Hi, my name is crown! US work discrimination

crown

Fighting Back Against Discrimination and Injustice: 

My Story with Mental Illness and Employer Retaliation my name is Jeffrey [Removed by moderator - Personal information] and I once worked as a supervisor for a carpet cleaning company called Millicare/Milliken & Company,M.E.S. of Atlanta & Trilogy Fm where I led teams of technicians on various jobs.i was proud of my work and dedication. But everything changed when my employer introduced a new pay policy that left me uncertain about how much I would be paid until payday.As someone living with bipolar disorder, this uncertainty profoundly affected my mental health.

One day, overwhelmed by this new policy and the heavy work load I had a serious episode that required me to seek medical treatment urgently. I responsibly requested medical leave for 3 days so I can focus on my health and I went to the hospital to stabilize myself. While I was there, I was told that my employer called the hospital requesting for my medical records. Out of fear of losing my job, I agreed to release the records, though I didn’t fully understand why they needed them.

That same day, my employer held a company meeting where they asked my coworkers how they felt about working with someone who has bipolar disorder. To my shock, I was fired immediately afterward which will be the 1st day in the hospital. I was devastated by the blatant discrimination and retaliation I faced for simply taking care of my mental health as allowed by law.

I filed a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on 1/10/2005 and was able to prove my case twenty months later/when the process was only supposed to take only six months but they continue to string me along until they decided to kick me out. The EEOC Investigator said they would take my employer to court if no settlement was reached, but instead, I was given a “right to sue” letter, meaning I would have to fight the case on my own. I learned the EEOC was actually working alongside my employer’s legal team to dismiss my claims, which only made things harder for me.

When I filed a complaint in federal court alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Equal Pay Act (EPA) due to the unfair pay system, the judge in the United States Federal Court in Atlanta Georgia demanded I use a special electronic system to file my paperwork—a system only lawyers typically has access to.Unable to do so as a self-represented litigant, my case was later dismissed all because I wasn't able to obtain the electronic system to continue my fight against my former employer Millicare/Milliken & Company, M.E.S. Of Atlanta LLC and Trilogy FM within the Federal Court House.

On top of that, during this time, my Social Security benefits were wrongfully terminated based on false accusations of overpayment and misrepresentations about how long I had been receiving benefits. I have faced more than twenty years of harassment and retaliation that both my former employer and government agencies participated in the fruad, all because I stood up for my rights.

Despite these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, I have not given up. I continue to fight against the injustice, systemic discrimination, and retaliation faced by people with disabilities, especially those with mental illness.

My story is not just about me—it is about shedding light on how powerful organizations and government bodies can sometimes work together to silence and punish individuals trying to protect their dignity and rights.

I share my experience to raise awareness, inspire others facing similar battles, and call for real change in how employers and governments treat people with disabilities. There are still good people fighting for justice, and one day, the truth will come out.

Thank you for taking a little bit of your time to read my story of importance and urgency for all of my fellow citizens & future americans citizens that's thinking about making this great nation their new home.Signal a head with God speed and may God Bless you and continue to keep you safe,Amen.

Sincerely, 
Jeffrey [Removed by moderator - Personal Information]

*Fyi- The end is near for the US Government For what they did to me and my twin brother James [Removed by moderator - Personal Information] behind the bail out of this private corporation that believes he is above the law I refuse to lose because I know one of these day my lord and savior Jesus Christ will deliver me and my rwin brother from all this evil. The United States Government is going to respect us again instead of pretending like they do (*a person with a disability of any kind)in a very big way.

onmylonesome

@crown

This is a UK community.

Chris75_

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1082807#Comment_1082807

I believe anyone can join this forum, but yes, the vast majority will be UK based.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @crown and welcome to the community. As others have said, this is a UK based community but it's interesting, and saddening to hear about your situation. The laws in the UK are different to those in the States and I feel that we are better protected here. I hope that there are changes made over there.

Santosha12

Even though you're US based @crown, I salute your courage and your strength of character. Things are definitely not ok here in the UK with regards to employment for many of us with disabilities. Oh the right 'noises' might be made but the reality does not match the rhetoric. Take good care of yourself first and foremost and thank you for sharing.