My wife is being punished for my political activity

[SoxFan]

I've kept quiet about this, but I need to vent.

My wife's boss is punishing her because of my political activity.

She works at a local homeless shelter. The shelter director is friends with the palooka that I defeated for alderman on Nov. 6. After I filed as a candidate last summer, my wife's hours were cut by about 25%. I mentioned this to a member of the shelter board of directors, and things briefly improved, but now she is back to a 30 hour per week schedule. Worse, the director brought in someone to serve as "assistant director", without letting any of the long-time staffers apply for the position.

It gets better. The shelter director has been posting some very sleazy comments about me and some of my supporters on a local political site. The comments were clearly defamatory, and were removed, but they were posted.

He also called me a "DINO", which is rather ironic coming from a guy who was a member of the NH Green Party executive committee.

Amazingly, this guy's salary is paid for by grants from city government. He actually thinks it's in his best interest to insult aldermen and screw with their family members.

:rant:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear BlueDogDemocratNH!

That is just beyond horrifying...

This is certainly unethical, or even illegal...

Is there someplace, or someone, you can report him to?

I mean...fuck him!

I'd want to do him serious injury, honestly, and I am normally not violent!

:nuke: :nuke:

[fudge stripe cookays]

2. Holy crap!

Peggy's dropping the f bomb again!

:D

[SoxFan]

5. My dear CalPeggy

I'm working the matter through a board member, but I'm losing patience. This guy says all the right things, then reverts to form.

The problem I have is that I don't play all of the usual political games. It would be easy to simply go and threaten to cut off funding, but then it looks as though I'm trying to slide my wife into the director's job. Frankly, that's what 90% of Manch pols do, but I've always tried to steer clear of that crap. Unfortunately, these gus know that, and are using it against us.

I may have the current staff go to the press. The nonsense isn't limited to politics. There are some serious problems with how this guy treats the shelter guests. It's a family shelter, which means there are a lot of kids and single moms, and this guy has been verbally abusive and condescending towards them. That hacks me off even more than his political payback games.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. I can see the bind you're in...

I'd say your stand on how he's treating the shelter guests would be the way to handle this. I'd say he's completely inappropriate for this job.

There's no reason to put up with him for a moment longer.

Have your people go to the press...

And good for you, to not play the usual political games!

Taking the high road may take longer...but your ethics will pay off in the long run!

:patriot:

[Deep13]

3. "...best interest to insult aldermen and screw with their family members."

Yeah, that's stupid. See if you can get him canned.

[Burma Jones]

4. I think a series of investigations is in order

I mean, that's what any good politician does to his enemies......

[MrCoffee]

6. seriously consider contacting the NH Commission on Human Rights

they have jurisdiction over employment discrimination claims

http://www.nh.gov/hrc/

However, the general NH state law on discrimination does not include political affiliation as a protected category. That doesn't mean it's not protected, just that I couldn't find the specific state law doing a really quick and dirty search. The NHCHR should be able to point you in the right direction.

[SoxFan]

9. I might talk to them

NH is an at-will state, and as you point out, political activity isn't a protected classification.

Frankly, I'm hoping to resolve this without having to go through the HRC paperwork drill.

[MrCoffee]

11. it's not protected under the general employment discrim. statute

that does not mean it's not protected elsewhere in state law.

and you don't necessarily have to file a formal complaint yet. they can probably give you advice as to (at least) whether or not political affiliation is protected.

[Rambis]

8. Sick em

You...

"Did I mention there is a forensic accountant that will be visiting the charity later this month? Purely a routine measure but there have been some crazy allegations of mishandling of funds so we need to throw open the books and let the public see what is happening."

I would bet he finds other work quickly.

[SoxFan]

10. Actually...

You are hitting closer to the truth than you realize. Let's leave it at that.

[Rambis]

12. Yep

It just goes to show you, it's always something" Roseann Rosanna Danna

It happens in most non profits just to what degree is the only question.