[Apologies in advance for the long post... I've been through hell the past 3 weeks, and have condensed the story down as much as possible...]
I have to make an important decision soon regarding whether or not I'm going to sue my former employer. I need some advice from those who know about this stuff, or who have been there before.
Here's the circumstances: I was given an annual review that I didn't think was fair, and the fact that I was ranked quite low caused me to miss getting a raise, bonus, etc. I escalated a complaint up the chain of command and utilized the company's "open door policy" to request that this ranking be appealed. Several directors got involved, and ended up telling me (Without ever listening to my argument) that there was nothing they could do. They all assured me this wasn't a big deal and someone had to get the low ranking this year (Bell curve), and it was me... But this wouldn't impact my career at the company at all, etc...
I went on vacation for 10 days, and when I got back I was given a layoff notice that I would be gone in 4 weeks. The notice said I would be allowed to find and take another job in the company, and that my low ranking would not impact my ability to take another position.
Flash forward 3 weeks. I found 2 hiring managers inside the company who both offered me the job verbally. Once they began working with HR to have me moved over to their team a week+ went by and then I would be contacted by both apologizing that they would not be allowed to hire me for the position (No further details given).
I escalated my case to HR, explaining that this was unfair that I had been offered 2 great positions and then had to endure the heartbreak of having them pulled out from under my nose, right before the deadline to leave. HR finally divulged to me that they believed my paperwork was being cancelled at the last minute by an executive for the 2 organizations I had applied to because they don't want to hire anybody with a ranking as low as mine (Even though my former manager gave me a positive reference, and told them my ranking and layoff was not merit based)...
So this brings me to now... I'm concerned that I'm the victim of some majorly hostile retalliation that has sprouted from the complaint I made about my ranking on the annual review. I'm wondering if one of the directors who got involved has basicaly blacklisted me throughout the company now. I feel that even though I was told, and it was documented that I would have the opportunity to apply and be hired inside the company -- this is a clear lie and breach of company policy.
Can anybody shed some light on what my rights are here, and whether or not I should take legal action? I have an appointment with an attorney in 2 weeks, but I want to get the dialogue going here in the meantime.
I won't be burning any bridges, because thanks to our new layoff policy -- No employee can ever be rehired with the company once they've been laid off unless they get an executive council member to sign off. Obviously this is not going to happen for anybody who is not the brother-in-law of an exec.
Thanks all...
[Also if you know me personally, please keep this confidential and don't post anything about it on my Facebook, Linkedin, etc... Trying to keep this on the DL until I decide what to do]
I have to make an important decision soon regarding whether or not I'm going to sue my former employer. I need some advice from those who know about this stuff, or who have been there before.
Here's the circumstances: I was given an annual review that I didn't think was fair, and the fact that I was ranked quite low caused me to miss getting a raise, bonus, etc. I escalated a complaint up the chain of command and utilized the company's "open door policy" to request that this ranking be appealed. Several directors got involved, and ended up telling me (Without ever listening to my argument) that there was nothing they could do. They all assured me this wasn't a big deal and someone had to get the low ranking this year (Bell curve), and it was me... But this wouldn't impact my career at the company at all, etc...
I went on vacation for 10 days, and when I got back I was given a layoff notice that I would be gone in 4 weeks. The notice said I would be allowed to find and take another job in the company, and that my low ranking would not impact my ability to take another position.
Flash forward 3 weeks. I found 2 hiring managers inside the company who both offered me the job verbally. Once they began working with HR to have me moved over to their team a week+ went by and then I would be contacted by both apologizing that they would not be allowed to hire me for the position (No further details given).
I escalated my case to HR, explaining that this was unfair that I had been offered 2 great positions and then had to endure the heartbreak of having them pulled out from under my nose, right before the deadline to leave. HR finally divulged to me that they believed my paperwork was being cancelled at the last minute by an executive for the 2 organizations I had applied to because they don't want to hire anybody with a ranking as low as mine (Even though my former manager gave me a positive reference, and told them my ranking and layoff was not merit based)...
So this brings me to now... I'm concerned that I'm the victim of some majorly hostile retalliation that has sprouted from the complaint I made about my ranking on the annual review. I'm wondering if one of the directors who got involved has basicaly blacklisted me throughout the company now. I feel that even though I was told, and it was documented that I would have the opportunity to apply and be hired inside the company -- this is a clear lie and breach of company policy.
Can anybody shed some light on what my rights are here, and whether or not I should take legal action? I have an appointment with an attorney in 2 weeks, but I want to get the dialogue going here in the meantime.
I won't be burning any bridges, because thanks to our new layoff policy -- No employee can ever be rehired with the company once they've been laid off unless they get an executive council member to sign off. Obviously this is not going to happen for anybody who is not the brother-in-law of an exec.
Thanks all...
[Also if you know me personally, please keep this confidential and don't post anything about it on my Facebook, Linkedin, etc... Trying to keep this on the DL until I decide what to do]
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