The Man from the US Department of Labor

 by Charissa Nasrallah  

Despite the fact I worked very hard to write a statement that was consistently honest to the man from the US Department of Labor, the park’s upper management responded by denying everything, even being my employer.  They claimed that since I was only an A2 worker without a salaried position, I didn’t count as an official employee, just like all the other A2 workers who made up about half of the park’s employees.  Upper management also informed both the Vet Tech and the Safety Officer that their new job descriptions and raises were being put on hold until they were done dealing with me.  Luckily the Vet Tech and Safety Officer both had enough character not to hold any animosity towards me because of this.  Despite the disapproval of the people in upper management, they still remained my faithful friends.

The man from the US Department of Labor contacted the Assistant Curator, Veterinary Technician and the Safety Officer as witnesses to the facts I had stated in my claim.  At the risk of retaliation from upper management, they agreed to speak to him and answer his questions about my job performance.  Later the man from the US Department of Labor contacted the men from the pesticide regulation place and they confirmed my participation in protected activity.

The man from the US Department of Labor contacted me, and asked if we could meet.  Days later we chatted over complimentary coffee at the Holiday Inn. 

He asked me several questions concerning the timing and nature of the events that had taken place.  I answered his questions with honest responses and told him how I had heard the park had denied everything.  I also informed him of everything I knew about what was currently going on at the park; how my friend had been fired, and how they were postponing the Safety Officer’s and Vet Tech’s raises, until they were through dealing with me.

The man from the US Department of Labor informed me it appeared I had a legitimate case and he wanted to do all that he could to help me.  He told me it was quite common for state agencies to deny any charges brought against them, but he was willing to help me get some compensation.  I just needed to let him know what I wanted.

I told him I wanted my job back, but he informed me that the park’s upper management was refusing this request because they believed I might be spiteful and dangerous when I returned and could push someone in a cage with one of the animals.  I told the man from the US Department of Labor this was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard, and he agreed.  He told me he would try to arrange some sort of severance package for me, but he only had the ability to do so much.  He advised me to talk to my legal advisors and come up with some terms of settlement.

It upset me that the park’s upper management was refusing to give me my job back, especially since they had illegally fired me for doing something to protect the land.   Many of my former co-workers were also upset by the recent decisions of upper management and wished me the best of luck in my settlement.  These people kept me well informed of what was happening around the park.  

I also received word that there were several people who believed I was pursuing this claim out of spite and greed.  This really bothered me since I was having a hard time convincing myself they were entirely wrong.  With out the prospect of returning to my job, I wasn’t exactly sure just what I was after.

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