quitting due to hostile work environment

by Tiffany

(NC)

I had a job as a teller at a bank and the work environment was hostile to say the least. The manager constantly criticized my work which I normally would not have a problem with, however it was constantly in front of other employees. She also was demeaning to me and placed many responsibilities on me as a new teller with no experience. I had moved to the area to attend graduate school, and had postponed my schooling so I was planning to move anyway but had planned to keep this job until I could find another job. However I could no longer take the abuse dealt to me from this witch of a woman. To top it off after I left she was demoted for not doing the duties of her job correctly. So I have filed an appeal for my claim after it was denied and was wondering if I had a case since I would be able to explain myself better, and what laws or terms if any could potentially help my case.

Hi Tiffany,

The section of the statute that applies is:

Where an individual leaves work, the burden of showing good cause attributable to the employer rests on said individual, and the burden shall not be shifted to the employer. Not a big help…I know.

It would be helpful if I knew what the final incident that actually pushed you to make the decision to quit was and if you ever spoke to the supervisor about the things she was doing that ultimately drove you to quit, or anyone else in authority.

The section of law I copied and pasted expressly says it’s all up to you to prove you had good cause for quitting. This usually carries with it a responsibility to “warn” the employer of what the employee thinks is a violation before you quit, unless it was so reprehensible any “reasonable person” would find no alternative, but to quit.

I’d love to help more, but without the details it’s kind of like being asked by someone if a piece of clothing makes them look fat…while they’re standing behind a screen.