They took my job but they can't take my integrity.

And just like that... I'm out of a job, again.

It is a trying time in my life right now. I was quite suddenly "let go" in the midst of my shift yesterday for reasons that were first reluctant to be shared by the owner. I pretty much had to drag the reason out of him and there we stood in front of the store, a place I had grown to enjoy working at (despite their own mistakes as a new business), crying my eyes out like someone who just had their heart broken.

His main reasoning involved a shortage in the register, which led to an indirect insinuation that I had stolen money and without any warning, as stated in their company policy when handling such over/short register situations, they just wanted to get rid of me. Company policy says I am allowed 2 counseled warnings before a written one is conducted if something like this happens.

Rather than conduct any investigation or even so much as ask me about it, they thought they could just make me disappear. I have already written them a very fierce email about my thoughts on how their termination of me was premature and unprofessional. I even had to go so far as to cite the California Labor Code for lawful protocol in discharging an employee, which they did not follow. I'm supposed to be paid immediately upon termination and for every day that I'm not, they are supposed to pay me each day that I was supposed to work. I have rights and cannot deny the patriotism I feel to fully exercise them.

Sometimes I feel like I am a little Asian David against the big bad Goliath of a rich Italian family. For the two weeks I was at this store, I worked under fear of displeasing them that I did anything and everything I was asked, like a good little worker. I always felt like the help, serving this rich family that I was technically supposed to work with and not simply for. It didn't matter that one of their own was clocked in and worked the shift with me, they were always allowed special treatment, whether that meant the freedom to mess up or the ability to take advantage of store products. But I always kept my mouth shut because I needed the job. I never again want to be so desperate for money that I forsake my principles and be made less of a person.

But the whole way this termination happened has been really shady. I'm hurt and offended and feel like my personal integrity was attacked. I believe that every person needs to stand up for themselves. I'm not a doormat and don't let people take advantage of me. Many people in the past have been intimidated by my strength and my ability to voice my opinions. But if we do not speak up for ourselves when we can, how much more does that only perpetuate the imbalance of power and class?

I am fighting for myself, looking to the Divine for strength, for peace in the midst of all this disappointment and possible legal problems. I just want what is owed to me, for the corporate headquarters to know how business is being conducted out here and how their name has already been tarnished. It's not okay. At least I know now that I never want to work for people who don't know what they're doing. As much as employers expect from their staff, those same standards of professionalism and honesty should be expected from us to them.

I need to know I'm not alone in this. Your support is appreciated and I'm grateful to my friends who have helped me find strength, ethical affirmation and in obtaining legal resources. My parents have also been very upset for me and are telling me to call them everyday until they mail me my paycheck.

I'll keep you updated as this continues, which hopefully won't be dragged out too long. I'm tired, disheartened but hanging on.

- Wen