Banana Republic
Unlawful Actions and Hurasment

I Merrick A. Jackson am very dissatisfied with the treatment and prejudice I received from Gap Inc. Banana Republic store number 8235. The management team is unprofessional and conducts themselves in an unlawful manner. The hostile work environment often caused me to feel ill, and on more than one occasion I overheard (General manager) Jennifer Devito Onotavion, talking negatively about me to other supervisors to create a damaging image of me.

It all started with an issue with one of my checks, when a manager neglected to process my PTO, paid time off into the system in time for payroll. I was short 22 hours, and I was told that it would be placed in the following check. However this the hours were not processed a second time, and I waited over five weeks for the mix-up to be resolved only to have all of the PTO put in as over time and then Taxed out of my check. This job put my lively hood in jeopardy on more than on occasion. I nearly lost my apartment because of this mistake, but this was neither the first or last time something like this was done.

I decided to take further action when another error was made with one of my checks. Crystal Rolon, Agnezka Gwarzephki, and I had worked at BR International for a week and the Managers were given the RCN ahead of time along with the hours worked yet still forgot to process the hours. When I went to the management team at 8235 I was told that there was nothing they could do get the money to us faster. I then called my District Manager and we all received our money later that day.

Also, the time clocks in the store were constantly set five to ten minutes fast management knew this yet began to write employees up for time and attendance. Once Jennifer knew of this phone call I was constantly harassed and micromanaged.By this time I was under duress. I later received two write warnings on the same day to make it seen that I was excessively late. After giving me the two written warning I was scheduled and hour ahead of my availability. My availability was 8am to 5pm and I was scheduled for 7am to 4pm, this was not something I had agreed to.

On July 2 there was an argument between Agnezka and myself witch unfortunately heard by everyone on the Men’s sales floor. “Agnes†was screaming at me, and when Crystal attempted too defuse the situation Agnes turned her verbal attack on her. I then began to elevate my voice; at this point both Agnes and myself decided it would be best to get a manager. I stated to then look for Jen, GM, or David, HR. I wanted to sit with David because I felt he would not be a bias party, but he had left for the day.

Ultimately Crystal, Agnes, and I had a meeting with Jen. Prior to this Jen had me escorted to the office by Carlos, LP agent, and told me not to speak to David and let the management team handle the situation. She even mentioned the call I made to the DM when there was an error with my check. The next day she met with David, and as I completed the last maniquinn for Men’s Roll Out on July 5 I was called into the office and told that I was being terminated for time and attendance.

Jennifer Devito Onotavion has done nothing in that store but make it so unbarrile to work there that employees leave by the handful. The stores sales dramatically dropped under her leadership, and 8235 went from a flagship to a core store. The only thing that went up is the turnover rate. People in every work center have left or are planning to leave. That store has lost many good people who are now being replaced by infirire workers. When will this futility end?

Company: Banana Republic
Country: USA

  <     >