Location: California
Background:
I am a black woman who was recently terminated from my position as an Administrative Assistant at a corporation in Folsom, California. I believe my termination was retaliatory and potentially racially discriminatory. Looking for guidance…
What happened:
On Thursday April 30th a USB went missing from a coworker’s desk. That coworker reported it to our team lead. Despite me having zero involvement with USBs or scanning responsibilities for over two months — after being formally reassigned — the team lead immediately directed my coworker to approach me and implied I might know where it was. The USB was last seen on my coworker’s desk. Not mine. I had not touched these materials in over two months. The team lead knew this.
I was the only black person in that team. Out of everyone in that office I was the first person pointed to for a missing item I had no connection to whatsoever.
My response:
I was understandably upset. I confronted the team lead about it. I also immediately sent a formal professional email to my manager documenting the situation the same day. Timestamped. Because my manager was out I forwarded it to the next person in charge — which was appropriate escalation not jumping chain of command.
Friday May 1st:
I was sent home with pay. I was told it was in everyone’s best interest because I was emotional. The team lead who accused me was not sent home. My coworker who delivered the accusation was not sent home. Only me.
Monday May 4th:
I returned to work. No HR meeting happened despite one being expected. I waited professionally all day. At 3:04 PM before I left for the day, I sent a formal follow up email to HR documenting that no one had reached out. Timestamped.
Tuesday May 5th — today:
HR responded and assigned an HR business partner named Mackenzie to my case. Mackenzie is out until May 11th traveling. I sent a professional follow up email at 10:21 AM requesting an alternative meeting with someone available sooner.
Within hours of that email I was terminated. My system access was immediately and completely revoked with no warning.
Important additional context:
- I had a formal promotion already secured to a different department within the same company
- The termination happened immediately after active HR engagement
- My access was revoked instantly suggesting this termination was planned in advance
- I was the only person sent home or disciplined throughout this entire situation
- The person who started this faced zero consequences throughout
- At least two other employees on this team who were reported to HR by coworkers for bullying. Both were written up as a result of those complaints. Despite being the subject of formal HR complaints for bullying both were subsequently promoted to other positions within the company.
I have not signed anything yet. I have pictures of the emails I sent including the replies. I am looking for guidance on how to proceed.