My husband and I work together at a car dealership. he is the manager and i sell cars. when he was hired-- he verbally confirmed that he would work for this organization if I also was hired on. a few months after he worked there, there was a management change. his partner was replaced with a manager who oversaw him and another manager. this new manager is not ok with us working together and has made numberous comments about it and has verbalized with my husband that he is not happy with us working together. the new manager is not happy with the fact that my husband gets an override pay on what i sell and work car deals with me with people that we both know-- the new manager is looking for reasons to fire me but doesnot want to lose my husband because he is good at what he does and his collegues are dependent on his skills and knowledge. I make good money selling cars and i'm good at what i do and my husband and I have worked together at previous dealerships before this one. we took this move to this new company because this company is larger with possible opportunities. now it just seems like a nightmare. what are my rights if i were fired because of us being a couple (even though my husband took the job contingent on my ability to be employed there)? My husband's new boss is now saying that the head General Manager is denying approving my hiring and was never informed of the decision to hire me-- infact he would have disapproved my hire. I've been employed at this organization for 6 mths now and have just heard about this issue now. This feels like discrimination-- is it?

No, it's not descrimination and in fact it's a highly unusual arrangement made to hire a husband and wife together when one reports to the other as a supervisor.

I don't doubt that you are both good at your jobs, the arrangement wouldn't have been made if you weren't, however there is going to be internal conflict on this wether it exists or not.

Very few companies would ever consider this arrangment and the company is correcting it's mistake. Your best bet is to leave on your own before both your employment is compromised, if you can sell cars there, you can sell cars anywhere.

Good luck,

what are my rights if i were fired because of us being a couple (even though my husband took the job contingent on my ability to be employed there)? None. This is not prohibited discrimination and as sockeye stated, many employers would be uncomfortable with a husband-wife team working closely together, especially with one reporting to another.

They don't need a reason to fire you beyond "we're just not comfortable with this arrangement." Since the handwriting is on the wall, I suggest you look for a new position elsewhere before they make the decision for you.

A company can enforce a usually non-published policy whereas married couples cannot work in the same division or car lot or whatever. It's also not a real good idea to work with your spouse in the same place for income security reasons unless you are owners of the place. For the sake of family income, I'd suggest (just my opinion) going to a different place of employment and not putting all your eggs in one basket.