OT---now I am "psycho"????

Just venting... I've wrote about the situation I have been in for the last few months. I turned into the state my "friends" for providing falsified documents (board minutes that they signed my name to). Neither "friend" has talked to me in 2 1/2 months. I have a clear conscience as I did the "right thing", and also protected my occupational therapist license.

However, now, I have found out that my "friends" (the president of the board and executive director) have been spreading rumors throughout the county. They are telling everyone I am "off my meds" and that I am "psychotic and delusional". They are telling other board members and people in the community that I reported "psychotic" gibberish to the state that the state couldn't understand.

None of this is true, of course. But it will affect my ability to get a job in this county, because especially with the executive director, she is highly respected by community members. I've been professional and maintained confidentality and let the state do its job, despite its many costs to me.

Do any of you have advice on what to do? A few people I have confided in say I should get a lawyer and sue for slander. I don't think that's the best position to take either. I just don't know where to go from here. Thanks, Lovey

Kopoloff has some friends who can help. Not nice people, better to be our friends than theirs

Is that what you were thinking?

K


PS sort of kidding

I'd say lawyer up. But you need some kind of proof. Anyone who's heard the rumor will play Sergeant Schultz if a lawyer comes to call. So would need to find someone, more than one, willing to attest to the rumors or a letter of some kind. You may need to demonstrate how this has injured you.

The other route would be to check into whistleblower legislation that may apply to you. That may lower the criteria for proof.

I do not have any advice for you but just wanted to say I am so sorry you are going through this and I will pray that you will come through this free and clear and be able to hopefully move on to a much better employer and go on to have much success. Hang in there and let us know what happens. People do not like to hear the truth about themselves so they will point the finger at the person that reported them. I like the suggestion about looking into the whistleblower act. Good luck.

I agree about checking out the whistleblower act. Do you have any idea what is happening at the state level about them forging your name on documents? I think a letter to the state to be added to your file with any facts you have about their conduct wouldn't be a bad idea.

As far as any future job pursuits, your manner of handling yourself will speak for you. If it's with someone who has heard the "sour grapes" of your former employer, just you saying you seek to work at place where integrity is valued is enough to let them know there's more to the story than what they heard.

It is a common tactic of wrongdoers to attempt to discredit their accuser. It's either a desperate attempt at damage control or purposeful revenge. Either way, they have so much at stake, they will probably never own up to the situation as it is. Too bad.

Actually, it was a volunteer position (I am on the board of a non-profit agency), not an employer. I was especially believed by the state because I was a volunteer, and had no vested interest in coming forward. I would have to know quite a bit about the agency before ever becoming a board member again. I wouldn't have been protected by board insurance also in this situation, as if I didn't come forward, I would be seen as colluding to provide false information, an illegal act. So I could have been sued personally also.

It's just a horrible situation. I don't deserve one bit of the treatment I am getting, especially by my "friends" of ten years. My "best friend" and I accidentally met in Walmart and she wouldn't talk to me and walked away. She is someone who supposedly "loves" me. Now I hear she's one of the ones spreading the psycho rumors.

I am so disappointed in people right now. I went to a MLK celebration at the local high school, that had 5 choirs, and wonderful speakers, including our state legislator. Twenty people showed up. I was one of two who were "white". There were "white" people who presented, but then they left. All they did was "made an appearance". During the presentation, a local "black" community center asked for volunteers for tutors and help with paperwork, so I thought I'd get on the web and look at their website. Somebody put a trojan computer virus on their site, probably in retaliation for Obama's inaugration. It took over 2 hours to get my computer back to running properly. Luckily, I have a lot of computer knowledge, but what about those who don't? Anyways, both of these show how much we have still to go.

I'm also tired of living in poverty because of my medical bills and insurance, and getting nowhere in my advocacy. So far all talk, no action.

I am just sad right now. I do not see the "hope" that everyone is clinging to right now.

P.S. I just read Kathy's post. The state believes me 100%, and is aware of the "rumors" at this point. I've protected my occupational therapy license by being the whistleblower and not colluding, and if anything was to happen in regards to my license, I have plenty of evidence that I did what was right and moral, and the state has written my contacts into a further plan of correction for the agency. Nobody will tell me actually what is happening with the agency, especially the state. I can understand this. I am still on the board of directors, as I feel I should stay as a statement to the director and board. So complicated! Anyways, take care, Lovey

With "friends" like those, you don't need enemies.
Figuratively speaking......"Don't take a knife to a gunfight".......be well armed with documentation. If you can get the names of those who have been told those things by your superiors and any documentation from those who were told about what was said and when.......and then report that to those (at the state) who you've reported this to. And, if you aren't satisfied with their answers, go to the feds.

http://whistleblowerlaws.com/protection.htm

http://www.dol.gov/compliance/laws/comp ... blower.htm

http://www.osc.gov/wbdisc.htm


Den (been there, to some degree.....and have seen other examples of this, too)

Just having a hard night tonight. One of the hardest parts is that I have lost a circle of friends because of this. It's very lonely. Combine that with a lack of work (sub teaching--weather, too many subs because of the economy), and I don't have many reasons to go out any more. I can't afford to do anything anyways if I do go out. And I probably have seasonal affective disorder. Here in southwestern Michigan, last week, temps were down to -19, and -40 with windchill. It made it up to 22 today. By Friday, we are back down again to sub zero temps. Probably no school, so no work for me. I like winter, i.e. it's beautiful outside, but I don't like the affect on my life of winter.

Also, having a stomach ache today. Don't know if it's my emotions or something physical.

Take care, Lovey