Forced out of my workplace!

[ann755majik]

I have been at my place of employment for 15 1/2 years.
Never been written up, suspended, or even warned about anything. Never late etc............
I've always had perfect evals.
We were handed "new" work scheduals.
My new schedual is 2pm, to 10:00pm 4 days a week, and 3pm to 10:00pm every other weekend.
I have worked 6am, to 12:00pm, or 2pm depending on what's happening that day. Monday-Friday for the last 10 years.
I also work afternoons at my husband's, and my business in Iowa, and we raise livestock-so it is impossible for me to work these new hours.
I will be forced to put in my two weeks notice next Friday.
Will I be able to collect unemployment from this company? I was told to work these new hours, or there is the door!
I am also concidering hiring a lawyer for discrimination, and hostile workplace.
This company is in Minnesota.

[Pattymd]

It is very rare to be granted UI benefits if you quit, although you have nothing to lose by filing. Changing your hours is not normally a good enough reason.

Discrimination and hostile working environment? Do you want to elaborate?

[ann755majik]

Two employees have gone to my supervisor, and complained about me several times, trying to get me in trouble.
These two are "butt kissers", and don't like people who do their job well. So, they try to get others in trouble for no reason.
My evals say enough about my work perfomance.

[Pattymd]

Unless there is something else you haven't posted, an "uncomfortable" working environment is not legally actionable. There is no law against your colleagues or supervisors being rude or unpleasant or just plain old jerks. And it doesn't make any difference if your evaluations have been stellar forever. The doctrine of "at-will employment" means that your employer may fire you for any reason that is not illegal, and that you may quit at any time for any reason.

[cbg]

To expand upon Patty's correct answer, the term "hostile work environment" has a specific meaning under the law, and your situation as you have described it does not meet that definition.

Unless you are being subjected to either sexual harassment or illegal discrimination under Title VII (race, gender etc.) you are not, legally, in a hostile work environment. An unpleasant environment is not going to meet that standard no matter how unpleasant it may be unless those factors are involved.

Most discrimination is perfectly legal. It is only illegal if it is based upon, i.e. BECAUSE OF, your membership in a group protected by law (again, race, gender, etc.)

Nothing you have described gives you any legal recourse.

[ann755majik]

Thank you both for your input.
I appriciate it very much. It puts a light on my situation.
I might add that four coworkers were given day positions, that do include every other weekend as well. These four coworkers have less senority than myself, and one of my fellow day workers.
She has been with this company for 18 years.
Does this make any difference in my case?

[Pattymd]

Not unless you have a valid, enforceable employment contract requiring that seniority be used as the criteria for work rules.