Employers and the Way You Talk

When my husband lost his job from Qualtek Mfg in Colorado Springs 5 months ago, we were upset as many people are when they lose a job. We were even more upset because he got fired, one day after he was asked to take a position as a designer in the company. He refused the position because he didn't feel he was qualified to do an adequate job. When he refused, he was fired. In the course of being fired, he was issued statements by the owner of Qualtek Mfg, Tony Fagnant, giving reasons for the firing.

Among those, were incompetence, lack of knowledge and ability and lack of effort. That was enough to start a war with them. I wrote articles, they got mad and threatened me with an attorney. They attempted to fight his unemployment, but backed out at the last minute, for lack of proof of the accusations. They put a Private Investigator on the case to scare us and try and destroy us. That didn't work either. Every avenue they took was a lie and so unprofessional. However, we got over it. We were determined to let it go and not think about all of the stupid stuff that happened while he was employed. The school house atmosphere, the erratic decisions, the hangovers and the unprofessional leadership that is still very active at Qualtek Mfg.

In talking about various events that happened in the 5 years he worked at Qualtek, we happened upon the conversation about the way we talk. I am from NC originally and he is from Texas. Anybody who knows those parts of the country, also knows that it comes with a particular kind of speech. "Y'all" is a staple word in the South. It comes with the territory.

While working at Qualtek, Tony Fagnant implemented a rule that if in the course of conversation or in meetings, you used words like "Y'all", you had to contribute a $1 to a fund especially for that purpose. My husband told me he had donated over $12 to this crazy rule and always had to be on his guard, when talking. He said anytime Tony was present, when he was leaving to go home or whatever the occasion was, if he said, "I will see y'all later", he was penalized and had to contribute to the wrong word fund.

I decided I could not just let this story pass on by. I am wondering how many employers have stupid ass rules like this? Is this a communist country or what? Do employers have the legal right to fine you for the way you talk?

I have applied for several jobs while living in Colorado. I made the comment once, that I got my foot in the door on many interviews, but when I opened my mouth and this Southern Drawl came spilling out, I lost all hope of getting the job. Tony Fagnant told my husband when he said that out loud, I was wrong. He said there are many people from the South in Colorado. I felt stupid for making the comment. I thought, OK, this man who is from Wyoming and Illinois says my accent shouldn't make any difference here. I will believe that. OK!

Now, after my husband no longer works there, I am finding out that he was just a liar. He too, discriminates against his employees because of speech. 90% of his workforce is from Colorado or further north. He has made numerous comments about Texans and really appears not to like them very much.

Are there other businesses that treat their employees in such a manner? I hope not. I think it would be possible to sue someone based on being required to pay because of your usage of the English language. Don't you? Can an employer force you to talk the way he thinks you should? Can they take your money because you don't?

I am appalled at this companies way of doing business. The more time that goes by, the more crazy things I am finding out. My husband wouldn't tell me while he was working there because of the reaction, he knew I would have. Qualtek Mfg. and it's owner are on a crash course with reality. They treat their employees like yesterday's trash and then throw them away. They have lied, cheated and abused their powers as employers.

The biggest lie of all is Tony's Fagnant's attempt at proper English. He criticized my husband for saying "Y'all", but in a letter about the Southern Delivery System in Colorado, he couldn't even write a paragraph properly. What?
Yes, it is posted on the Internet for the world to see. The same man collecting fines for bad speech made a complete fool of himself in his improper writing of a letter. He continues to walk around flaunting his supposed "degree" and how that makes him better than other people. Education doesn't really matter if you didn't retain it and use it.

Isn't the world full of phoniness? This business owner who looks down his nose at everyone, but came from humble beginnings, lucked out in marriage and now runs a manufacturing business, is charging people for what HE deems as "bad speech". Give me a break here. Where do these people come from? How did they come to own a business? How can anyone do business with them?

No wonder manufacturing is going to other countries. We have companies with potential in the U.S., who are more concerned with someone's speech than producing a reasonably priced, quality product. No need to wonder anymore. We know why now.

If you have an employer who is trying to control the way you talk or treats you differently because of the way you talk, then call an attorney right away. Call the Labor Board. This isn't legal. You can't do this. It is just a shame I didn't know about it while he was employed by Qualtek Mfg.