Continental Airlines, on the “Best Places to Work” list, praises itself on a long-standing tradition of peaceful resolution of workplace conflicts, the so-called Continental way. While Northwest recently fired their mechanics after a strike and threatened the same action to flight attendants, all Continental labor groups obediently took a 25% pay cut (flight attendants were the only one to use the help of a federal mediator).

However, the Continental way was not used for me when, after 5 months of employment with an excellent performance record, I was fired from my job on December 14, 2005 despite the basic courtesy rule for employers that states to hold off any firing till after major holidays and especially Christmas.

Here are some facts about my story:

• One of four employees responsible for the company’s international expansion planning (Senior Analyst of International Planning)
• Moved from Europe to Houston for the job, bought a car and took out a yearly lease
• Now I am left even without ability to claim unemployment

The disagreement with my manager was about me “inappropriately requesting flexibility” (because of my chronic condition, I have to see a therapist once a week and a doctor occasionally) despite a written promise of late mornings and early afternoons. When I stood up for myself, I was slapped with 18 months of probation on December 9. I refused to sign it and appealed to the department head and was subsequently fired on the basis of some fabricated charges – hardly treating me with dignity and respect proclaimed in the so-called “Go Forward” plan adopted by the company.

If my story is of interest to you, please call me at 281-773-2738.


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