bullying (1)

I am submitting a blog that I wrote on an occurrence I suffered while working for a large regional bank.After 3 years of anger, hurt, blame...and seeing how our county is not so sharply divided after the call out from our President "tax the rich", I knew riots would erupt. This president and His administration and his cronies have set back and laughed as they have been apart of division. Remember the birth certificate...it divided the nation, they laughed....remember the debt ceiling crisis...his Friday speech? Everyone did call into their presentative..but, they knew there was already a divided state. Remember the Joplin tornado? Where were Obama and His wife??? Driving beer with his new found relatives. on our money. And now, oh so typical...the Jobs Bill....But see, my belief is that we are still...for a while...ONE NATION UNDER GOD....and He will get the last laugh. For me and my household. I will no longer participate in the hate...but, only unity of one America that is free. As a great leader Martin Luther King said...'FREE AT LAST...FREE AT LAST....GOD ALMIGHTY FREE AT LAST". I just pray and plead with Martin today, please have those words meant for me too Mr. King...I'm white but about to lose my freedom to this socialist dictator. And then the words of our great President Kennedy..."Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country". Mr. President, I tried to do that with www.spark-local.com and with the Spark-Local Stimulus where we as a community should take care of each other.For all those companies who want to be registered on a national directory as "MADE IN AMERICA" I'm here for you and I am not going to waste your money...I will promote the transparency heart out of you...I will make you shine and show that capitalism works at the lowest level of our economy...I promote you and will not allow your ad to sit and gather dust. You are MADE IN AMERCIA and I am proud of you...I believe as a business owner that you have to hire people and treat people with respect and dignity. I came up with my own internal motto: HEALTHY WORKERS + HEALTHY MANAGERS = HEALTHY PROFITS. I hope to never treat people the way I was treated...never...My Blog for the archives…it is time to move on and help a great cause…The Tea PartyTJs Integrity Unlimited ListMONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2010We Operate With IntegrityWe Operate With IntegrityThese words, ‘We Operate With Integrity’ has stayed with me since the first incident on February 13, 2009 when in the office of my manager and in one of our so called “one on ones”, I was delivered a set of performance sentences from another department that were clearly not mine. And the one simple fact was, I was not that engaged with the department that my manager said they were from.So, the reader may say, “So what?” why make a big deal about it? Managers lie all the time, there is nothing you can do. But, I kept telling myself, “yea, but, the companies motto is “We Operate with Integrity”. I could not let it go. But, now, at the close of 2010, with a restraining ordered over my head from the company, without insurance, without a job and the future looking bleak after an interview with a temporary service yesterday requiring that I obtain 3 references from this institution, I ask myself “Why Terry, why would you ever have thought this bank would operate with Integrity? Why did you just keep telling yourself that in the end, truth would come out….why is such an idiot?”It has been hell for me since that day and also for my family and friends. By not letting go of just trying to get the simple question answered, “Where did these sentences come from?”, I obsessed night and day with only the end result of losing about everything that that I held near and dear. Family has stayed with me, certain others in my fellowship, and also those close friends who have only showed me unconditional love has stood with me through this whole ordeal. I have met some incredible people of whom I refer to as the heroes of work place bullying. Because it is an epidemic that is sweeping the workplace. As my EEOC investigator told me when I found out the truth about where the sentences came from, he said, “So what – they can do what they want?” Wow…did that ever hit like a ton of bricks.I filled an internal grievance and here is what happened’ me, alone had to sit with; manager, manager, HR Rep; higher level manager, HR Rep; me alone with the department manager of where the accusations came from – she is the only one who told the truth; proceeded to the highest level management and HR rep; after I signed off on the grievance, my management, both females, found another female to engage and the next thing I knew – I had a written warning with one of the statements was that I “threatened them”. This was enough for the EEOC to file a charge against the bank for reverse discrimination. Then, again, alone, because I did not have the funds for a lawyer, my meetings proceeded with me, alone, with; HR rep, internal lawyer, EEOC moderator, then, surprisingly enough on the day of reentry – SURPRISE, the bank had brought in outside counsel. So, being and knowing that I did not have council, it was me + HR Rep + internal lawyer + outside council and the ever so caring EEOC moderator. By that time, you would have thought I would have got the clue that this bank has no idea what it means to Operate with Integrity. It was apparent that they wanted to sweep everything under the rug. But, although they were just sentences, it was a matter of “fraud”. All I could think about was, what else are they sweeping under the rug?Well, the lawyers said that my management was afraid I was going to “harm them”, so, I would not be allowed back in. They were not going to try to find me another position; they wanted me and my crusade for justice out of their sight. So, after having no council I signed a bogus agreement and left, but, before leaving, I said the following words directed to the HR rep…..”You know, this type of harassment by these female managers was demonstrated by two other male employees before me, and you knew about it. One of the males was so beaten down that you did not know what he would do with himself, the other was so angry from the treatment, you did not know what he would do…I continued and said; “There will be one, it is not me because I am out of there, but one that will be pushed in the corner and he/she will have no where to turn and he will either harm themselves, their families, their management or go as far as harming their team.” She just looked at me…no care for what I said. Just – “Get Out!”This should have been the final chapter and all would have been well. But, after the time lapse for the severance ran out, I still had no job and the bank denied my unemployment causing hardship for 9 weeks until it was restated. I went into foreclosure, on the brink of bankruptcy, had two deaths, one being a close friend and then a sister that I will never forget…and after some desperate attempts, a mistake by me for some type of justice from this bank. Two days after my sister’s death, I received two restarting orders from the bank. The two were to appear in a Kansas court and then a Missouri court. Oh how we operate with integrity.I have struggled in closing out this chapter. I tried to start a blog on the concept that Jesus says to turn the other cheek and titled it “HEALTHY WORKERS + HEALTHY MANGERS = HEALTHY PROFITS” and then, I wanted to start a blog that demonstrated his anger when he overthrew the money changers tables in the temple and it was called’ “BUSTING THE BULLIES BALLS”, where, I wanted to flat out name the company so that customers who might trade with them would take a second thought as to if they wanted to do business with them or not.In both cases, I had to ask myself….”Terry, are you operating with integrity?” And sadly, no….I was not. I wanted revenge and still have that little seed in me. But, I am a man of faith who struggles with waiting on God. For God says; “vengeance is mine….I will repay.”2011 shows some hope and light in my life. I am trying to obtain a masters certification in entrepreneurship and open up my own business. I am hoping to help out with the healthy workplace bill by passing it in all states for the protection of employees in AT WILL STATES. And other ventures to keep me occupied, happy and productive. I doubt if I regain the confidence of friends that feel to the wayside but I tell you what, I will stay loyal to those who stayed loyal to me, because, I think I found the core of those who truly “Operate with Integrity”, and sometimes, we miss it. This blog is dedicated to the ones who stay loyal through the hell that others who are being bullied to the state of exhaustion. This blog is to say thank you for staying in their with all the obsessions, tears and fears. Thank you for you truly is the ones I call friends….you truly show what Operating with Integrity is all about. It is sad that companies around this nation cannot learn by your example. But regardless…..thank you for by your example, I will go forward with my business and with all prayers behind me….always strive - to Operate with IntegrityPosted by Terry Alan Jones at 8:48 AMEmail This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Google Buzz4 comments:Terry Alan Jones said...As I start 2011, I must forgive and release all the past and those who have caused me pain and anguish and to ask forgiveness of doing the same. The one thing I will always miss from the whole event, is the laughter I shared with my management at one time in one place where joy filled the air.I do not want to perpetrate division, strife or contention, but, as we all know the pressures in the work place are forever increasing and most have forgotten the old days of going to work, be respected and to respect others and to always strive to be honest and true.With this said, it is time for the American Worker to speak up concerning the conditions of the workplace and to stand up for safety. I am hoping that we will never hear the words from an EEOC Investigator stating that employers in At Will States "can do whatever they want". And for companies who proclaim safety and integrity stay true to their word.This blog has one purpose and that purpose is to gather a list from workers and managers to come up with what I call TJs Integrity Unlimited List. It is a simple list of the voice of the American Workers asking for safety, honor and respect in the work place.Let's take our voice to the streets - for it is time to stand up and declare both employees and managers - We Operate with Integrity - We care for one another and support one another in all our affairs at work.Bring back honor in the work place. Bring back respect for the individual. Believe it - we can all care for one another in the days and years ahead.December 31, 2010 7:03 AMAnonymous said...1. A supervisor or manager has the right or freedom to falsify an employees performance report in writing or verbally. This is considered fraud in the court of law and other parties knowing of its existence are considered to be “scinters and it is illegal.2. A supervisor or manager has the right or freedom to harass an employee due to a personal dislike or trust. The employee was hired for the job and should be treated respectfully as such.3. Supervisors/Managers should themselves be evaluated for incompetence’s and overload stress levels that are being expressed through to employees. HR should take some responsibility of seeing both sides.January 4, 2011 4:53 AMAnonymous said...HR is strictly for the company, making sure employees know company 'policy.' They can be friendly so long as employee comes to work, does work, and goes home. Which, ideally, is how work is supposed to go.HR does not like complaints. Bullies know this, they push and push 'the buttons' if they wish to. The only option is to 'take it.' LAUGH IT ALL OFF...AND NEVER DO MORE than is specifically asked. (that's how to get along in today's work culture) GOOD is NOT RESPECTED.As long as you don't fall for it by stating any political, social viewpoints. Never give an opinion to any other statements of others and NEVER sit in the lunchroom where 'the gossipers' sit and hope to twist your words; conversing with them, you will 'make it' in work.WORK STINKS. GOVERNMENT CONTROLS made it this way. GOD is being PUSHED OUT in favor of subjective morality. (PROTECT certain types only)Nothing to do but wait it outJanuary 4, 2011 11:25 AMTerry Alan Jones said...I had a thought - what if the AT-WILL (common law) was abolished and replaced with theHEALTHYWORKPLACEBILL.ORGIn its generic form it gives equal rights to both employer and employee providing hopefully at some point:Healthy Workers + Healthy Managers = Healthy ProfitsJanuary 20, 2011 4:55 AM
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