Case for Discrimination

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by Skyedavina, Jun 18, 2019.

  1. Skyedavina

    Skyedavina Bobtail Member

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    Im a small very young looking female. I also have listed my anxiety disorders on my DOT card and told my mentors about them. I obtained a doctors note certifying that my conditions wont stop me from working and Swift accepted the document. I graduated from the best CDL school at Swift (Lewiston). I have had 200 hours with a mentor who told me that Im a great driver. I passed the written upgrade test but the male mentor who tested me recommended more hours. The issues were minor - i need to slow down sooner for curves and stops, though all my stops were smooth. I touched a curb on a sharp turn - touched, not went over.

    Things got really weird with my new mentor. She said they told her I had gotten into an altercation with a shipper staff. No such thing ever happened. My coordinator denied this and said she didnt know who my mentor spoke to about me or where the information came from. My former mentor ignored my call and message about it. This new mentor allowed me one hour behind the wheel before telling me that i am unfit to drive and a hazard, as well as a disgrace to the academy. On this drive there were no incidents. She said i overcorrect my steering and should brake differently than more former mentor trained me to. I should sit back farther in my seat. No big things. I told her about some of my difficulty sleeping but did not disclose my diagnoses. These reasons were enough, after one hour of driving, for her to send me home. After she told me I tried to talk about it and she began screaming at me while she was driving. I have video footage of her yelling and not talking to me reasonably. She listed all kinds of irrelevant reasons that she thinks im unstable - i get upset in crowds, when she’s never seen me in a crowd, its not in my diagnosis, and has never been a problem, and has nothing to do with driving a truck. She called me a “crazy loon”. On camera. She dropped me off 18 minutes from the bus station and unloaded my things without letting me check to see it was all off, and as such drove off with my drivers license, money, ID, debit cards, and passport. I called my coordinator and asked if she thought my request to check the truck for my belongings was reasonable, and she avoided answering. When I asked again, she said no, it’s not reasonable. I was about to call the police when she came back and handed me my purse without saying anything.

    All of this behavior says to me that they decided to gas me. I have a right to at least another mentor. What kind of legal recourse might I have?
     
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  3. DTP

    DTP Road Train Member

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    A Swift driver calling another a hazard and “unfit” is the ultimate pot calling the kettle black
     
  4. Skyedavina

    Skyedavina Bobtail Member

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    Regardless i want this job, and im looking, respectfully, for serious and helpful answers, thank you.
     
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  5. DTP

    DTP Road Train Member

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    You’re best off just finding another company. Discrimination or not, do you really want to work for a company that treated you this way?? Sounds like from the trainer to your superiors, they basically gave you the shaft. If this is how it starts, do you really want to stick around and see if it gets worse?
     
  6. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Ok here is some serious advice .... think about it ...

    The first thing is this isn't discrimination, that is an overused and misplaced word that many jump to when they are wronged.

    What this is ... is abuse.

    These companies have zero standards when it comes to mentors (aka trainers) and we need uniformed standards to properly train and hold accountable both drivers and mentors.

    Second is this, there are hundreds of companies out there, it is easy to find one that will fit your needs both medically and for the money.

    That said, many of us have serious medical issues, and we all found work somewhere. As much as this may be offensive, it is important not to use it to stop you.
     
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  7. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    I tell ya', people have such problems to just drive a truck today. As usual, there's the trainers side of the story too, and from what you describe, it sounds kind of legit. For example, just "not sitting back in the seat", tells me, you are still uncomfortable with the rig. We weren't there, and probably lots missing from the story, but something is amiss, sorry. And quit with the discrimination card, it won't get you anywhere and is simply not the case today.
     
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  8. Tombstone69

    Tombstone69 Road Train Member

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    2 good pieces of advice, holler out for Chinatown, tell him where you're located and what type of equipment you'd like to drive and he'll steer you in the right direction. Once again, I'm sure Swift has been there and done that to more than a few driver candidates, the only way I would even think of making an issue is if they make false claims to any prospective employers and even then I'd think twice about it(I'm sure they have all kinds of legal people on retainer, just because of their poor reputation in the industry). Good luck and don't give up, you'll find a home.
     
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  9. stillwurkin

    stillwurkin Road Train Member

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    I would go elsewhere. Lots of companies to choose from, as has been said. Now if trouble seems to follow you in this type of employment may be time to follow another path.?
     
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  10. 6wheeler

    6wheeler Road Train Member

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    I can tell from your question and language that you are very reasonable.

    It would be a little bit of a hassle but with your video and your statement you could have a good case for employee harrisment, discrimination, and welfare endangerment for leaving you.

    In your area search for attorneys for workers compensations. Some will even work on contingentcy. Wright down every detail you have on paper.

    It's quite possible you could be a very big part of a class action lawsuit because I have a feeling your not the only one.
     
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  11. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    @Chinatown can probably help you.

    My only advice would be to stick it out as best you can. Unless you paid for the class out of pocket. You could end up with a collections on your credit. And it's tough finding work without experience.

    If you can. Try to learn stick and not automatic. In my state anyways. There aren't many local jobs with automatics.

    When you're ready to look for work elsewhere.
     
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