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?

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by Just Not Gettin' It

It was one incident
It wasn't a supervisor or managment
It wasn't about race, sex, or other serious triggers
He quit over an incident that only happened "the other night", without knowing exactly what steps had been taken, so he can't claim said steps were insufficient to allay his concerns.


He's not going to profit.

I'm not so sure it matters that it only happened once. Being threatened with violence in the workplace is usually something not looked upon lightly and usually results in the person making the threats being dismissed.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by vailpass

I know I do.

It's funny when you joke like that. You're like that lovable racist uncle that everybody laughs and shakes their heads at and goes on with the meal.

[RustShack]

My boss told me he wanted to beat the shit out of me and kill me. I could have probably told his boss and got him fired, buuut I kinda felt bad for the guy, and was moving anyways. That job was his life and he loved it, so that's why he never went through with swinging... hes a lot bigger and easily could have killed me though.

[Reerun_KC]

Looks like Hamas Jenkins won again.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

It's funny when you joke like that. You're like a lovable racist uncle that everybody laughs and shakes their heads at and goes on with the meal.

You'll think funny uncle when I backhand your gardener with a whiskey bottle.

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by petegz28

I'm not so sure it matters that it only happened once. Being threatened with violence in the workplace is usually something not looked upon lightly and usually results in the person making the threats being dismissed.

There are no Federal "hostile work environment laws" or "hostile workplace laws" named as such. Creating a hostile workplace is prohibited under certain Federal discrimination laws (listed below).

Subsequently, to be illegal under one of the laws in the eyes of the courts, a hostile work environment typically must be caused by discriminatory workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetics, age or sex; or it must be caused by retaliation in violation of a discrimination law.

Reservists and veterans are protected from a hostile work environment based on their military service, but under a different law. For more information, see Employment Discrimination for Military Service.

Additionally, the harassment typically must be intentional, severe, recurring and pervasive, and interfere with an employee's ability to perform his or her job whether victim or witness.

Lastly, the victim or witnesses typically must reasonably believe that tolerating the hostile work environment is a condition of continued employment. In other words, the victim or witnesses typically must reasonably believe that they have no choice, but to endure a hostile workplace in order to keep their jobs.

http://employeeissues.com/hostile_work_environment.htm

[petegz28]

Techincally if you are twice the size of someone and you threathen someone with bodily harm it is assault and you can be arrested for such.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by vailpass

You'll think funny uncle when I backhand your gardener with a whiskey bottle.

I still love you uncle vail.

[griZZly64]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

If someone is threatening me at work, you bet your ass I'm going to make the entire situation as uncomfortable for the other party within the law.

However, I find it telling that you are defending the guy who operated outside the realm of law and chastising the guy who operated within.

Why can't you fix a problem yourself without the help of the law???? You can't come in the next day and ask the person if you guys can have a quick chat about your disagreement the day before? What, you can't be bothered to actually face and solve your own problems? Nah instead lets get a criminal charge put on his record. Lets literally alter his life. Forget talking to the person and possibly receiving a sincere apology. Forget working things out and both people coming out of the situation with another life lesson learned. Forgot forgiveness. Forget human error. You've obviously never done anything wrong.

What if I bought myself a bag of cheetos and I come to your house to hang out. You grab my bag of cheetos, open it up and pour them into your mouth. When I say "hey man that's not cool" and you reply with "what you gunna do about it?" so I in turn grab my cell phone and dial 9-1-1. Tell the operator that my personal space has been invaded. My belongings have been taken from me without my consent and the situation has me feeling extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed.

I can no longer be in viewing radius of this household because it causes anxiety. I now have an anxiety disorder that caused my doctor to prescribe me a prescription pill to help me cope. I have no insurance to pay for these pills that I now NEED. I can't hold down a job anymore because the anxiety has grown and fleshed out into paranoia. I'm now taking two prescriptions. Now I'm like a zombie 24/7 and cant hold down a job because Im not coherent. I'm now collecting government checks. My wife left me because of the what I've become. I've hit rock bottom. I can't eat, I can't sleep. I'm literally torturing myself. I ignore my friends attempts to help me. I've alienated myself from my family because I won't leave my house. My life has been altered and I wasn't consulted about it.

Finally someone asks me how this all happened. After hearing my story they say I should sue and press charges for terrorising me and ruining my life. Now you've got ANOTHER criminal charge to go with your "petty theft" I hit you with when the event first occurred. Now when you look for a job you must check "Have you ever been convicted of a crime?" Yes. You can't afford to pay the restitution so now they're gouging your wages. Pissed off with the whole ordeal you go have a few drinks @ the local bar. Someone says something to set you off. You hit them right in their ugly mug. BAM another charge. This time you have priors. Now you must do jail time. Your wife is sick and tired of being broke, her credit has gone to shit, you don't pay attention to her or the kids. She writes you in jail. Attached are divorce papers. The next morning you're found dangling from the ceiling by your neck. GG all because I couldn't solve our differences myself like an adult.

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by griZZly64

Why can't you fix a problem yourself without the help of the law???? You can't come in the next day and ask the person if you guys can have a quick chat about your disagreement the day before? What, you can't be bothered to actually face and solve your own problems? Nah instead lets get a criminal charge put on his record. Lets literally alter his life. Forget talking to the person and possibly receiving a sincere apology. Forget working things out and both people coming out of the situation with another life lesson learned. Forgot forgiveness. Forget human error. You've obviously never done anything wrong.

What if I bought myself a bag of cheetos and I come to your house to hang out. You grab my bag of cheetos, open it up and pour them into your mouth. When I say "hey man that's not cool" and you reply with "what you gunna do about it?" so I in turn grab my cell phone and dial 9-1-1. Tell the operator that my personal space has been invaded. My belongings have been taken from me without my consent and the situation has me feeling extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed.

I can no longer be in viewing radius of this household because it causes anxiety. I now have an anxiety disorder that caused my doctor to prescribe me a prescription pill to help me cope. I have no insurance to pay for these pills that I now NEED. I can't hold down a job anymore because the anxiety has grown and fleshed out into paranoia. I'm now taking two prescriptions. Now I'm like a zombie 24/7 and cant hold down a job because Im not coherent. I'm now collecting government checks. My wife left me because of the what I've become. I've hit rock bottom. I can't eat, I can't sleep. I'm literally torturing myself. I ignore my friends attempts to help me. I've alienated myself from my family because I won't leave my house. My life has been altered and I wasn't consulted about it.

Finally someone asks me how this all happened. After hearing my story they say I should sue and press charges for terrorising me and ruining my life. Now you've got ANOTHER criminal charge to go with your "petty theft" I hit you with when the event first occurred. Now when you look for a job you must check "Have you ever been convicted of a crime?" Yes. You can't afford to pay the restitution so now they're gouging your wages. Pissed off with the whole ordeal you go have a few drinks @ the local bar. Someone says something to set you off. You hit them right in their ugly mug. BAM another charge. This time you have priors. Now you must do jail time. Your wife is sick and tired of being broke, her credit has gone to shit, you don't pay attention to her or the kids. She writes you in jail. Attached are divorce papers. The next morning you're found dangling from the ceiling by your neck. GG all because I couldn't solve our differences myself like an adult.

Take your meds.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by petegz28

One question, what made you resign? Why did you choose that route?

Literally what I told my supervisor in person and in an email. "I do not feel safe working around this individual."

This ****er could be bat shit crazy for all I know. And this very large possibly bat shit crazy guy likes to yell a lot and get in my face and say "we'll finish this in the parking lot after work" like an 18 year old high school student.

[Mugalug]

Originally Posted by Just Not Gettin' It

It was one incident
It wasn't a supervisor or managment
It wasn't about race, sex, or other serious triggers
He quit over an incident that only happened "the other night", without knowing exactly what steps had been taken, so he can't claim said steps were insufficient to allay his concerns.


He's not going to profit.

You forgot to snidely wish him luck again.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by splatbass

Take your meds.

. He's one giant

[griZZly64]

Originally Posted by splatbass

Take your meds.

I cant afford them because I'm still paying my restitution for whistling at a woman on the street corner.

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by Mugalug

You forgot to snidely wish him luck again.

Different person