What Should I Do?

Hi everyone, I don't know where else to turn to at this point. I understand my situation is extremely...long, unique and complex. Just seeking some guidance from some kind strangers.

I'll be explaining my current situation with my employer. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Also, this is happening in a QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) Location: New Jersey. Please note: the nature of my job includes travel.

I began my employment on June 30th, 2025. Interviewed & hired by the District Manager, things started off great. My relationship with coworkers + management was great, I received praise about my work ethic, picked up everything rather quickly, and management knew as long as I was on site, things would run smooth because I'd work above and beyond to ensure all customers were happy, satisfied, and food was brought out in a timely matter.

July 21st 2025, as instructed by my employer, I was on route to another location to finish my training. I was involved in a very bad car accident while on route to the other location. I missed work for a week. No doctors note, police report, or any type of proof was requested from me (relevant for future event)

The first person I called was that same District Manager. He was very understanding and supportive.

Fast forward to August, the company rented out a vehicle for me. I was told that they had never done that for anyone before, but due to my circumstances, and my performance, they were doing it for me.

I had a total of 3 assignments. First two, no issues. I received praise from local management as well as corporate management for my duties.

It wasn't until my final assignment where things began going south.

The initial 3 weeks, all was good. No problems or issues. The 4th week, my nationality became known, that's when I began noticing a sudden shift, from local management as well as that same District Manager.

For context, me and him had a brotherly relationship. Called each other bro, he recommended some local bars/casinos while I was on my travels, casual tone and conversations. So our relationship wasn't super professional by any means, in my eyes, it was brotherly.

That all quickly changed. We went from speaking daily, to going 7+ days without communication. At the time I didn't think much of it as I was preoccupied with doing my job. However, the change wasn't just from him, but from my original management & coworkers back at my home store.

It's September 3rd, I've been away from my home store for approx 6 weeks now. My first day back I'm handed a write up. Reason? For being late 7 weeks ago.

Me not thinking much of it at the time, I signed it.

The following day I arrive 7 minutes late because I was returning the rental vehicle provided to me by the company. Written up again. Alright.

Later that day I received a phone call from that same District Manager, accusing me of falsifying my hours on my last assignment. I was shook. I obviously didn't, and when I asked if that had been an issue at the other 2 locations, he said no and hung up. Interesting...

September 4th I was literally 2 minutes late. Written up again.

September 7th, I texted my General Manager an hour prior to my shift I may be a few minutes late because I'm waiting for my Uber, I sent her a screenshot, she replied "ok", on route the driver missed the exit, which added 15minutes to my trip. Upon my arrival, written up again.

That same day I'm called into the office by my General Manager. Apparently, my coworkers are complaining about me, saying I'm slow, holding them up, and picking on them.

Now at this point I'm clearly noticing a shift from management. A shift in treatment, a shift in tone, and clear favoritism. My coworkers show up late and they don't get written up. But even when I communicate to management, I'm still written up. Now, there's false allegations of me picking on my coworkers and them belittling my performance.

September 13th, I get assigned a task by my supervisor. A task that's unfair and also not part of my job description. I reached out to my District Manager not to complain, but to inform him of the unfair working conditions.

The conversation was extremely hostile from his end. He essentially gave me an ultimatum. I can either quit right now, or go clock out and we can talk on Monday. I was in shock, I clocked out and went home.

That same night I went home to discuss the matter with my family, my brother in law happened to walk in, overheard what happened, and knew the daughter of the CEO of the company. He told me he'd reach out to her and see what the issue is.

Monday September 15th, I walk in and to my surprise, the CEO's daughter is there. She says to me "so, so & so is your brother in law?" Brief convo about my brother in law, nothing about what happened with the District Manager. (The CEO's daughter is also a corporate exec)

Enter October 16th, I ask the Assistant Manager about uniform policy during the winter. She said a plain black sweat is fine.

October 17th, I walk in wearing a plain black sweater, the General Manager questions, ridicules, and embarrasses me in front of all my coworkers. Asking "wheres your uniform? Who told you this is okay?" I told her the Assistant Manager. Then I questioned why my coworker could wear an Adidas logo'd hoodie and it's fine? She rolled her eyes, walked away and ignored me.

October 20th I called out because I was sick, on October 21st I was written up for not having a doctor's note. (Remember the car accident ????)

October 22nd, District Manager is in the store. I simply ask my General Manager what station am I in, her response, a hostile "why you talking to me like that?"

That same day at 12:55pm I was brought into the office by the District Manager in regard to the no doctors note write up. He said, "I know you got written up yesterday, I just want to make sure we're on the same page, this is your last warning" I simply nodded my head and left the office.

That same day at 1:10pm I get called into the office by the General Manager and the District Manager again. She begins telling the District Manager that she's not here to babysit or deal with anyones attitude, and how I'm always picking on my coworkers.

I told them, "guys, I come in, do my job, make my money, and leave. I'm not here to make friends, I'm not here to start problems, I don't have any problems with anyone, I simply come in, do my job and leave."

District Manager begins saying that he could also tell I had an attitude because my "body language was off" whatever the hell that means.

I reiterate why I'm here, General Manager is going back and forth with me, District Manager eventually says alright this is getting childish, he tells me to fix my body language, told him I'll work on it and we all left the office.

This is where I'll end it. There's so much more to this story, HR got involved and totally mishandled the entire process, the CEO essentially came down and intimidated me, SO MUCH has happened. I wish I could make this up.

The ENTIRE purpose of me posting this is because any lawyer I speak to tells me they can't do anything until they fire me, which I have explicit audio recording from my General Manager saying that's something she will not do.

On January 3rd 2026, I spoke with the Department of Civil Rights and submitted the entire series of events, timeline, dates, timestamps, everything. I was told I could expect an answer with 1-2 weeks, it's been over a month.

I've reached out to my case worker both via email and phone call over 5 times asking for an update, nothing.

I've called the Department of Civil Rights multiple times, all they tell me is they will have her reach out and she never does.

I reached out to the Attorney General (because DCR falls under their jurisdiction, they tell me the same thing).

I don't think I have a case, I know I have a case. The treatment I've been faced with, coupled with the sheer amount of hostile meetings (there's more not included in this thread) coupled with fabricated write ups, add on HR's mishandling of the so called investigation and the TIMING of it all.

How do I escalate this? Is there anything above the Civil Rights office? Do I go directly to the Bar association and beg an attorney to hear the entirety of my case? I feel so lost and hopeless, but I know what they out me through isn't legal, and it damn sure isn't right...

Thank you if you've read this far.