, my new manager who said............no.............I never did any of that LOL What exactly did they think she was going to say? Why yes, I lied to her and was harassing her
I have the eye witness to the attempted violence, 2 managers willing to be a witness that they were covering 5 it up, the three witnesses to the false write up, a supervisor that was in the next cubicle etc. Not a single one was spoken to. It got so bad that when another worker wanted to come say hello to me, they'd bring a fake paper in case we got caught talking (just saying hello, how's your day). There were a lot of things I was accused of, too many to mention. One example: 2 employees talking bout something 5 feet from me while I was bending over getting a soda out of the fridge and I get called in for it (not the 2 employees) It was getting old and mentally exhausting. I sent my manager an email asking her to file a hostile work environment complaint for me (per procedure-you know, the worthless departmental handbook they don't have to adhere to?) She told me to go outside and have a cigarette It was never filed. I was told it was a violation of my EEO rights per the Attorney Generals office . Of course, another excuse was given.
The end of May 2017 after being called in for more meetings (someone contacted the newspaper and we have proof it came from work computer....um no) I went to cal pers and put in my retirement papers for the next day. I went into work and told a few people in my unit it was my last day. They ran out and got a cake and gift. We had a small get together with about 75% of the employees. They were begging me to try to stick it out but I was mentally drained. As I was leaving, my coworker, the part time retired supervisor said xxxx it, I'm out of here with you LOL She gave our manager her badge and we walked out together.
It is totally amazing to me how they band together. It's actually quite frightening. They can violate state and departmental policy, they can violate the ADA. violate EEO rights and it's always an excuse. The odd thing is, I just got a letter from worker's comp that they are still working on my case I filed over a year ago. I thought it was null/void when I retired.
It baffles me because I am normally a very strong person. I can't understand how someone coming at me with their fists would cause PTSD. The therapist thinks it has something to do with thinking I can handle anything and let it simmer.
That's how big employers can cover and hide and make your life miserable. My life would have been easier had I never said a word.
