I was an employee of First Solar from Aug. / 2006 until Jan / 2008.
I would have been receiving Stock next month Feb / 2008.
I think it's interesteing that I was terminated just before receiving my stocks.
Here is the story. I moved from the production line to a Shipping job which includes driving a forklift. To make this a shorter version, I had two forklift mishaps called incidents. Some material on a faulty box that fell off the load was incident 2 and at that time Human Relaions and I agreed that I should go back to the production line. On approx Dec. 16th I was told to report to the production line for a new job. We are off on Mon. And Tues. Each alternate week. I agreed and was glad to go there so I would not have anymore incidents in shipping. Then on Tuesday Dec. 18th I received a call from HR to stay in shipping for now and I would be moved shortly. Shortly turned into 18 more days or 2 and 1/2 more weeks. The shipping job requires forklift driving and on Jan 3rd I was ask by my team leader to come with a forklift and move some material. He had me come into a EVA room. He opened the overhead door but did not take it up all the way. I thought he had it all the way up and I hit the door and put a dent in it. This was incident 3. On Monday Jan 7th I was terminted from the company. Here is where the problem lies. Another man who just happens to be African American also had his third incident about 3 months before. He still has his job at First Solar.
I was told By a Supervisor named Jarrod that This would not cause me to lose my job. Even he as a Leader did not seem to fully understand Company policy.
1st) If I had been moved as stated by HR. I would still have my job.
2nd) why is the Other Man who has three forklift incidents Still employed there? It seems they have singled me out unfairly.By the way I did not miss work, I worked overtime when asked. I was part of the safety commitee and first aide responders. My fellow employees like me and I got along well with Supervision. Many employees have contacted me and are also upset at what they see happening. 3rd) Why was I terminated just before receiving my stocks which would have amounted to approx $17000.00 depending on Stock market prices which have been very high for First Solar Stocks. I only mentioned that the other man was African American because I am wondering if They held back termination in fear of a Discrimination lawsuit Or an NAACP retaliation. So There is an un-fair act of Policy procedures at First Solar.
I am just a working man with a House I recently bought and car I recently bought, I believe Whole Heartedly that I was treated un fairly and even Supervision Does Not know policy or carry them out Fairly. I honestly thought that the worst that would happen if I had a third incident was that I would lose my Company Forklift License and be put back in Production. Had I known I would be terminated from the Company I would have never got back on the Forklift and Took a chance on Losing my way to make a living. Especially after just buying a house and car. I calmly went back to First Solar and ask for a meeting with their Appeals Board. That seems to be of no benefit at all. There is no Union and I will never Know what The votes from my peers where. I think My Father is Correct when he says If a Company does not have a Union Your at a high risk of losing your job even if your overweight or dont part your hair right. I hope all reading this would just take a minute and write or call this company and let them know if you feel I was treated un - fairly. I am trying to move on and find other employment but, They have caused me great stress and financial hardship. Not to mention approx $17000.00 loss of stocks that would have helped my family. I hope there is somewhere else I can go to get help. I am trying to find out how to appeal to the Ohio Fair Employment Practice Agency. Thank you for viewing. Be careful when working for what is called an "AT Will" company. You too could lose your source of income for any reason or even no reason. The sad thing is at First Solar, even the supervision dosen't know policy. They do as they please there. I have a friend at First Solar that could not pass a test for a position but was a Janitor. A High ranking White Collar employee said to give him a production job anyway. The First Solar official dis-regarded Policy and made sure he got the job anyway. I can prove this from the employee himself. He is a friend of mine and a good worker. I leave him nameless due to our friendship.
I am very dis-heartened by How I was treated. I hope that all reading this will contact First Solar and at least let them know Your opinion of this
thank you again for your time
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