Being Threatened at Work

[TLO]

I need some advice here.

The other night at my workplace, I was involved in a verbal argument with a co-worker, (with my co-worker doing most of the yelling). He had an issue with the way I was doing something at work, and absolutely laid into me with a verbal assault laced with profanity.

I tried my best to ignore him, but he kept at it. Finally I turned around from my work, and told him to "shut the **** up". He got in my face, and said "this isn't over- we'll finish this in the parking lot after work".

Keep in mind I am about half his age, half his size, and he's the one yelling about how we will finish this after work. (Seems a little childish to me.) He stayed in my face for a minute or two yelling profanity, with no supervisors or any other co-workers stepping in to stop him.

I felt threatened enough that I left work, and even made a police report about the incident. (I want my bases covered in-case he ever does anything physical) The officer went into my work and warned the employee, and basically told him to back off, and that if he kept it up I could indeed press charges.

What is my next step here? I am trying to cover my ass because this worthless get me by job is just a temporary thing until I start my career. Is there any other actions I should take?

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by Just Not Gettin' It

You seriously think you'd have a case for "hostile work environment" based upon one confrontation which was not about any of the trigger reasons (sex, race, etc...)?

Yes. Sex, race, etc., are not requirements for a hostile work environment, harassment for those things is a separate issue. Do you seriously think that only minorities and women can file a complaint about a hostile work environment?

[Demonpenz]

Originally Posted by splatbass

I have done manual labor, and had shitty bosses. That is why I went to school, so I wouldn't have to lose my self-respect working for an asshole that yells all the time.

I don't really give a shit what magazines you've been in. Big ****ing deal.

sounds like you are doing well for yourself.

[suds79]

Originally Posted by ChiefsFan369

I am having a meeting with 2 people a little further up the company ladder this afternoon.

I feel like resigning my position. I don't want to go back and face this guy or some of my co-workers.

This is really unbelievable. Not trying to pretend to be tough guy here because I'm not but come on man. At some point you've got to stand up for yourself.

Can't quit and run. From your story you did nothing wrong. You going to let this guy make you quit?

Wouldn't your co-workers be on your side on this? Weird if they aren't. (ie - not getting the full story or you're really unliked at work)

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by splatbass

I have done manual labor, and had shitty bosses. That is why I went to school, so I wouldn't have to lose my self-respect working for an asshole that yells all the time.

I don't really give a shit what magazines you've been in. Big ****ing deal.

Yells all the time??? LOL.

And why do you keep inferring that i DIDN'T go to school? Because i mis-typed on a forum?

Sorry, but you still sound like a bitch.

Losing self respect because someone yelled at you for not doing your job right.....

Talk about being a pussy....

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

sounds like you are doing well for yourself.

I'm doing ok. No complaints. I work with adults who act professional. I get paid well. I enjoy my job. I get to travel a lot internationally as well as within the US. Is it perfect? No job is. But it is very good.

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by The Macho Man

Yells all the time??? LOL.

And why do you keep inferring that i DIDN'T go to school? Because i mis-typed on a forum?

Sorry, but you still sound like a bitch.

Losing self respect because someone yelled at you for not doing your job right.....

Talk about being a pussy....

Right, internet tough guy.

Hint: people with self-respect don't need to always act like tough guys.

[ChiTown]

At this entire thread.

[Demonpenz]

Originally Posted by splatbass

I'm doing ok. No complaints. I work with adults who act professional. I get paid well. I enjoy my job. I get to travel a lot internationally as well as within the US. Is it perfect? No job is. But it is very good.

That is good. We were all rooting for you.

[Demonpenz]

Are you the sound tech for Randy Travis?

[ShortRoundChief]

Originally Posted by Just Not Gettin' It

You seriously think you'd have a case for "hostile work environment" based upon one confrontation which was not about any of the trigger reasons (sex, race, etc...)?

Those are discrimination triggers. Discrimination and hostile work environment are not the exact same thing, with the definition of a hostile work environment being : A hostile work environment exists when an employee experiences workplace harassment and fears going to work because of the offensive, intimidating, or oppressive atmosphere generated by the harasser.

I think those conditions are being met in this case as well as assault.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

Are you the sound tech for Randy Travis?

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by splatbass

Right, internet tough guy.

Hint: people with self-respect don't need to always act like tough guys.

Who is acting like a tough guy?

Stating that being chewed out and not taking it personally = acting like a tough guy now?

If a man who has been at his craft for 30+ years is teaching you his ways and yells at you for ****ing up, im not gonna go cry in a corner. Im going to listen and do my best to do better next time, then we're back to being friends again.

That has nothing to do with being a tough guy and everything to do with not acting like a bitch about it.

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by splatbass

Yes. Sex, race, etc., are not requirements for a hostile work environment, harassment for those things is a separate issue. Do you seriously think that only minorities and women can file a complaint about a hostile work environment?

You seem to have missed the "etc...". Here's an oldie, but a goodie:

A. The Formal Definition of "Harassment"

The first place to look in determining the scope of harassment law, of course, is the legal definition of "harassment." Speech can be punished as workplace harassment if it's

"severe or pervasive" enough to

create a "hostile or abusive work environment"

based on race, religion, sex, national origin, 1 age, disability (including obesity), 2 military membership or veteran status, 3 or, in some jurisdictions, sexual orientation, marital status, 4 transsexualism or cross-dressing, 5 political affiliation, 6 criminal record, 7 prior psychiatric treatment, 8 occupation, 9 citizenship status, 10 personal appearance, 11 "matriculation," 12 tobacco use outside work, 13 Appalachian origin, 14 receipt of public assistance, 15 or dishonorable discharge from the military 16

for the plaintiff and for a reasonable person.

http://www2.law.ucla.edu/volokh/harass/breadth.htm

Here's another look from more recent times:

http://lawdigitalcommons.bc.edu/cgi/...20pervasive%22

Things have evolved since then, but you should be able to get the point.

[TLO]

Back from my meeting. I resigned from my postion. They acted as if the incident was no big deal, and seemed to be trying to sweep it under the rug. They wouldn't give me any details of the action they took against him, though they did say he was talked to. I'm thinking it may be time to seek some legal advice.

[Demonpenz]

Originally Posted by ChiefsFan369

Back from my meeting. I resigned from my postion. They acted as if the incident was no big deal, and seemed to be trying to sweep it under the rug. They wouldn't give me any details of the action they took against him, though they did say he was talked to. I'm thinking it may be time to seek some legal advice.

sorry for your loss.