Well, I came unglued.

[Mouse_Maven]

I got a well-deserved tongue lashing (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=428217) in this thread.

For seven years, I have worked in research as an animal care and use specialist. First, working strictly as a care provider, then moving into the labs to manage colonies and their use. I love my job, I get to work with animals, help my community and be apart of interesting topics and intellectual breakthroughs. In academics, like any field, there are less than desirable traits: politics, bureaucracy, funding troubles, personality and ego conflicts. In the past, I have been able to stay outside most of these pitfalls. If a job became more than I could cope with, I started to look for another one.

Last year, the head of the department I work for announced that he was leaving for another university. The DH basically abandoned us. Junior researchers, post-docs and grad students he had been mentoring were left to their own devices – the DH didn’t even write letters of recommendation for them. My boss is a junior researcher in this department. He’s a pediatric doctor and a researcher. As long as I worked for Dr. Boss, he has been very hands-off, leaving the research to his senior research assistant (my mentor/supervisor) and the DH.

Without the DH, my mentor and I knew that Dr. Boss would flounder – cruel but true. We started to look for work elsewhere. Mentor is from Australia and was able to find a good job back home. I’m much more limited geographically, and my job hunt was unsuccessful. Funding has been very tight throughout the U. Even when I told prospective PI’s that I would be happy with my current salary (which isn’t much), I was told that it was too expensive – grad students and undergrad student workers are cheaper. (Many labs were just going through the motions requited by the U, and not planning on replacing the techs that had left.) Then, I discovered that I was pregnant. Since job-hunting while expecting is ethically sticky, I decided to stay with Dr. Boss and see what happens.

I’ll spare you all the details. All hell broke lose and our worse case scenario happened: the U. pulled funds it had given this department and said that the department was dissolved.

I’ve been loudly miserable for months, but I’m also insecure. Part of me frets about paying bills and millions of what-if’s. What if Mouse_Spouse loses his job after I leave mine? With a baby and my lack of education, will I ever be able to work? After giving it a lot a thought, and talking it over with my husband, I decide to finally turn in my resignation last week.

Then, I got news that my boss would be in the lab – after a four month absence – and he wants to talk. First, I thought that I could stay and we would actually do some research. Then, reality hit: Dr. Boss agreed to come into the lab because another junior researcher called him at home and told him “Hey, you have a post-doc and pregnant research assistant that need to know what’s going on.” This morning, Dr. Boss did show up. Gasp! But he wasn’t going to stay as long as he originally said. “I’ve got a plane to catch. I’ll be here an hour, tops.” After scrambling to contact my post-doc co-worker and tell her to get here fucking NOW and then waiting while she and the junior researcher talked to Dr. Boss, I had my turn.

“You’re pregnant. You never completed the surgery training. I’m sorry, but you’re useless to me.” Dr. Boss said.

Before this meeting, my loved ones and the sensible people here on the Dope advised that I not burn any bridges. This wise counsel burned to ash in the heat of my anger.

“My surgery training wasn’t completed because of a lack of funds and the fact that my mentor – the Great Mouse Surgeon* - left the country. Legally, my pregnancy cannot be a factor as long as I am still able to physically do the work – which I am, by the way. Since you haven’t taken the time to be here, and act as a researcher, you have been just as useless to me.” I stormed out of his office, collected what remained of my things, and drove home.

I’ve never lost my cool like this before. Technically, next week is my last week at the lab. Maybe I’ll just stay home and burn up some sick time.


*No sarcasm. He is great and well known in this field.

[WhyNot]

Damn. I'm not usually a litigious person, but that ALMOST makes me wish you hadn't resigned, so you could sue his ass for wrongful termination. What an asshat to mention the pregnancy! Fuck him. You're well rid of him.

[Swallowed My Cellphone]

“My surgery training wasn’t completed because of a lack of funds and the fact that my mentor – the Great Mouse Surgeon* - left the country. Legally, my pregnancy cannot be a factor as long as I am still able to physically do the work – which I am, by the way. Since you haven’t taken the time to be here, and act as a researcher, you have been just as useless to me.” I stormed out of his office, collected what remained of my things, and drove home.:: applause ::

Normally, I would always recommend taking the high road of good diplomacy, but he's an idjit who needed a tongue lashing.

And seriously, why would he be such an ass if he new you were leaving? Jackass!

Stay home and use your "sick time" to wash your hands of that mess.

[Drunky Smurf]

I would go into work. It seems most likely that he will not be there since he hasn't been for four months and how inconvienent it was for him to show up for 1 hour. I would go in and not burn the sick time since you could use that money to help pay bills while you are looking for a new job. Even if he is there just ignore him and pretty much just keep to yourself and if he has the balls to ask you to do something just tell him you're too busy. What's he going to do fire you?

[Caricci]

So, what prompted him to make that comment?

[Count Blucher]

Jobs come and go, Mouse_Maven. But years from now, you'll still be the one who stood up to "the Great Mouse Surgeon", and while pregnant at that.

No one can ever take that away from you. Well Done.

[Khampelf]

I'd use the sick time, and inform the University HR dept. that Mr. Boss man told me I was "useless" because I was "pregnant".

But I've never been afraid to stir shit up.

[Caricci]

What a bummer it is to have a show down with the boss only to discover you are quite inconsequential to him. BTDT back in the day. Also the opposite. That was NOT a bummer.

[Least Original User Name Ever]

I'd use Gorilla Glue.


Oh...wait..it's one of those ungluings...

Hm. Use twine?

[Swallowed My Cellphone]

Damn. I'm not usually a litigious person, but that ALMOST makes me wish you hadn't resigned, so you could sue his ass for wrongful termination. What an asshat to mention the pregnancy! Fuck him. You're well rid of him.She could still file a complaint with HR over his behavior. A friend of my sisters tendered her resignation giving something like two months notice (it was a position that would be difficult to fill, so she was tryng to give the company a lot of time.)

During that month, evidence popped up that her boss was sending inappropriate emails to a colleague about her and another co-worker, both of whom were gay. She complained to her boss's boss, an lo, was "fired" even though her final day was only two weeks away. (Which actually worked out well because she got a severance check and was able to have two weeks paid holiday before starting her new job).

But anyway, she was still able to get the company in shit for a human rights violation. In particular because it looked really bad that the day after she made a formal complaint she was escorted from the building. With her last day coming up so soon, it was pretty damning for her boss.

He was fired the following year because he was apparently still sending offenisve emails t his colleague about the remaining lesbian in the workplace.

[hotflungwok]

You've endured all of this, you are pregnant, and all you said to him was that he was useless? I was expecting to hear that you stuffed him in an autoclave or used him to culture a virulent new strain of athlete's head. I don't really think this counts as too unglued. Go in again, take a bunch of stuff from the lab home in the trunk of your car, you'll feel better.

[Fir na tine]

I would go in and not burn the sick time since you could use that money to help pay bills while you are looking for a new job.

Mouse_Maven, if you can collect for unused sick time when you terminate, you might want to go in. If the sick time is lost when you leave, be sick for the next week, you delicate pregnant creature.

[Mouse_Maven]

So, what prompted him to make that comment?

My best guess: My mentor did all of Dr. Boss' experiments, from begining to end, and designed a good many of them. Mentor had 20 years of experience as a research assistant and was perfectly happy letting boss take the credit so he could write grants. I don't have nearly as much experience as my mentor did, so I can't design experiments and work without guidence. (Well, I could, but I would rather get some input so I know I'm going in the right direction.)

IMHO, Dr. Boss wants someone to do "his" research while he does other things. I can't do that, so I'm of no use to him.

The pregnancy comment, sadly not unusual in this field. A post-doc I know was once asked if she was planning on becoming pregnant by a PI. The Old Boy's Club is still around in a way.

Dr. Boss is an asshole. When I left my first husband, I decided that it was better to risk being alone rather than know I'd be miserable. Same thing here: the risk is better than the certainty.

[gigi]

Mouse_Maven, if you can collect for unused sick time when you terminate, you might want to go in. If the sick time is lost when you leave, be sick for the next week, you delicate pregnant creature.
Ditto. Since sick time isn't usually paid out, enjoy the jumpstart on your time off. :)

[Sunspace]

I'm so sorry, M_M, that's worse than I even imagined, and I thought I was being paranoid and cynical.

The killer ape in me is saying, "Nail Dr. Boss's ass to the wall." But then I remember the Mouseling, and I think that it's best to put family first. For now. Once that is rolling along, [i[then[/i] you can seek justice.

[Kalhoun]

Do you have a degree in this field? In another related field?

[Caricci]

My best guess: My mentor did all of Dr. Boss' experiments, from begining to end, and designed a good many of them. Mentor had 20 years of experience as a research assistant and was perfectly happy letting boss take the credit so he could write grants. I don't have nearly as much experience as my mentor did, so I can't design experiments and work without guidence. (Well, I could, but I would rather get some input so I know I'm going in the right direction.).



No, no, no. I mean, right then, in the conversation. Like I might say to my boss, "Hey, Roberta, what's shakin'?"

And she might say "Bacon!"

(This is doubtful, btw.)

So, your boss said, "You’re pregnant. You never completed the surgery training. I’m sorry, but you’re useless to me.” in response to what?

Details, woman, details!

[picunurse]

My best guess: My mentor did all of Dr. Boss' experiments, from begining to end, and designed a good many of them. Mentor had 20 years of experience as a research assistant and was perfectly happy letting boss take the credit so he could write grants. I don't have nearly as much experience as my mentor did, so I can't design experiments and work without guidence. (Well, I could, but I would rather get some input so I know I'm going in the right direction.)

IMHO, Dr. Boss wants someone to do "his" research while he does other things. I can't do that, so I'm of no use to him.

The pregnancy comment, sadly not unusual in this field. A post-doc I know was once asked if she was planning on becoming pregnant by a PI. The Old Boy's Club is still around in a way.

Dr. Boss is an asshole. When I left my first husband, I decided that it was better to risk being alone rather than know I'd be miserable. Same thing here: the risk is better than the certainty.Report him to the ethics committee. I know that this sort of remote research happens, but that doesn't make it ethical. Expose him for the fraud he is.
And take the sick time, you don't owe them a minute.

[Anaamika]

Report his ass Mousie. Come on. You say it's an old boys club and it's going to stay that way until more of us stand up for our rights. You're pregnant so you're useless? I don't even intend to have kids and I'm fucking pissed.

[Caricci]

Report his ass Mousie. Come on. You say it's an old boys club and it's going to stay that way until more of us stand up for our rights. You're pregnant so you're useless? I don't even intend to have kids and I'm fucking pissed.

Seconded.

[Mindfield]

Dayum. I've read of all the troubles you've been having over the past year, but until now Dr. Boss has mostly just been this absent, negligent dude who doesn't really give a damn if the lab implodes. But apparently he's an absent, negligent dude who doesn't really give a damn if the lab implodes and he's a chauvinist asshole. Sadly, if this Old Boys Club exists beyond him your complaints might just end up being filed under "contentious, whiny ex-employee." (Also known as the "round file.")

It's a shame it all blew up like this, but good on you standing up to the asshat like that. I don't like burning bridges either, but there are just some times when it just has to be done, and some people who really need to be standing on it when you do.

Goodbye and good riddance to him, I say. Whatever comes of it, you're better off without him and that whole lousy situation.

[IvoryTowerDenizen]

God, he sounds like my Post doc advisor. What a tool she was (and it was because I got pregnant on my timeline, not hers).

Good for you getting out, with your dignity intact. Precious few can claim that.

Look for work, even while pregnant- you might be surprised that some folks are more accomodating than you might think.

[Anne Neville]

Seconded.

Thirded. Don't let him get away with this crap. We'd live in a very different (and, IMO, much better) world if chauvinists got called on it every time they say or do something like this.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

I don't think you have to worry about burning bridges, either- "You're useless to me" sounds like Dr. Boss already burned that bridge for you.

[burundi]

Nail that bastard to the wall, Mouse.

[ratatoskK]

Fourthed. File whatever complaints may be available (HR, ethics, EEOC, etc...) and make sure you don't get screwed out of any of your sick time, vacation, etc. The phrase "hostile work environment" really applies to this one.

[DudleyGarrett]

Just what the country needs: more litigation.

Mouse, walk away. Document your professional experiences into a cogent paragraph on your CV and move on.

You're not going to beat the good ole boy network by suing one moron. In fact, you won't beat it if you sue a 1000 of them.

[Flea]

Just what the country needs: more litigation.

Mouse, walk away. Document your professional experiences into a cogent paragraph on your CV and move on.

You're not going to beat the good ole boy network by suing one moron. In fact, you won't beat it if you sue a 1000 of them.Well, she definitely won't do it by not even trying to hold him of some measure of accountability, that's for sure.

This isn't like suing because her McDonald's coffee is too hot. This is the whole reason EEOC exists.

[Sunspace]

Just... take care of the Mouseling too. But this may be the best way. I keep thinking of a friend, who has all the right in the world to take her building inspector and designer (whose incompetence threatens her half-completed house) to a hearing before the Ministry of Housing, but the stress of that hearing would put her over the edge. Justice is good, but you have to be strong enough to withstand the process as well.

[Caricci]

Just what the country needs: more litigation.

Mouse, walk away. Document your professional experiences into a cogent paragraph on your CV and move on.

You're not going to beat the good ole boy network by suing one moron. In fact, you won't beat it if you sue a 1000 of them.

Now, I admit I've followed this saga in a train wreck sort of way, and I have little sympathy for the situation, but I think this attitude is, well, realistic if you're talking about one little person. Okay, fine, but what if everyone stood up for their rights against the old boy network? Well, one day it would be a thing of the past!

[DudleyGarrett]

Well, she definitely won't do it by not even trying to hold him of some measure of accountability, that's for sure.

This isn't like suing because her McDonald's coffee is too hot. This is the whole reason EEOC exists.

Meh. He made a chauvinistic comment. Big deal. He's a turd. So what, she was quitting anyway.

She didn't get fired because the guy didn't like women. Hell, she wasn't even passed over for a promotion. He made a comment about her being pregnant. That's it. End of story.

[Evil Captor]

Damn. I'm not usually a litigious person, but that ALMOST makes me wish you hadn't resigned, so you could sue his ass for wrongful termination. What an asshat to mention the pregnancy! Fuck him. You're well rid of him.

he probably did it to provoke her into quitting, saving himself some money and avoiding some legal jeopardy. He's got a huge karmic debt to pay, but asshats don't care about karmic debt.

[gigi]

Meh. He made a chauvinistic comment. Big deal. He's a turd. So what, she was quitting anyway.

She didn't get fired because the guy didn't like women. Hell, she wasn't even passed over for a promotion. He made a comment about her being pregnant. That's it. End of story.
But perhaps a complaint now would make him think twice next time?

[Anaamika]

She may not beat the whole old boy network. But as Caricci and Flea both say, it's NEVER going to be beat if everyone takes this attitude.

Litigation is a useful and necessary thing and it's the only way for some of us to bring a situation to light. Yes, there are stupid lawsuits; this is not one of them.

FTR, the McDonald's one wasn't stupid either. They were proven to have their coffee at ridiculously high temperatures.

Link (http://lawandhelp.com/q298-2.htm)

McFact No. 1: For years, McDonald's had known they had a problem with the way they make their coffee - that their coffee was served much hotter (at least 20 degrees more so) than at other restaurants.

McFact No. 2: McDonald's knew its coffee sometimes caused serious injuries - more than 700 incidents of scalding coffee burns in the past decade have been settled by the Corporation - and yet they never so much as consulted a burn expert regarding the issue.

McFact No. 3: The woman involved in this infamous case suffered very serious injuries - third degree burns on her groin, thighs and buttocks that required skin grafts and a seven-day hospital stay.

McFact No. 4: The woman, an 81-year old former department store clerk who had never before filed suit against anyone, said she wouldn't have brought the lawsuit against McDonald's had the Corporation not dismissed her request for compensation for medical bills.

McFact No. 5: A McDonald's quality assurance manager testified in the case that the Corporation was aware of the risk of serving dangerously hot coffee and had no plans to either turn down the heat or to post warning about the possibility of severe burns, even though most customers wouldn't think it was possible.

McFact No. 6: After careful deliberation, the jury found McDonald's was liable because the facts were overwhelmingly against the company. When it came to the punitive damages, the jury found that McDonald's had engaged in willful, reckless, malicious, or wanton conduct, and rendered a punitive damage award of 2.7 million dollars. (The equivalent of just two days of coffee sales, McDonalds Corporation generates revenues in excess of 1.3 million dollars daily from the sale of its coffee, selling 1 billion cups each year.)

[DudleyGarrett]

Now, I admit I've followed this saga in a train wreck sort of way, and I have little sympathy for the situation, but I think this attitude is, well, realistic if you're talking about one little person. Okay, fine, but what if everyone stood up for their rights against the old boy network? Well, one day it would be a thing of the past!

Optimistically, sure. But realistically? I don't see it. Too many people are overly concerned with their agendas; if aligning with others of the same ilk protects that personal agenda, then the network remains connected.

[DudleyGarrett]

But perhaps a complaint now would make him think twice next time?

A complaint, sure, no problem. Let HR investigate and deal with it.

Someone mentioned suing is what prompted my initial post.

[Scuba_Ben]

Meh. He made a chauvinistic comment. Big deal. He's a turd. So what, she was quitting anyway.

She didn't get fired because the guy didn't like women. Hell, she wasn't even passed over for a promotion. He made a comment about her being pregnant. That's it. End of story.Dr. Boss made a potentially illegal statement about Mouse Maven's fitness for work, in a subject area directly addressed by the EEOC. I support filing a complaint with the EEOC and the state's equivalent; their contact information is on the labor law poster that is supposed to be prominently displayed, usually in the break or mail room. And there's bonus points here because Dr. Boss made the statement in front of witnesses, if I read the OP correctly.

[Caricci]

Optimistically, sure. But realistically? I don't see it. Too many people are overly concerned with their agendas; if aligning with others of the same ilk protects that personal agenda, then the network remains connected.

The attitude that one person isn't going to change things is what's realistic.

[DudleyGarrett]

She may not beat the whole old boy network. But as Caricci and Flea both say, it's NEVER going to be beat if everyone takes this attitude.

Litigation is a useful and necessary thing and it's the only way for some of us to bring a situation to light. Yes, there are stupid lawsuits; this is not one of them.

FTR, the McDonald's one wasn't stupid either. They were proven to have their coffee at ridiculously high temperatures.

Link (http://lawandhelp.com/q298-2.htm)

Actually, see my previous post. IANAL, but I'm pretty certain there needs to be more than a disparaging remark about one's pregnancy for a suit to be filed. Especially when an action didn't follow -- termination, demotion, decrease in wage, etc. All he did was make a lame comment.

Lawyers, chime in if I'm wrong.

[DudleyGarrett]

Dr. Boss made a potentially illegal statement about Mouse Maven's fitness for work, in a subject area directly addressed by the EEOC. I support filing a complaint with the EEOC and the state's equivalent; their contact information is on the labor law poster that is supposed to be prominently displayed, usually in the break or mail room. And there's bonus points here because Dr. Boss made the statement in front of witnesses, if I read the OP correctly.

An illegal statement? Huh? Is there such a thing? Cite?

He didn't say, "Because you're pregnant, I'm curtailing your duties and decreasing your pay."

[Kalhoun]

Actually, see my previous post. IANAL, but I'm pretty certain there needs to be more than a disparaging remark about one's pregnancy for a suit to be filed. Especially when an action didn't follow -- termination, demotion, decrease in wage, etc. All he did was make a lame comment.

Lawyers, chime in if I'm wrong.
Not a lawyer, but I agree. Since she already sent the letter of resignation, and there are no real damages, all he is is an asshole.

[Caricci]

Actually, see my previous post. IANAL, but I'm pretty certain there needs to be more than a disparaging remark about one's pregnancy for a suit to be filed. Especially when an action didn't follow -- termination, demotion, decrease in wage, etc. All he did was make a lame comment.

Lawyers, chime in if I'm wrong.

Okay, personally I don't think she should sue. But I do think she should complain, in writing. This could be the start of some important documentation OR a one time only thing.

I really would love to know what specifically lead up to it though.

[DudleyGarrett]

Okay, personally I don't think she should sue. But I do think she should complain, in writing. This could be the start of some important documentation OR a one time only thing.

Maybe, sure. A letter complaining to HR doesn't hurt anyone. It will at least raise a few eyebrows and draw some attention to this guy's professional practices.

I really would love to know what specifically lead up to it though.

Me too. Seems like an odd thing to just say.

[Scuba_Ben]

An illegal statement? Huh? Is there such a thing? Cite?

He didn't say, "Because you're pregnant, I'm curtailing your duties and decreasing your pay."
Okay, emphasize my use of "potentially." IANA labor law expert, I suggest referring the matter to someone who is.

[Flea]

He made a comment that, because she was pregnant and because he did not provide the training which he was obligated to do, she was "useless" to him. Insert any other word where bolded (try "gay" or "black"), and you'll see where the grounds are.

[Caricci]

He made a comment that, because she was pregnant and because he did not provide the training which he was obligated to do, she was "useless" to him. Insert any other word where bolded (try "gay" or "black"), and you'll see where the grounds are.

He didn't say the part about not providing training, but that she didn't have the training.

[Flea]

He didn't say the part about not providing training, but that she didn't have the training.Noted. She was the one who specified she didn't have it because he didn't provide it, as I'm sure he was obligated to do either by her contract or the grant that funded it.

[Caricci]

Noted. She was the one who specified she didn't have it because he didn't provide it, as I'm sure he was obligated to do either by her contract or the grant that funded it.

Possibly.

[Anaamika]

You know what, you're right. I don't know enough about lawsuits. I do recommend Mousie file a complaint with HR and keep a record of it. Perhaps Dudley is right that a lawsuit is not the answer, since no actual "damage" was done.

Apologies.

[Mouse_Maven]

So, your boss said, "You’re pregnant. You never completed the surgery training. I’m sorry, but you’re useless to me.” in response to what?

Details, woman, details!

Since Dr. Boss was here for such a short time, the Junior Researcher and the post-doc decided to mention me to him. They didn't know if I would have a chance to talk to Dr. Boss. Junior told Boss what I had mentioned to him: I'm unsure of what to do with our unfinished projects - that require surgery. I haven't heard anything and the lack of communication was one of the reasons I decided to resign.

Junior and Post-Doc think that Dr. Boss was just being blunt. I'm happy to leave after this fiasco.

After cooling off, I emailed Junior and Post-Doc. They both agreed to write letters of recommendation for me. I also emailed one of the animal facility veterinarians I know and asked if we could met sometime. I'll ask him about opportunities for animal management in industry and other career options.

Also, I've been reading the HR sites. I may not be paid for unused sick time, so I'm going to see if I can take it off and adjust my resignation date. (Dr. Boss' signature is needed, so I may be an employee for a loooong time if they wait on him.)

Once I have the recommendation letters and some information on other job options, I'll file a couple of complaints. One on Dr. Boss' comment, another on a Spineless Bastard who made a crack about my weight in the elevator a few weeks ago.

I'll also contact the U.'s Animal Care and Use Committee and let them know when I'm leaving. Since I'm the only person qualified to do animal work for Dr. Boss, his animal protocols will be suspended until he replaces me or goes through the training himself. (Maybe Boss will learn that messing with someone who understands the bureaucracy better than he does is a bad idea.)

[Mouse_Maven]

Noted. She was the one who specified she didn't have it because he didn't provide it, as I'm sure he was obligated to do either by her contract or the grant that funded it.

Clarification: My contract states that training would be done on the job at the lab's expense. Funds ran low and the surgery expert left the country.

[Caricci]

Clarification: My contract states that training would be done on the job at the lab's expense. Funds ran low and the surgery expert left the country.

Now that would have been a leg to stand on, since they were contractually obliged.

[carnivorousplant]

Uh, does this mean the mouse controlled Dalek thing is a no go?

[Mouse_Maven]

Uh, does this mean the mouse controlled Dalek thing is a no go?

I can neither confirm nor deny any biomechanical projects. ;)

[DudleyGarrett]

Now that would have been a leg to stand on, since they were contractually obliged.

True. But in this case it would be for reimbursment of monies that Mouse personally paid for said training.

In other words, Mouse would have to pay for and take the training, THEN file a civil suit against whomever provided the contract. Before doing that however, I'd scrutinize the contract for "outs" -- low funding, etc. I'd be surprised if such language didn't exist in the contract.

Again, not a lawyer.

[Caricci]

True. But in this case it would be for reimbursment of monies that Mouse personally paid for said training.

In other words, Mouse would have to pay for and take the training, THEN file a civil suit against whomever provided the contract. Before doing that however, I'd scrutinize the contract for "outs" -- low funding, etc. I'd be surprised if such language didn't exist in the contract.

Again, not a lawyer.

Or, if they had fired her for not having training they were supposed to provide. But she was not fired. Nevertheless for him to mention that like it's an issue would be far more infuriating to me than the pregnancy thing.

[Harmonious Discord]

You know that you need to put the background story into the sig line by now don't you? It will save typing in the long run. :D

[Rick]

Also, I've been reading the HR sites. I may not be paid for unused sick time, so I'm going to see if I can take it off and adjust my resignation date. (Dr. Boss' signature is needed, so I may be an employee for a loooong time if they wait on him.) :D

Once I have the recommendation letters and some information on other job options, I'll file a couple of complaints. One on Dr. Boss' comment, another on a Spineless Bastard who made a crack about my weight in the elevator a few weeks ago. You go girl!

I'll also contact the U.'s Animal Care and Use Committee and let them know when I'm leaving. Since I'm the only person qualified to do animal work for Dr. Boss, his animal protocols will be suspended until he replaces me or goes through the training himself. (Maybe Boss will learn that messing with someone who understands the bureaucracy better than he does is a bad idea.)
You are my hero. ::: golf clap:::

[Sunrazor]

Wow, I just put some things together that I should have recognized a long time ago. Your "Location" says "East of Granola, Colo." Which means your employer has been the University of Golden Buffaloes Medical School, right? You do realize, don't you, that the Denver media LOVE the taste of buffalo blood? I still have friends ...

I'm just sayin'.

I could be wrong, of course. Granola, Colo., could mean something completely different.

[Mouse_Maven]

Wow, I just put some things together that I should have recognized a long time ago. Your "Location" says "East of Granola, Colo." Which means your employer has been the University of Golden Buffaloes Medical School, right? You do realize, don't you, that the Denver media LOVE the taste of buffalo blood? I still have friends ...

I'm just sayin'.

I could be wrong, of course. Granola, Colo., could mean something completely different.

Yep, "Granola" is Boulder. (Full of fruits, flakes and nuts. That's the joke around here.)

I have thought about going to the media, but my co-workers have nixed the idea. Anyway, scrapping anti-social scientists aren't as photogenic or as interesting as football team sex shenanigans or Ward Churchill.

[Sunrazor]

Yep, "Granola" is Boulder. (Full of fruits, flakes and nuts. That's the joke around here.)

I have thought about going to the media, but my co-workers have nixed the idea. Anyway, scrapping anti-social scientists aren't as photogenic or as interesting as football team sex shenanigans or Ward Churchill.You may be right -- and you know Dr. Boss will spin it, and the U will help him. Still, it would be fun to make life complicated for him -- does Paul Woodward still want to know?

On the other hand, look at it this way:

You're gonna' have a babyYour husband loves you dearlyYou live in ColoradoLife is good.

[Sunrazor]

(Hee hee hee hee! You guys have Ward Churchill! We only have the knee-stabber! Hee hee hee!)

[Mouse_Maven]

You may be right -- and you know Dr. Boss will spin it, and the U will help him. Still, it would be fun to make life complicated for him

I will make life complicated for him, in my own way. Dr. Boss hates paperwork. Doing research using animals involves a lot of forms: submitting a protocol describing your experiment in detail (how many animals used, what techniques are done, etc.) for approval. Make any changes the approval comittee asks for, or submit an explaination of why things must be done your way. Once the protocol is approved, you have to make sure that anyone using the animals has been appropriately trained, had their vaccinations, and have them added onto the protocol. (I've done this a lot. Can you tell?)

I have notified the Animal Care and Use Comittee that I'm resigning. I am the only person qualified to handle animals on Dr. Boss' protocols. Dr. Boss can't touch the mice, or enter the animal facility, until he changes the protocols. To do this, he will have to hire someone to replace me and make sure they're trained, or get the training himself. If Dr. Boss decides to continue research, he will have to fill out reams of forms in order to get the animal models going again.

ETA: Nasty part of me - I know some members of the comittee and I've told them that I'm not happy with Dr. Boss. I'm sure they won't let that cloud their decisions.

[Mouse_Maven]

(Hee hee hee hee! You guys have Ward Churchill! We only have the knee-stabber! Hee hee hee!)

Knee-stabber? Do tell! :)

[quilter]

I have thought about going to the media, but my co-workers have nixed the idea.
Full disclosure here: I'm not quite old enough to remember when women got the vote (or when dirt was invented), but I'm sufficiently old to have marched for the Equal Rights Amendment (and remember when dinosaurs were invented).

So, at the risk of sounding jaded:
- You can't fight every battle. You can't spend every moment of your life on a soapbox.
- Make Dr. Boss's life miserable, file reports with HR, stand up for whatever benefits and monies you feel you deserve -- as you feel comfortable and appropriate.
- Get those recommendation letters as soon as you possibly can (before Sweetie_Mousie is born, before you needneedneed to land a new position).
- Enjoy having the privilege of holding the high moral ground, even though Dr. exBoss may well be beyond redemption.
- Know that a bunch of Dopers are rooting for you!

[kittenblue]

I hate to be on the side of such a jerk, but one tiny little thing keeps bugging me about this: isn't it possible to interpret his remark about "you're pregnant..." to mean that "you're going to be out of the lab on maternity leave for a while...." and since you've already said nothing can happen when you aren't there, maybe he meant it that way. He doesn't mind you quitting because between the upcoming leave and your lack of the surgery training, everything would shut down anyway unless he hired someone else who has both qualifications.

But he's still a big, fat arrogant jerk who deserves to be reported to the powers-that-be for taking credit for someone else's work and wasting the money by not tending to his experiments.

[Sunrazor]

Knee-stabber? Do tell! :)Oh, sorry, I didn't explain: I'm a grad student at UNC. You may remember this little incident (http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_4519130) last fall. Cozad is going to trial on attempted murder charges in September. President Kay "Mama Bear" Norton gathered all the little Bears together in the gym and scolded them sternly. Such is life in Greality.