Vesta Corinne Peters Wrongful termination: hearing disability Internet, Oregon

Recently I was fired from Vesta Corporation for reasons I consider illegitimate. Obviously nobody (or very few) believe themselves deserving of termination, however upon sharing the information with former co-workers who expressed shock that I was fired for something this trivial I was convinced to lodge complaints. Imagine my lack of surprise to find 92 consumer complaints against Vesta on Ripoff Report. Let's make that 93.

Nearing the end of training, the trainer (Corinne Peters) was struggling to quiet student discussions near the front of the class, but could not be heard over them. I intervened, exclaiming "silence" in a humorous accent, which in retrospect was out of place but also a joke that has always been received well before. It was, in other words, a well intentioned attempt to volunteer assistance to the trainer in returning to the lesson.

I believe it may have been startlingly loud (I often am, due to a partial hearing loss) but I don't understand how this can be a firing offense nor did anyone I've described this event to. I was singled out and humiliated, when I tried to explain my intent I was interrupted by a demand that I apologize, which I did. That I was made to apologize for something I later discovered most of the other trainees found amusing, and then fired nonetheless added insult to injury. Corinne, it turns out, has been with the company for perhaps five years and much break room conversation centered around her unfortunate attitude. I did bring this up later but they circled their wagons around her, indicating that her seniority probably will prevent any corrective measures from being taken. This is a shame, but office politics are a fact of life.

What led me to conclude that my hearing loss was the pivotal issue was a series of not so subtle intimations during the exit interview that I "find a position better suited to my abilities". I inquired as to whether they meant my call performance, and was reassured that in fact my call performance up to that point had been excellent. Upon clarification it became obvious that their meaning was that someone who struggles to hear clearly over the phone and who has difficulty gauging the precise volume of their voice is at a disadvantage working in a call center setting. I agree, but the Americans with Disability Act exists precisely to protect the employment of individuals who struggle with such a disadvantage yet demonstrate competent performance in the workplace. I am in the process of filing a complaint with the EEOC.

I urge those reading this, especially those who perhaps have a loved one working at Vesta with a disability or who work there themselves under these conditions, do not let things like this slide. Vesta maintains an "A" rating with the Better Business Bureau precisely because most complain elsewhere. Only 30 complaints have been lodged with BBB yet I see 92 here. That also may not be sufficient as I understand all that's required of them to effectively nullify the complaints is to 'address' them via a copied and pasted response, as seen on most of the other complaints here. Nonetheless, their BBB page is very probably what potential clients check out first before making the decision whether to do business with them or not. 122 complaints on their BBB page would more accurately reflect consumer and former employee dissatisfaction with Vesta's apparent indifference to the ADA than the current 30. 

And, as goes without saying, their major clients would appreciate hearing your complaints. T-Mobile, Cricket, Boost, and AT&T are their largest contracts to my knowledge. Taking the time to lodge a complaint on the BBB page and then notifying their clients that you're dissatisfied with their choice of partner is, unfortunately, the most effective method available to the 'little guy' for putting pressure on Vesta to improve. 

P.S. I eagerly anticipate the carefully calculated response from whichever Vesta employee is assigned to don the replica halo and be management's mouthpiece. Reading those and chuckling at their transparency is a big part of what keeps me coming back to this site.