tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post6071478346748698673..comments2023-09-29T06:09:21.089-04:00Comments on Ask a Manager: help, my bullying ex-boss is out of controlAsk a Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05281942480230532899noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-61480374523913700682010-10-14T15:14:38.239-04:002010-10-14T15:14:38.239-04:0010/11 Anon - I'm not sure about Allison, but I...10/11 Anon - I'm not sure about Allison, but I've always had good luck starting with the state Department of Labor website. They almost always have a quickie tutorial on state labor rights. <br /><br />It also pays to check the NLRB and EEOC websites - they have their own "employee's rights" sections.Natalienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-64379445601294589792010-10-11T20:51:41.736-04:002010-10-11T20:51:41.736-04:00Allison - that's a fantastic link, Virginia Co...Allison - that's a fantastic link, Virginia Code § 40.1-29. I'm sure a lot of your readers try searching online for relevant state employment regulations to find out what their rights are...<br /><br />...could you tell us what series of web searches you find helpful when looking for a specific bit of employment law like this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-46811903424148128392010-10-05T01:25:52.036-04:002010-10-05T01:25:52.036-04:00You should send an email to the Virginia Dept of L...You should send an email to the Virginia Dept of Labor:<br />http://www.doli.virginia.gov/contactinfo/contact_intro.html<br /><br />The contractor/regular worker issue is a gray area that depends on the state, but its worth a shot, because you may qualify for unemployment and your ex-boss would face some well-deserved scrutiny.<br /><br />Either way, they do have to provide you a 1099 at the end of the year for tax purposes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-19131556289039017422010-09-30T21:48:20.565-04:002010-09-30T21:48:20.565-04:00Kat, then unless you completed a W-4 form, they we...Kat, then unless you completed a W-4 form, they were treating you like a contractor. Did they issue you a 1099 or a W-2? A 1099 is them saying you were self-employed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-9577335884227675172010-09-30T13:00:42.749-04:002010-09-30T13:00:42.749-04:00Thank you for all the advice. I really appreciate ...Thank you for all the advice. I really appreciate it. I did finally contact a lawyer and start radio silence which has really caused them to freak out once he got involved. I know it will probably cost more than my last check but at this point I pretty much look at it as peace of mind and a leave me the heck alone. <br />I don't know about the tax info as the owners were the ones required to provide the leashes & supplies for their dogs. I just had to show up. They paid zero taxes, I paid them all at the end of the year.<br /><br />Kind RegardsKatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-51717383027581374812010-09-30T10:25:15.323-04:002010-09-30T10:25:15.323-04:00If you're still working, you should be paid. A...If you're still working, you should be paid. Add up every email & call and file for wages under DOL. She'll get the hint and hassle pretty quick.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-84190828451576667342010-09-30T09:38:54.621-04:002010-09-30T09:38:54.621-04:00Also--filter your emails. You don't need to s...Also--filter your emails. You don't need to see that she's emailing you. Screen your calls. You don't need to pick up if it's her. Don't listen to any messages she leaves. Take active steps to control her impact on your life. <br /><br />And on the "I was not asked if I liked the job and wanted to keep it, it was just assumed that I was keeping it" issue: that's a kind of incrementalism that can feel hard to challenge, but it's well worth doing--if you don't agree with that assumption, ain't no reason for you to stay silent, or to stay at all. "At will" goes both ways. I think a lot of employees get nailed by the silent conversion of a temporary situation into a permanent state. I'm glad you're out of yours, and I hope your health improves.fpostehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04585253003390376993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-51930887698540824752010-09-30T07:39:42.055-04:002010-09-30T07:39:42.055-04:00I am so sorry that you are going though such a ter...I am so sorry that you are going though such a terrible thing. Your former boss has no right to treat you like that! AAM is exactly right. They are legally obligated to give you your pay and there is no reason why you must respond to the barrage of emails and calls unless you choose to do so. I hope that you recover from this ordeal quickly and that you never have to go through something like this ever again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-73758846238632106382010-09-30T01:32:43.570-04:002010-09-30T01:32:43.570-04:00I worked for a terrible person like this once. I ...I worked for a terrible person like this once. I applied for unemployment and the dept. of labor called me with questions about whether I was actually a contractor. Did you have a set start and end date when you were walking dogs? Did you supply your own materials (leash, etc)? If the answer to these 2 questions is "no", your employer was probably taking a big shortcut with taxes. You could mention this in a threatening letter to her, and that she would probably have to start paying extra taxes and be subject to an audit. <br /><br />One thing you shouldn't do is complain about her in a public forum (like citysearch), or she could sue you. <br /><br />Think outside the box with this lady. I actually asked a friend to call my ex-boss for some paperwork once, knowing that she would feel the need to be civil and not seem "monstrous" with an outside person.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-81087314580622807622010-09-29T22:23:46.911-04:002010-09-29T22:23:46.911-04:00First of all, my heart goes out to the OP, no one ...First of all, my heart goes out to the OP, no one deserves to be treated like this and in many countries workplace bullying is blatantly illegal. <br /><br />For those who are suffering from similar situations, I highly recommend the following: <br /><br />http://www.workplacebullying.org/<br /><br />The important thing to know is that this is not your fault and you do not deserve to be treated like this.<br /><br />Great post.Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-91881608109727723482010-09-29T21:29:00.139-04:002010-09-29T21:29:00.139-04:00Regarding the first part, I would simply state, &q...Regarding the first part, I would simply state, "Please don't contact me anymore, since I am no longer in your employ." And leave it at that. It doesn't matter what you are spending your time doing now. You could be spending your time reading romance novels and that would be a perfectly legitimate reason to refuse to respond to her anymore. Because its your time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com