Wow people are mean. OP didn't hire the niece. Why does anyone think that she should have? The reality is you can't beat the system and HR is useless unless someone is doing something so outrageous they can't ignore it. The bottom line OP is you will need to find a new job. Lay low until then while you are pregnant. You don't need the stress.

Anonymous wrote:I'll be pissed if someone did this to me. And I will come after you too!

I think the OP handled the situation poorly. S/he should have documented the niece's poor performance and had a 1:1 with the uncle to go over it.

That's all water under the bridge at this point. However, it might still be possible to have that discussion to "clear the air." If the uncle still doesn't care how poorly his niece performed, then you get HR involved - since the uncle's behavior is retaliatory.

I'll be pissed if someone did this to me. And I will come after you too!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here -8:24 thanks, but no thanks.

it was a writing based job. Niece couldn't write professionally. Her grammar was poor and could not complete assignments in a reasonable timeframe. Other candidates had stronger resumes, educational and experience profiles. I even helped Niece require her resume and helped her get interviews. She was thankful and gracious.

It's a difficult situation but I'm dealing with it.

Why didn't you hire your former mentor's niece? You wrote that you "tested" her while she was a temp. That doesn't like you really returning the favor your former mentor gave you, and mentoring her. It was an entry level position. It is not like she would be responsible for life and death decisions. Live and learn.

What you are describing borders quid pro quo and is yet another HR violation.

I don't believe the OP. It sounds like she was purposely sabotaging her former mentor's niece.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here -8:24 thanks, but no thanks.

it was a writing based job. Niece couldn't write professionally. Her grammar was poor and could not complete assignments in a reasonable timeframe. Other candidates had stronger resumes, educational and experience profiles. I even helped Niece require her resume and helped her get interviews. She was thankful and gracious.

It's a difficult situation but I'm dealing with it.

Why didn't you hire your former mentor's niece? You wrote that you "tested" her while she was a temp. That doesn't like you really returning the favor your former mentor gave you, and mentoring her. It was an entry level position. It is not like she would be responsible for life and death decisions. Live and learn.

What you are describing borders quid pro quo and is yet another HR violation.

This is a classic case of Hostile Work Environment. Go to HR. Log a complaint. It it doesn't improve, go to HR again, if it still doesn't work go to an attorney and collect your bonus.

Anonymous wrote:OP here -8:24 thanks, but no thanks.

it was a writing based job. Niece couldn't write professionally. Her grammar was poor and could not complete assignments in a reasonable timeframe. Other candidates had stronger resumes, educational and experience profiles. I even helped Niece require her resume and helped her get interviews. She was thankful and gracious.

It's a difficult situation but I'm dealing with it.

Why didn't you hire your former mentor's niece? You wrote that you "tested" her while she was a temp. That doesn't like you really returning the favor your former mentor gave you, and mentoring her. It was an entry level position. It is not like she would be responsible for life and death decisions. Live and learn.

OP here -8:24 thanks, but no thanks.

it was a writing based job. Niece couldn't write professionally. Her grammar was poor and could not complete assignments in a reasonable timeframe. Other candidates had stronger resumes, educational and experience profiles. I even helped Niece require her resume and helped her get interviews. She was thankful and gracious.

It's a difficult situation but I'm dealing with it.

OP, are you sure you didn't purposely not hire the niece, because you feel threatened? Maybe you were concerned if you hired her, since her uncle was a mentor to you, that eventually she would replace you.

How was this man at one time a mentor and an advocate for you, and then suddenly he is a POS? Why didn't you go to him and offer to mentor his niece so she could address the areas of concern?

You sound like an insecure snake in the grass, yourself. You're toast. Once you come back from maternity leave, your former mentor's niece will probably be working there, hired by someone else. You may end up reporting to her one day soon.

A few years ago, I hired my nephew for a summer job. Kid is smart, and was willing to work cheap. The lesson I learned is never hire someone you can't fire.

Your bosses niece falls into that category.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I'm also pregnant. So that makes it all the more fun..

That's in your favor - most companies are scared shitless of firing a pregnant woman. I'd talk with HR.

Yep. That your manager is going after you over these things tells me he's crazy. Try HR. If they don't help, go to your city/state Office of Human Rights.

I would go to HR and let them know about the situation.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I'm also pregnant. So that makes it all the more fun..

That's in your favor - most companies are scared shitless of firing a pregnant woman. I'd talk with HR.

Rooting for you, OP. Please keep us updated.

I like the idea of bringing someone with you when you go talk to him. Sounds like your boss, the natural choice, will not be receptive to that though?

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I'm also pregnant. So that makes it all the more fun..

Keep documenting and continue to look for a new position.