Should I tell My Boss or just show up in court?

Question

So a coworker was recently fired from my work for being a day late on maternity leave because her doctor was on vacation and couldnt fill out any return paperwork. My manager called her and said oh well I have a business to run so if your not here by noon I'll have to let you go. Well we believe my manager didnt have HR approval for this because when my ex coworker called to say she wouldn't be in that day my manager kept saying well you remember our convesation right? well so you resigning right? my coworker kept saying no but my manager continued calling asking for a letter of resignantion but my coworker didn't respond. During my coworkers pregnancy she was harrased for being pregnant (called in to the office and repremanded for anything/everything) so she ended up on FMLA. So now I got a phone call from Legal Services in the town my coworker lives because she is going to court about unemployment (my work is denying it so there going for appeal) I was asked a bunch of questions and asked to go to the court. I feel what happend to her wasnt right and concidering I am trying to soon be pregnant I want this situation out there, however I fear if I aid in her appeal I may face harrasment at work. What should I do? Should I tell my manager right off the bat I've been broughten in so then she is aware ahead of time?

Any sugestions?

Answer 1

s***w him! If he continues this bullshit, he'll wind up in court with you, too, and the company will probably fire his åss.

Answer 2

i would help your co-worker or this horible person is just going to do the same thing over and over i know for you it will not be easy but in the long run it will be better for all who work with u  

Answer 3

If you receive a summons to court you have no choice but to show up.  Ask Legal Services to send you a summons, that way not showing up just isn't an option.

Answer 4

I would suggest that you discuss this with Legal Services folks and tell them that your job is in jeopardy if you go to court.  See what they have to say.  

Answer 5

You're going to need to tell your manager if you need to take any time off to appear in court, however, you don't need to give your manager the reason for why you're going to be in court. I'd ask Legal Services if you're ever going to have to go on the stand and face your manager, or tell them what you're fearing and see what they suggest. It sounds like this manager is quite the piece of work- I wouldn't give out any more information than you need to.  

Answer 6

He should know by now that you are a witness for your friend. Sounds like your friend made all the right moves. She could not return from maternity leave without a release from her doctor for starters. The manager should be fired. If he retaliates report him to HR. Apparently he has no authority to terminate your friend, because if he had this would have never ended up in court.

Answer 7

seek out a lawyer who need labor laws

Answer 8

Loyalty is a good thing. To everyone. Tell your boss you've been contacted, tell the truth about the situation, and limit your involvement to what you are required to do.

ANything else is begging trouble

Answer 9

Don't tell your boss anything, or anyone else at work, they could rat on you.  You had better talk to Legal Services about your fear of testifying in Court, what could happen to you. Your boss could falsify personnel records and try to discredit you if she knows you are going to Court. If you have to tell her you will not be at work on that day, just tell her it's a personal matter. But, if I were you, I would start looking for another job, your situation COULD get a lot worse! When in Court, stick to the facts, dates and time, don't elaborate unless asked to.  Stay cool, and good luck!

Answer 10

I wouldn't tell your boss anything at this time. Play it close to the chest and play it by ear. If you are asked to go to court ask for a subpeona which will cover you (sort-of) with your boss.Your boss sounds vindictive and I would begin to document EVERYTHING in case you end up in the same situation. Also, talk to your former co-worker and advise her that she could probably sue if, as I am assuming, your place of employment required her to bring a medical release back from her FMLA. How could she return to work if she could not be released?

Answer 11

Wow you are in a difficult spot on one hand if you do nothing, what's to stop them treating you the same way once you get pregnant.  Does your manager have a manager that you could talk to about this.  I think talking to someone higher up would be a good idea.

Answer 12

Have your friend issue you a subpoena.

You're legally required to go to Court then and your manager won't have an excuse to fire you.

He may anyway - sounds like he makes up the rules as he goes along.

But then YOU can sue him as well.

Answer 13

unless you are being forced to go to court,  you can be fired for missing work.

Unless you have another job lined up,  I would not go.