Complaint Review: Tropicana Products / HR Representative - Wendsda Furman / Department Supervisor - Gene McCormick / - Bradenton Florida

After making an appeal to the Human Resource Department at Tropicana Products in writing to stop the actions of individuals creating a hostile work environment, I am left with no recourse but to file a report with the EEOC for a full investigation. I made my verbal presentation to Branko Savic on July 27th of this year (time clock stamp on my written notes for legal proof). In that meeting with a Union representative present, Jay Fouts, I made the request for an investigation into claim that our lead person, Michelle Gilley was contiuously disrespectful toward the Utility II laborers and Logistic Forklift driver with whom she had responsibility to direct in the Repack Department. I had previously made verbal appeal for cooperation by my Department Supervisor, Gene McCormick to address these issues and stop the verbal attacks and acts of disrespect increasing to a level of demostrated violence in the workplace not tolerated by Tropicana code of conduct documentation, QTG directives desiminated by e-mail postings, or the PepsiCo Code of Conduct (available on the web for anyone to read).

Mr. Savic assured me that he would inform the HR team coworkers of the information I had presented to him and that an investigation would persue in a timely manner. That was on a Thursday morning at 10:00 am the meeting lasted for one full hour because my time stamp as I left the HR Department confirms my departure at 11:00 am. I left Mr. Savic with copies of all my documentation and a signed list of 9 employees with their employee numbers seeking an end to the attacks directed toward them. I had an additional teammember sign the sheet later that evening since she had not been present to sign the sheet earlier that morning. I had asked for cooperation by the investigative team to please maintain confidentiality of the voluntary signers of the petition.

I was disappointed with the fact that later in the day Gene McCormick, Repack Department Supervisor was sharing a copy of the sign up list with the lead, Michelle Gilley to whom the investigation was about. The next few days were not pleasant as Ms. Gilley was enthusiastic in her verbal attacks in a retaliation mode of disrespect. Of course her emphasis was directed towards me and cat called loudly that if anyone was going to be fired it would be Me! I reported the conditions to the Union officers and asked for assistance to continue the investigation. The first of only five were interviewed starting Monday morning, by Tuesday afternoon, Ms. Gilley was absent for about 2 hours. When she returned all the wind was released from her bosterous demeanour displayed earlier in the day. But I was questioned by the rest of the teammembers who had signed the petition to testify their personal experiences and their observations of attack upon others in our workplace group. Were they not worthy of the respect to voice their oppinions? What happened to the PepsiCo code of conduct? Why not a complete investigation?

In order to properly prepare for my initial presentation to Mr. Savic, I had made a search for information related to Violence in the Workplace. I was rewarded with an excellent reference book from the Manatee Public Library by the author, Dennis A. Davis titled Threats Pending Fuses Burning, Managing Workplace Violence. I also found a complementary resource titled Management Ethics, by which helped build my case. I have also signed on as an active member of HRresource.com which is free to anyone who wants to know what the HR professional people are supposed to know. For example I have included a little excerpt...

What Employers Need to Know About Retaliation Claims

Dykema Gossett PLLC

October 11, 2005

Moving up the list of the most common types of employment related challenges by terminated employees are claims of retaliation. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the number of retaliation claims filed with that agency has doubled over a 10-year period, and now represents more than a quarter of all claims filed. Lawsuits alleging retaliation are also on the rise.

You see it's best to come prepared for the battle when on the attack mode against a large, well established corporate idenity like PepsiCo and its affiliates. I would like to keep my job and provide for my family, but I will not relinquish my advocatcy for the rights of my teammates on the job every day trying to produce the best orange juice and related products for the consuming public, that's you forum members. Let me know of your support and encouragement toward the laborers rights from the same class of people who risk firings every day on the job in the plant, in the office, in the field, behind the wheel, or at your desk. I will not give up, I'm an old hippie and I know how to protest injustice where ever I incounter it. I'm just not a very good speeler or profecient typist as you are aware trying to read my blog reports. Thank you for your support.

A special note for your consideration is that Mr. Branko Savic is no longer working at Tropicana Products for some mysterous reason. What happened Branko? Please let me know as soon as you read this ripoff report. A follow up discussion I have recently had with the HR representative now representing the Repack Department, Ms. Wendsda Furman says that if I don't stop stirring things up around here that I will regret the consiquences. Do you really mean to threaten me Ms. Furman? Stand by for more news from Tropicana Products here in sunny Bradenton, FL

Robert

Bradenton, Florida

U.S.A.