Can a company violate their own employee handbook/contract without penalty.

Handbooks are generally not "contracts" and are provided to employees for informational purposes. You may want to point out the provision of the...

FMLA makes it unlawful for any employer to interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of any right provided under FMLA and discharge or...

It would depend on the content and the circumstances. Given that he is not getting back to you, it may be best to file a small claims action...