How to Complain at Work Properly
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- Опубліковано 26 чер 2024
- This video is about how to complain at work but protect yourself from retaliation. Below are links to the videos I mentioned.
Hostile Work Environment Explained - • CA Hostile Work Enviro...
Secretly Recording Co-Workers - • CA Recording Law Expla...
Branigan's law firm website: brobertsonlaw.com
Branigan Robertson is an employment lawyer in Orange County, California. His firm exclusively represents employees in lawsuits against their employers.
Subscribe to his UA-cam channel so you can get more practical recommendations on avoiding workplace issues. But note, this channel is not legal advice. You have to call and talk to a lawyer for that.
#complainatwork #hrcomplaint #employmentlawyer
I learned not to bother complaining to HR or managers at all. When my manager called me into the office and said that a customer had complained and the only description they had given was that it was a womans voice, and she “knew” it was me because she had been told by another manager that I had admitted to being on antidepressants, therefore I was “crazy,” well I marched on over to the Equal Employment Opportunity office in downtown San Francisco and filed an official complaint against the company. My boss got called into the office of the owner of the company the minute he received that letter, and she got fired on the spot. It was the most satisfying thing I’ve experienced at any job 😂
That's what I'm talking about.
Good to hear stories like this!
I sued my company while employed and won my case as far as being bullied at work. Now that I’m retired after working 24 years with this corporation and left with excellent recommendations and a great pension but when I apply for other jobs I was told this corporation is not giving me a good recommendation dispute their excellent written recommendations they gave me before retiring. They also gave me a retirement celebration and nice speeches when I retired.
I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this. I'm trying to retire and have 3 years left but I might be forced to sue my employer. Did you sue through EEOC or did you file internally?
8 months later…
Get back to me I’ve gone threw it and am in middle of something please if your still there
No employer wants an honest employee. Why should an employee with integrity and morals have to compromise? If a company is wrong....... Like breaking a law!! You can say what you think is safe. Trust me, they will twist it. Sometimes, you can't wait for a company to fix something. In the meantime, they want you to break the law and put others, including yourself, at risk.
If you file and take an issue to court, you have screwed your own future!! The employee is still mistreated. Employers talk!! Right or wrong, they talk and get away with it. They have become professionals at it. Oh but in the end, they will stand to be judged!!
You're so right, this happening to me. New employer talked with last employer.
Happening to me right now too. *sigh*
I actually disagree sir and this is why I've been an honest employee for years and the company applied to my help and asks me in certain situations to help them back so that stuff doesn't go down the shiter
I agree with you. I clicked the video because the title says "Prevent Retaliation", but he did not discuss “prevent retaliation” especially those subtle retaliations even if you follow all the right steps to complain, so kinda misleading title. He pretty much just focused on how to complain in the right way.
What I've learned is to just kiss ass and apologize. You can apologize and play the part. It's not worth risking your future (and I mean just petty things, the 'you hurt my feelers' stuff, not really agregious stuff). Karma is a bitch. Companies that do this to employees are usually circling the toilet bowl anyways. It's like a sinking ship that drags everyone down.
HR informed a staff member that what they experienced by their Supervisor is BORDELINE RACISM, but the employee shouldn't submit a formal complaint to corporate just yet, and that the document should be submitted to her 1st. The staff member had coworkers who spoke up for her because of the unfair treatment.
To me it SOUNDS like HR wants to hide info from cooperate while she does the routine investigation.
THANKS for this video. Definitely will be sharing it with the staff member with hopes to help her sort out her interaction with HR.
It’s amazing how much these little videos can help a Union Steward in the successful performance of his duties. While not a court issue, the practices discussed make life easier and get results.
I second this
He should teach at UC Irvine Law School. This is the kind of professor that students would benefit from!
He should represent UC Irvine's employees from what I've read.
@@wesmins9468 I've read a bunch of articles about UCI Law School's issues with unions (staff, adjuncts). Not sure about the vaccination issue - are you a professor there?
@@wesmins9468 What? No, I mean the unions have issues with the school's mistreatment of employees and have threatened to go on strike several times. The school is the problem, not the unions!
he looks too good to be a professor and probably too rich to teach. Sorry kids.
I love your videos!!!! I've made all of these mistakes out of an extreme emotional reaction to what was going on with me being bullied and harassed at work. I'm now working on being more consistent in my documentation and just stating the facts of who, what, where, and how it made me feel. I wish I would have watched your videos years ago. 😒
😂😂😂btw nobody cares about how you feel but you.
@@foremanjacobmiller3589 kind of like your comment. It's interesting that you took time out of your busy life to comment. Thanks for caring ..😂
Complaining at my workplace does absolutely nothing.
Complaints falls on def ears.
Same
I love these videos as well. Really helpful. I haven't read all 219 comments, but one thing we tell folks here in Iowa is that when making a record, DO NOT TEXT with SMS or FACEBOOK messages. Even if it's the standard way you communicate with your boss (or landlord or ex-spouse), texting doesn't play well. It's ugly on the page. It's hard to read. It can be confusing to understand who's speaking. Texts can generate into long spiraling conversations. Texting tends towards informality . Often texts don't clearly indicate dates and (in text chains) times of the communication. And too often, texts end up shared (or stored) as screenshots which can be hard to read (especially when printed) and impossible to search. Finally, a series of texted communications would be harder for your boss (landlord, etc.) to share wtih other parties. You often want your concerns to be elevated to somebody who can act on them; a series of texts are much harder - and therefore less likely to be forwarded.
One clear polite email or letter stating a concern is going to outweigh a dozen screenshots of a the same concern.
Man, this guy knows his shit. Definitely someone I'd want in my corner fighting for me
I so appreciate your videos. A rather new retiree, I could easily go on about ahem, questionable behavior in the workplace. Thanks to people like you posting videos, the next generation will be able to respond faster and in a more sophisticated way to all the junk that’s been going on for decades.
I want to thank you for your videos, because they are very informative for the situation I am in. The fact of putting funny pics in for using the word but makes the videos that much better. As the situation I am going through is very frustraiting and gives me a fresh perspective with a dash of humor, bringing light to the spot my company has put me in. I rarely ever comment on videos, so take that how you may. Keep up the good work!
I love your videos! They are extremely educational and provide a real public service on a topic that is very misunderstood and hard to understand. I have defended myself Pro Se against a large claim and equally large legal team and prevailed... not because I am so smart, but because I caught the other side in a serious procedural error that I exploited and that the judge was sympathetic towards me on. Your videos give the average Joe or Jane smart advice in dealing with difficult situations. Thank you!
PS: Excellent tip on posing issues as questions rather than assertions!
God Bless Every Company needs to listen to what there employees say and hopefully everyone is helping each other and respecting each other
I wish I would have searched and found your page sooner, a few weeks ago I had written a complaint(non threatening but towards a department head for how he spoke and treated me) and that painted a target on my back. Now I catch other managers fishing and going out of their way to sabotage my employment. The sad issue is that our HR department is a 3 hour drive, non responsive through email nor phone. I’m honestly kind of lost because non of my protected rights are being violated but I’m absolutely being treated unfairly, have company executives looking for ways to sabotage my career and worst of all I get blown off by everyone in upper management when I tried discussing the issue.
I wish more employees would watch content like this when they want to make a difference.
So grateful to have found your abundant and fruitful resources. Thank you.
I learned the hard way. I lost my accounting career and now work as a cashier
I've been watching your videos and I've learned a lot. I've also recognized a lot of your advice as lessons I had to learn the hard way over the years! Anyone who is just entering the workforce who is watching these videos...this guy is 100% correct and you could save yourself a lot of trouble if you listen to him carefully! 👍
Thank you very much for this video, I have been having an absolute horrible time with harassment at my job after a workman's comp claim and trying writing a letter to hopefully address it.
Before I left my last position, I just said, "I'm fighting very hard to keep the word 'disgruntled' out of my mindset about this place". The younger folks chuckled a little. The older ones were concerned. I didn't stay much longer after that.
I subscribed after watching 30 seconds of this video. This lawyer is the real deal and makes boring stuff like this interesting.
Thank you. I’ve been watching your videos and they’re helpful. I have a boss…. I’m teetering on a complaint and am calculating it carefully. I appreciate your info.
Bottom line nobody cares they'll just replace you
You are amazing! All of your advice is absolutely correct.
Jeez, I did all those mistakes. I was bad complainer. But now, I can organize myself better. You are very much appreciated. 😎👍
I've seen some things and some stuff, and I can honestly say these videos are a masters work. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sorry I record. Reason for this is so that afterwards, a few days later I listen to my own reaction and recording and it helps me see my own faults. 5 years of doing this. Never needed to use them, and i wouldn't use them.
I wrote in my complaint I said it was a hostile work environment, and the attorney i spoke said I do indeed work in a hostile work environment
May God Bless You. Thank you for your helpful videos, much appreciated.
You're so right. Why i hardly complaints once or twice about the same thing and most of the time other employees puts in the same complaints. I always approach them it in professional way. And not let them see I'm angry. And when I don't see nothing changed I stopped. Because I know it will never change. Or something that has happened prior to my employment and it continues when I start with the company why would I complain about it. Its wasn't fixed than what makes me think me it will fix now. When companies tells you it's "an open door policy" or please address your concern I do the opposite. That is a trap. A nay nay for me. I know all this too well. I just pick up my checks and go home. The ones that complaints alot(I noticed) they disappeared few weeks later lol. Don't let your job get over your head regardless you hate your job, boss or coworkers. They don't pay my bills.
I like your professionalism, knowledge and expertise in this field.
In the past I went trough many of those HR attitudes and Behaviors. 🙋♀️
Wish I'd seen this 3 yrs ago, before I thought I was being helpful telling my boss they were asking me to do something illegal. I was suddenly fired. I had nothing in writing, wasted three years trying to sue before giving up.
You could of went to eeoc.. if you have any form of evidence
Useful for everyone who works. Thanks!
Love these videos. It would be great if you could talk about non profits and how they differ from the corporate world. I spent decades working in the world of non-profits.
Geeeeeeeeeze, I really believed they cared about me, or at the very least, my work, skill, and professionalism. But, (butt😂) I screwed up hugely because I believed all of that. Yea, I was written up, I complained verbally at least 1x a week because they kept promising they were working on it. Yes, it's a problem, we are working on it. I was on safety 2(they regretted that because I was trained in safety and doing my job trying to make the place safer). They also made me a coach: "Because I was excellent with the customers, my product knowledge was very high, so they counted on me to teach working unsupervised, efficiently, and bringing back çustomers. " which I did.
I wish I had seen this video prior to today. 😢 No one was willing to help but claimed they were. I was snookered through my own ignorance.
Thank you for all your information. I appreciate all you do. 😊
Great video. Thank you!
Your presentation is great and refreshing. Thanks!
Printing the email is super important. I've seen a school district delete an email they sent to an employee.
Love it !!! Thank you 🙏🏾
Thank you for your helpful videos
Awesome! Thank you!
Thank you so much for making these videos. Really helpful
What a great example to lead yourself to a better life
They love it when you prove you can show you can make them more money by solving a problem with a solution.
Bingo
I would love to work for this guy just so I could learn from him.
Thank you for making this video, really wish I'd seen it two years ago.
Excellent!!!
...When the finger points up to "LIKE"😄😁😄
How about complaining to HR animosity? You haven't made a video on that topic. I really admire your work. Excellent. Please make a video regarding this topic. It will be very helpful for a lot of people. Thank you.
I have years of written complaints to HR and to company Ethics department.
And I still continue to get harassed at work. Management are a bunch of bullies and company does nothing about.
We are class a drivers for a dairy in so cal. We are constantly having to look over our shoulders and hope not to make a mistake, our supervisors are write up happy and we don't get support from our union representative.
You and your co-workers are the Union! Keep records of every little thing incase you have a case against them in the future. Their greed will always trump ethics. Good luck.
I'm from Canada. What is your advice? Same here being bullied, mobbed, gaslighting, harassed at the hospital for over 12 years. I've happened to be the top worker for 38 years and have never been suspended. These bullies are jealous and miserable people. Union, manager, HR and the police are all totally useless. Bullies are lazy bums and stupid managers are scared of the bullies. They say about me I'm crazy, I drink, I'm a stalker all bs defamation of character. The biggest mistake since they removed disciplinary measures. They should arrest the bullies and fire the manager. Action speaks louder than nasty words. It destroyed my reputation. I will never quit to make these lazy bums ever win. If I decide to transfer to another hospital and may start mobbing me once again, I don't know all the new managers etc. like in every department like now. So best to not change hospitals. I will never let bullies try to control me from quitting. Never let these low life lazy bums win ever win.
Very insightful 🥸 (and funny 🤓). Thank you!
Complaining at my workplace accomplishes the same thing as telling my landlord I'm not paying rent anymore but I am going to continue living in my apartment.
And you know what the landlord is gonna do.
Uh oh
You shouldn't call it complaining. You need to call it as "expressing your concerns"
Ive been pressured to resign due to stress from workplace bullying from a supervisor and retaliation after verbally reporting the issue. I was switched departments then not able to be rescheduled, I was told I can get my paycheck in 2 days instead of waiting for usual payday, I urgently needed the money and didn't realize how worse it makes this all because I resigned. I called and report to H R after but they told me they would investigate. Now I'm stressing that i cannot win this
My hours also been cut and I've been independently treated different.
thanks so much for making useful videos. I really learn a lot from you.
Oh boy I loved learning this. Following the rules and policies ultimately leading to my resignation. Love me some healthcare. Can't advocate for patients without some personal cost.
I mostly agree except for the secret recording. There are approximately 15 two party consent states, the rest are one party. I would only recommend recording if you know you're walking into an egregious situation. For example, if you are confident you're just going to be yelled at, belittled or conversely improperly propositioned. These things do happen in the workplace and frankly sometimes they need to be heard to be believed. On the other hand, don't record a routine discussion of work performance, etc. A third party reviewing it will scrutinize you for manipulation/ steering given you are the party that is recording. And if you think you can cleverly manipulate the situation forget it. An impartial, dispassionate third party will see through you in a minute.
Wow! Thanks for this info 👍
Thanks for this. U are awesome!!
Great video!
Very helpful!
This was very helpful even being in Illinois.
I love the way you speak!
me too♥
Just find another job… some places are just shitty… keep trying till you find a good work home… it make take a couple times… but eventually you’ll find your fit… Sorta like the ole saying, “There a recliner for every ass”…. Just find yours… you’ll be so much happier and healthier… 👊🏼💯💙😎
I've picked and chose my battles. I would flip out on things, that I knew no one could counter. And every question I brought up, was answered with "i don't know", or "we didn't do that." One time I got so heated, I almost fired managers above me, and coworkers next to me. The end result was always, if you don't like it, there is the door. And after I left, the company always wanted me back. And I would explicitly refer back to the "there is the door" conversation.
But be warned: if you fire your manager, you will be forced to take his place, and that will persuade you to walk out the door on the spot. Trust me, I know all too well.
please tell me to chew my ego out...there's alot I would like to verbalize but we have to play it smart.
@@IreneSee yup. Playing it smart is definitely key.
These tips are very helpful
Thank you I am going to do exactly what you said to do.😊 because I have a problem with my boss.
Love this video! Super helpful! Thanks
I am in the process of getting back out in the workforce after raising kids and I am so glad to find his videos!
yeap, there it’s a lot of people that just complain to other co-workers but never do what they should. even when the boss or person in-charge bullies you in verbal, just write down an email with the words “per our conversation, you said ********** “ that would make them think next time they want to talk to you. have everything in writing and at the end of that email write “saving a copy for further reference” that’s it.
Thank you 😊 ❤!! Helpful information
I work in a grocery store and your advice would actually get me labeled a complainer and I would probably be retaliated against because of it. Sending emails in my company is seen as weird and going to HR is seen as going over the store manager's head. The unspoken rule is that we're supposed to make verbal complaints to our direct superiors.
That's first person you should complain too; if they have not resolved the issue within reason, then you go to someone else.
@@Carib6855 but like the video said, those are often verbal and undocumented
@@Carib6855if you complain verbally you WILL BE FIRED
You should move to TEXAS! PLEASE! Love your channel, LOVE IT!!
“I feel like I’m being treated poorly.”
Thank you 🎉
SUBBED!! Where have u been my whole life??
P S.:. Your info helped so very much. It is amazing how the existing situation I came upon has escalated to very scary interactions.
What if the problem is your boss, who is HIGH UP (CFO) and HR has a decade long history of doing nothing when others have complained, pushed out, and or fired?
Thank you
Just from my personal observations (i am not in HR), no one is waiting for complaints to react. Working environment (atmosphere) is being c o n s t a n t l y monitored. HR, Management, Seniors they have first of all ears in open spaces incl kitchens, patios, etc, such tools like slack on paid subscription can be monitored as well (by admins). There is also annual feedback talk with 360 degree review, where your colleagues have an authorised way to complain / praise (for whatever reason), so HR and management just confirm their own observations. So when one just shows up near HR door with a 'complaint' they already know what you are going to say, who is involved. This is 99% of cases being reported. The rest is just a matter of who is cheaper for the company, which way is easier, less demanding when it comes to public communication, favouritism also is a key to solution . The only one true fact is that both reporter and 'evil' being reported soon leave the company. I also personally observed the cases where the motivation of complaint was just an envy and word caught out of context. A huge question here, why they do nothing if they know what is happening? Why do they need a complaint in a written form to start acting? Funny, right?
Very useful.
No --work harassment to the victim is just what it is. HR doesnt care even when you show them their policies on ethics and unprofessionalism. Disparate treatment. These things lawyers will not touch. You and other lawyers will say there is nothing they can do and suggest the victim to find another job. Lawyers need to help victims with preventive methods to these issues before their is any disciplinary action and or termination. Lawyers aren't interested in prevention they are interested in how much money they might make depending on the case!
I'm from Canada. What is your advice? Same here being bullied, mobbed, gaslighting, harassed at the hospital for over 12 years. I've happened to be the top worker for 38 years and have never been suspended. These bullies are jealous and miserable people. Union, manager, HR and the police are all totally useless. Bullies are lazy bums and stupid managers are scared of the bullies. They say about me I'm crazy, I drink, I'm a stalker all bs defamation of character. The biggest mistake since they removed disciplinary measures. They should arrest the bullies and fire the manager. Action speaks louder than nasty words. It destroyed my reputation. I will never quit to make these lazy bums ever win. If I decide to transfer to another hospital and may start mobbing me once again, I don't know all the new managers etc. like in every department like now. So best to not change hospitals. I will never let bullies try to control me from quitting. Never let these low life lazy bums win ever win.
Some people have poor work ethic, who fail to take responsibility, feel entitled to more than agreed upon at employment, and blame everone else instead of finding a way to figure out how to perform the task
How to Complain at Work Properly? DON"T either quit or if possible ignore it. Play dumb/dead you'll be fine. I talk with experience!
So true. I was terribly treated and complained about previous management. Never did that before. But i also never had so toxic manager before. Then they left and new management was employed. The new guys don’t bother what were the reasons for my complaints. All they think about is that if i complained about somebody in the past i might complain also about them. And now am being forced to resign. First, they prety brutally forced me to leave. Now they realised that am not as weak as they thought, and now they use more coward ways to gather evidence against me. Although am one of the top performers in the team and great team player. If only i would know what a hell my life will become... My advice is either stay quiet and try to ignore all the crap, or find another job. HR is not your friend. They are there only to protect company from legal cases.
Exactly. If people wants to keep their job and put food on the table. Mostly likely we will not win. Don't try to be a hero isn't gonna work. Unless you have money set aside to hire an attorney than yes. Speak from experienced as well( seeing what happened to people who complained alot)
Sad but I get it
You are so right...I still have to stand up for myself. Still there but not many promotions. Lol
Words of Wisdom. Whenever someone tells me they complained I tell them next time complain to a plant. At least it can use the CO2 you are admitting when you speak. Why would a lawyer know anything about this?
I love the advice in these videos. The music track in the background (around the halftime mark) sounds like it might be something I heard in a harassment education video. jk! Really, keep up the good public ed on employment law. Thank you.
The little guy never wins, we need a job and they know it, then they use intimidation, write ups, and mandatory overtime and mandatory weekends, I used to fall asleep driving, get home and fall asleep on the sofa until it was time to go back to work, waking up with fear that I was going to be late and get fired. They Rush you to finish because the truck is waiting for you to finish, I use to get 10¢ raise a year, this was factory work , I have seen ladies workers going mad, running out crying.
What I have come to realize is that even if your complaint is valid and they know it, you still will not win . If you want to have any type of right to your voice as far as work , keep an attorney on retainer because you will almost always be the bad guy.
So helpful! My coworkers and I are so dismayed about the obvious gender pay gap at our work. In the last two quarters, about dozen people were hired for exactly the same position with exactly the same responsibilities. All from a variety of backgrounds. But there are three different wages: $16, $17, and $18 an hour. And when we asked around, we discovered that 100% of those with the $18 starting salary were men. In fact, $18 is the most common salary for the men hired. The women are evenly split between 16 and 17. The women who earn 16 are over 30 and have children. The women who earn 17 are under 30 and childless. For the men who earn 18, there is no indication that they have any more skill, experience, or education than the people who earn less. In fact, a majority of the $18 men actually have fewer qualifying characteristics than those who earned 17 and 16. I want to fight for equal pay at my office, but I don't want to create trouble or paint a target on my back. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I think it depends on their qualifications plus men are more likely to negotiate their pay, where I worked we were payed the same amount, me a 40 yr old who never had a job before that job (I was raising my kids) was payed the same amount as my son's friend who was 18.
*Our wages were $24 an hour
@@belmum1689
What job/ company pays 18 year olds $24 dollars an hour? Its sounds hard to believe.
Thank you Cap. Zapp Brannigan 🚀🚀
I love your videos. I wish you practiced in Texas. I think San Antonio alone could keep you very busy with law suits.
If you're paid hourly and there's no union in place where you are employed retaliation against you is guaranteed. Whatever you report to management will be used against you and you'll be known to the entire company as a trouble maker. Everyone will know exactly what was reported and exactly who did the reporting.
I learned that it's so important to send emails and be careful how you word a complaint. Try working for the State of Connecticut
I'M LEAVING MY COMPANY AND HAVING A HOT GIRL SUMMER. THANK YOU.
What if you have access to their emails and discover the plot against you. Can you print out the email and present to your lawyer? Because in my ordinary way of doing things, I would think that as long as that vindicates you, it should be admissible evidence in court. How does one go about this?
Would be better to print them then have the attorney pull those email through discovery so it's legal. If they delete the emails they can probably be recovered. I would only present the printed version to your lawyer to make the best decision to do with it if discovery doesn't work.
Very helpful!! I love all the Butts!!!!
Yes:)
"JUST DO IT! JUST DO IT!" I'm learning.
Nah, real talk my dude, that opening statement...
Hostile work environment is actually more of a common term now as opposed to simply legal.
In regards to recording your complaint, Texas is a one party consent state, and that consent can be your own 🙂
Love your videos
What exactly is the reason that we should be writing in that it's "unlawful"?
Is that to hint at the company to take action to rectify the situation or is it for legal reasons to ensure that our written complaint will be valid in court?
I am currently drafting a written complaint but it is for the sole purpose of being used in the future as evidence. I do have a solution that the employer will probably reject but I am afraid of more retaliation if my employer actually carries out the only reasonable solution I've thought of.
Ty so much ❤ u suggested we use language such as " I feel like I'm being treated poorly" I agree, that's a great tone.
However, I want to know if it's also okay to use " I feel like am being treated unfairly or in a discriminatory manner( though I prefer" unfairly " more. I just want to make sure. Thnks.