So be it...

Update on job/contract situation: As of today, I am officially unemployed.

I went to our shelter's thrift store, as the executive director's office is located inside. I took my folder of research that I had compiled on the validity (or lack thereof) of the contract forced upon me in attempt to make me become an independent contractor. I told the director I would like to speak with her about the contract. I was friendly and polite, and told her there were some discrepancies and issues that I wanted to try to work out. I told her that I had done research and had spoken to representatives from the labor board and the IRS in attempts to get a better grasp on the contract language. I told her I was there to see if we could discuss the contract and work out a solution for us both, since I actually do love my job. 


She jumped out of her chair, began raving about how she was tired of people pissing her off, spouting our state's "fire at will" clause, etc etc. I politely told her I was not there to "piss her off" and that I would like to discuss the matter calmly and rationally. She screamed "how dare you go to the labor board", and that I had two choices: sign it and hand it to her or don't sign it and get out. I told her that I could not in good conscience sign the contract as is. 


She yanked open the office door, told me that I obviously didn't want my job, and to get out. I again asked her if we could just discuss the matter. Instead, she continued raving (in front of a thrift store full of customers) that I need to get out. She told me she would be expecting my resignation letter. I told her I would NOT be writing a letter of resignation because that would be the same as stating that I was quitting the position, and that as I viewed it I was being fired for not signing the contract. She said so be it. I handed her my shelter keys and began walking towards the door. She ran in front of me, yanked the shop door open and once again told me to get out. I remained calm and polite (despite my urge to tell her exactly what I thought of her and her contract), and told her that I was sorry we were not able to come to a workable solution. She slammed the door in my face. 

I drove from there directly to the Employment Security Commission office. They made copies of the contract, and told me that I need to go ahead and sign up for unemployment. After reading the contents of the contract, the ESC rep waved it around in front of my face and said "This right here could bring that whole place crashing down". He pointed out areas of the contract that even I missed, about the contradictions and illegal things in the contract. If this were a regular business, I would probably go full force into bringing them down, or at least causing them a huge inconvenience (with labor boards, IRS, etc). However, this is a place that I loved because of how they help our community, and the families/victims of domestic violence. I'm still debating on how far I will go. I don't want to hinder the good that comes from this place, but I do want to make them do the right thing for the people they employ, so if that happens... "so be it".