Fabulous Geek

So i received an email today from Jeanine, who, as you’ll recall, sent out an email earlier asking for help with getting her job back. This email was a follow up about the whole ordeal.

December 11, 2005

Hi Everyone!

This is Jeanine Williams, (one of) your favorite hard working Stage Managers. First of all, I want to thank every person who read my email during the Thanksgiving weekend. Those who took time from their busy schedules to write letters on my behalf, there’s no word in the dictionary to describe how grateful and appreciative I am. (Believe me, I’ve checked.) Those who wanted to write but couldn’t, regardless of the reason, I’m still grateful that you read my story. As I’ve said before, my main concern was that my side wasn’t being heard. Thankfully, I knew people who cared enough about me professionally and personally to listen to me.

For those who are curious to know the outcome, I’ll be brief. (No, really I will.) Last Saturday was my arbitration with the Human Resources Manager of Stone Mountain Theme Park (SMTP). The only one present besides her and me was my immediate boss, the Entertainment/Wardrobe Manager, Ms. Lynn Dundon. Curiously, none of my detractors (including Carl, the main antagonist) were required to be there. In fact, none of them have been reprimanded in any way since my suspension, which I feel is clearly gross miscarriage of justice. Apparently, my behavior towards them was unacceptable and punishable, but theirs towards me wasn’t. Go figure.

Anyway, to make a longer story shorter, I was asked to recount the incident, which seemed to be cosmetic considering I was required to put it in writing before they’d even consider arbitration. The HR Manager, Audra, then asked me questions about certain statements I made. One of the more curious questions she asked was why I didn’t include exactly what I said to Carl (i.e. the cuss words), especially since in the witnesses statements, each person remembered the same things that I said, “word for word.” My response: that I didn’t feel it was necessary or appropriate, considering that the point was that I cursed, and that I admitted to it, and that I apologized for it (to Lynn, since I was never allowed to confront the others).

What perked my curiosity was this: how is it that each and every witness could remember, word for word, what I said, and that they each remembered the exact same things? That’s logically, and scientifically, impossible. When you’re in a crowd of people, and that crowd witnesses an event or incident, say, a hit and run car accident, each person in that crowd is going to have a different account of that accident, because every person’s perception is different. You all may have similar details or facts, but each person’s account isn’t going to be an exact, word for word match. That doesn’t even happen on T.V. shows, including the “reality” ones. So how did these witnesses defy logic and science? My theory is that they discussed the incident, probably more than once since more than a week passed between my suspension and the arbitration, and then compared notes so that they could get their stories straight when Lynn approached them for statements. I know this is all circumstantial, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible.

As far as me not getting a verbal or written warning, Audra explained that SMTP does have a series of steps that are part of the disciplinary process, including a verbal and written warning, suspension, and then termination. However, she says that “in extreme and serious cases, we reserve the right to skip over steps in the process. And Lynne felt that this was an extreme enough case to go straight to termination.” I’m sorry, but is cussing someone out, especially after being provoked, really that extreme? I’d hate to see what would’ve happened to me if I actually put my hands on Carl, whether pushing, poking, or punching him out? I’d probably be writing this email from Dekalb County Jail. So profanity is severe and irreprehensible, but open discussions on anal sex, threesomes, and STD’s are perfectly acceptable? Am I the only one who finds that logic, I don?t know, STUPID?

Well, Audra said she’d have a decision by the following Monday, and that she’d call me that afternoon. I figured that I had as much chance of being vindicated as Satan buying an air conditioner from Sears, especially since Lynne stood by her original decision, deciding that it was the best for all concerned. (Whatever.) In fact, Lynne emphasized that I would never be able to regain the others’ respect. Yeah, like I’d respect anyone who calls me Ho-J Simpson behind my back. (More on that in a sec.) Just as I figured, Audra called me to say that she was upholding the termination. I asked her if there was a severance (as in pay), and after explaining to her what that meant, she said no. She felt that they owed me nothing. However, I can still use them as a reference. (????)

So last Friday, I spent a better part of the afternoon playing their game of “let’s hide Jeanine’s last paycheck so that she’ll have to drive all over SMTP looking for it.” Interestingly enough, when I turned in my (fugly) uniform, they had no record of it being checked out to me. Typical of my experience, as I constantly had to ID myself to people who worked in the park (“Ma’am, you can’t go in there.” Me: “But I work here!?) When I finally got my check from HR, after taxes and health insurance, the total was just enough to buy a half-tank of gas (or two extra value meals from Mickey D’s, whichever one you feel is a higher priority). I don’t plan to cash the check, because it symbolizes my whole SMTP experience. Besides, I’ve maintained that fighting the termination wasn’t about the money, but about my principles and professional reputation, and trust me, that paycheck proves it!

Fortunately, not everyone in the Entertainment Department of SMTP thinks I’m the devil-spawn. In fact, one of my friendly associates contacted me after the ruling. “Jeanine, I just thought that you should know, but when Lynn mentioned to the gang that you were officially not returning, these were some of the comments that I overheard.” Enjoy.

“Ding dong, the witch is dead.”

“Cruella de Ville has now left the building.”

And my personal favorite, allegedly courtesy of Mr. “you-know-who”:
“Looks like O.J. didn’t get acquitted this time, honey. Or should I say, Ho-J.”

Sometimes life forces you to ask yourself some tough questions. Mine is do I really want to work with a group of people who call me the above names behind my back, without objection or criticism from their peers? Do I want to work with people who find my profanity immoral and profane, but a co-worker like Carl referring to me as O.J. Simpson and implying that my arbitration and the events preceding it were like the Simpson trial valid and justified?

To both of those questions, I answer: Hell no! I don’t want to have anything to do with those Motherf——! All of those hypocrites can kiss my g—— ass! On both sides!

God bless you all. And thanks again from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,
Jeanine

P.S. Although Lynne has copies of my supporters emails, those emails for some reason didn’t reach Audra the HR Mgr. I know because I sat directly in front of her desk and looked for them. She did however, have copies of my adversaries letters and statements. Who says your vote doesn’t count? (Sigh.)

In my opinion, Stone Mountain got what they deserved. Jeanine is too good of a person to be working with such sleaze balls anyway.

Posted: Sunday, December 11th, 2005 @ 4:00 am
Categories: Blog.
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