I had recently lost my job due to state funding. Out of desperation I took a job at a gas station owned by Graham C-Stores. It was a Citgo station in Arlington Heights, Il. I spent two weeks of being humiliated by a twenty-something Hindu guy and a twenty-something mixed race manager, as I might ad I am fifty something, (not that it should matter much though). After several complaints of this Hindu guy Syed who was supposed to be training me, which he just kept "demanding" me to clean the bathrooms and mop the floor, nothing was done.
However, tonight Xmas eve I was scheduled to work from 4:30pm-9:30pm. Syed was rather pleasant, but then Cassie the manager came in around 5:30 and she told me to start sweeping the floor. I had asked if it was too earlier and she yelled at me in front of customers and Syed. I took her to the side and asked to to please not do that again. Then as Syed and Cassie sat behind the register laughing, Syed then began placing demands on me as if I were a piece of sh*. He literatly said, "What are you retarded or something, how many times do I have to tell you how to clean the toilet?" Cassie just started laughing.
At that point I got my coat and walked out the door. Syed followed me and asked if I punched out. I said nothing and left. He is not a manager or a supervisor, he is a cashier just like I was. I am not making any accusations by any means, but after I believe my second day Syed told me he was working Xmas because he does not celebrate it and I had told him I do not either because I am Jewish. Since that day forward it appeared that was when I started getting "harassed by him and the and the manager doing nothing about it.
I have my Masters degree in psychology and yes I am unemployed, and yes suitable employment in our economy is hard to find, however I was willing to do anything. For two weeks I swallowed my pride for minimum wage, was humiliated, lost my dignity and my self respect. I followed the chain of command with my complaints and things just got worse. Have I been discriminated? I do not know. Do I want to take these guys down? I sure do, and I will do whatever it takes. This is America, the company is owned by Americans, but allowing foreigners to dictate us.
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