Falsly Accused
03-14-2010, 11:27 PM
On January 15, 2010, I was terminated from my job. I was falsely accused of sexual harassment. When I first began working on my job, I noticed a woman who I thought I was very pretty (I, being a woman myself). Mind you, I am NOT gay, bi or a lesbian, but she was a lesbian. I am 100% straight. I don't know why I felt the way I did, I just did. I believe it was her "boyish" style that attracted me. I was too shy to speak to her, so I wrote her a couple of notes saying hello and introducing myself. I even offered to buy her lunch one time. After those notes, I never bothered her again because she apparently was not interested. She never really spoke because she was very shy. I just wanted to be friends and nothing more, because as I said earlier, I am not gay. So nothing ever came out of that. We remained co-workers. In my department, there were two other women working with me. One of the women loved to start trouble. She loved to cause problems and she loved to watch people get written up or fired. For what reason, I don't know. About six to eight months have gone by since I have spoken to the lesbian on my job. I did my work and went home at the end of each day. I never caused any problems or gotten into any kind of trouble with my boss. As I said earlier, six to eight months have gone by since I have spoken to anyone. One morning, I saw the "trouble-making" assistant coming out of the administrator's office. Not five minutes later, the administrator asked me to come into her office because she had to talk to me. She brought up the subject about the notes I had written to the other employee. I told her that I did nothing wrong. I introduced myself and offered to buy lunch and that was it. She wrote me up for sexual harassment (which did NOT occur) and made me sign a sheet of paper (by the way, I was told I didn't have to sign anything) and warned me that if I said anything to her out of the way, rolled my eyes or did anything it would be automatic termination. I said okay and left her office. I never spoke to the administrator again because she made me angry and I felt that she was being unfair. I know that the other employee whom I worked with in my department went back and told her that information. I know the lesbian did not do that. I am 1000% sure. Almost a year had gone by when a new supervisor for the laundry-housekeeping department began to work there. This man would talk to me, flirt with me and get fresh with me. Mind you, this individual is Caucasian and I am African-American. He one day told me that he wanted me to be his, "first black girl". I told him that was inapropriate and I would appreciate it if he would stop talking to me like that on the job. He said I was right and apologized. A month or so went by when my car began to act funny. I needed someone to put a part in it for me, because I had no clue as to how to do it myself. Well I happened to ask the housekeeping manager if he could help me. He said yes. We went to my car and my supervisor went with us to lend a hand. Well, we were out there quite a while because he apparently didn't know what he was doing. He would send my supervisor to the shed to get tools. While she was gone, he would make remarks towards me again and again and when she would return, he would shut up. I thanked him in advance for helping me with my vehicle and told him I would repay him when I got my next check or income tax check. He said, "Oh money. I'm a gigilo. I'll do anything for money." My supervisor heard him say this to me. When she walked off again to get more tools, he asked me what was he going to get in exchange for fixing my car. I told him MONEY. I told him there would be nothing else involved. He fixed my car and went inside. My youngest son had surgery the week before. I stayed home with him a few days while he got better. The next day, I called my supervisor to tell her that my son wasn't feeling good and that I would be staying home with him. She said it was okay, but I needed to call the administrator. I called the administrator and she told me that she received a complaint on me. I asked her about what. She told me that the housekeeping supervisor told her that I was hitting on him. He told her that I said I would do sexual favors for him for fixing my car. I did NO such of a thing. I told her on the phone that he was lying. I told her that I offered him money for fixing my car and nothing more. She did not listen to my side of the story. She immediately accused me of saying these things to him with no proof whatsoever just because she had written me up one time before. I cried on the phone for nearly 30 minutes begging her not to fire me because I was innocent. She did not offer to bring all parties into her office. She flat out terminated me over the phone. I felt so sick to my stomach, because I know I am innocent. The housekeeping supervisor then went to my supervisor and apologized to her over and over for getting me terminated. My supervisor was so angry with me. Why would you apologize and feel bad if I I did what you said I did? Makes no sense to me. I couldn't even face anyone when I went to pick up my last check because of embarassment. I cried the minute I walked into the office to get my check. He happened to be in the office at the time. He looked at me with this sorry, pitiful look in his eyes because he knows he is a liar. The next day I went to the Unemployment Office to file for benefits until I can get on my feet because I have two children to feed. I waited a month only to receive a denial letter in the mail. In the letter, it stated that I was denied because I sexually harassed an employee and was given a warning. I then proceeded to solicit a relationship even after being warned, which was a complete LIE. I did NOT solicit a relationship with anyone and I did NOT sexually harass anyone. I also have FOUR witnesses who know how the housekeeping supervisor is. So what I would like to know is, can I sue the administrator for lying and wrongfully terminating me? As I stated earlier, I have FOUR witnesses. I would also like to know is, can I get her for lying to the Unemployment Office? She said that she warned me. She NEVER warned me about the housekeeping manager, (she flat out fired me) only the other employee and I DID NOT solicit a relationship with her. I haven't spoken to her in over a year. What can I do about this? I am suffering big time. I can't even afford to purchase pull-ups for my youngest son. I have to constantly borrow money from family and friends. My light bill and phone bill are due in four days and I don't know how I am going to pay it. Many of my friends have said this is pain and suffering and it is. My youngest son is still wearing shoes that have holes in them because I can't afford to buy him any. I am so upset about the whole thing and sometimes I feel like commiting suicide. This man is still working there and it is unfair. What can I do? Any advice?