Does this seem like a hostile work environment?

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chitwood

Golden Member
Aug 21, 2008
1,208
59
91
Originally posted by: punkdork9
so to do a quick recap: i should look for a new job, all the while using the word F**k like it's going out of style, and then go out office space style.....i like it! :laugh:


:camera: !!
 

kranky

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
21,019
156
106
I have experience working for a nutcase like this guy. I can tell you a few things.

1. He will never change. He knows he's the boss, and will do as he pleases.
2. He doesn't care if people don't like his behavior. It's part of his enjoyment of being the boss.
3. He will never take responsibility for anything. It will always, always, always be someone else's fault. This is because he is completely insecure and cannot handle appearing to be even the tiny bit flawed.
4. There is no point in complaining because of 1, 2 and 3 above.

Now with that in mind, you can choose what to do.
 

ArizonaSteve

Senior member
Dec 20, 2003
764
105
106
Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
Does the situation suck? Yes. Is it a hostile work environment? No.

Why is this not a hostile work environment? It seems to me like the boss is trying to make her quit so he doesn't have to pay unemployment.

Document and record everything.
 

SacrosanctFiend

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2004
4,269
0
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Originally posted by: ArizonaSteve
Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
Does the situation suck? Yes. Is it a hostile work environment? No.

Why is this not a hostile work environment? It seems to me like the boss is trying to make her quit so he doesn't have to pay unemployment.

Document and record everything.

How does it seem like that to you? From what was posted, there is a boss who has anger outbursts but are not sexually offensive, nor directed at a protected class. Granted, the post doesn't really cover everything, but from what was presented, it does not rise to the level of hostile work environment.
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Originally posted by: Robert Munch
Would you say something or let it slide and look for another job?

While looking for another job, I would:
a) Make CYA notes/transcripts describing every such hostile condition.
b) Stand up for myself for the remainder of my time there.
c) File for unemployment if/when I get fired, and use my notes from 'a' to make my case when the employer disputes. (though if they're so disorganized, they might forget to dispute at all).
 

imported_Imp

Diamond Member
Dec 20, 2005
9,148
0
0
Quit...

Sounds somewhat like one of the VPs at my last job. He had a temper, and used the word "fuck" more than anyone in the office. And this was a "man" office, in that everyone used swearing quite liberally (I felt right at home). However, he was pretty cool when he wasn't pissed, but his tantrums were a bit disturbing.
 

dainthomas

Lifer
Dec 7, 2004
14,936
3,915
136
Originally posted by: dabuddha
Originally posted by: sourceninja
If my boss ever says Fuck, I'll assume that it is an acceptable word to use in the office. I would then use the word fuck with every customer I delt with.

This.

 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,224
10,671
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I'd tell him to go fuck himself. I'll take getting bitched at if I fucked up, but I'm not anybody's whipping boy.
 
Jan 13, 2009
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Originally posted by: kranky
I have experience working for a nutcase like this guy. I can tell you a few things.

1. He will never change. He knows he's the boss, and will do as he pleases.
2. He doesn't care if people don't like his behavior. It's part of his enjoyment of being the boss.
3. He will never take responsibility for anything. It will always, always, always be someone else's fault. This is because he is completely insecure and cannot handle appearing to be even the tiny bit flawed.
4. There is no point in complaining because of 1, 2 and 3 above.

Now with that in mind, you can choose what to do.

True.

Also, boss's are only powerful at work...Let the boss know that! outside of work...in the parking lot, you know where his family lives...etc...
 

SmoochyTX

Lifer
Apr 19, 2003
13,615
0
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I'll also go with the find another job and quit answer. They sound like assholes.

Give two weeks notice for your new job but don't give two weeks for your current job. Because you're obviously so incompetent, so many things can go wrong in those last two weeks. Don't fuck up so much that you get fired but enough so that you're a big pain in the ass.

Oops! I think something's wrong with the phone system because the calls keep being dropped (*click*). We're going to have to get somebody out here to fix it. Oh no! Where do all of these gnats and fruit flies keep coming from? I doubt they'll catch the rotting fruit hidden around the office in inconspicuous places. Does anybody else keeping hearing crickets all day? I wonder how they got in the office (*pet store*)! I baked some cupcakes for everybody! Have a couple (that are mega-dosed with salt - start the salt dosage low and then build up over the weeks until they're absolutely horrible)! I wonder why your monitor isn't working. Oh wow, how did the cord become unplugged from the computer?

Well, you get my drift. ;)
 

Farang

Lifer
Jul 7, 2003
10,913
3
0
If I needed the work, I would continue to do my best until I could find a new job. If I could afford it, I would quit immediately. I would not do anything malicious to bring down the value of myself as an employee.
 

Billyzeke

Senior member
Jul 7, 2006
652
1
0
Wait outside his home early one morning with a blanket and baseball bat.

1. Sneak up behind asshole and toss said blanket over his head and wrap him up pretty good
2. Go to work with ball bat
3. Flee scene - go to work
4. Act shocked when you hear of asshole's assualt
 

zCypher

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2002
6,115
171
116
I've seen all kinds of bosses, and I've heard of some that are very much like the one you're describing. All I can say is it's not worth wasting your time for that, and that there are always better opportunities that will provide a nicer work environment with more opportunity.

Life is only what you make it, sometimes it feels like everything is going against you - but people often forget the power they have to change things in their lives; get too used to the routine - a lot of it has to do with how you think and you you see things. There is always work, even if the worst economic times (sometimes the best opportunities arise in these times).

It's usually easiest to just quit and get another job. What's easiest is rarely what's best though... I think what's best in this case is to do what some people here have said - document everything, cover your ass - there's no reason to risk anything - and get your next job BEFORE quitting this one. That way, you're putting yourself in a much better situation. Things don't always end up that way though... all I can say is good luck and hope you make some good choices for yourself!

Some funny replies in here. Office Space style ... nice :D
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
Originally posted by: ArizonaSteve
Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
Does the situation suck? Yes. Is it a hostile work environment? No.

Why is this not a hostile work environment? It seems to me like the boss is trying to make her quit so he doesn't have to pay unemployment.

Document and record everything.

How does it seem like that to you? From what was posted, there is a boss who has anger outbursts but are not sexually offensive, nor directed at a protected class. Granted, the post doesn't really cover everything, but from what was presented, it does not rise to the level of hostile work environment.

It depends on what State the OP is in. You're right if it's a "right to work" State but, if not, verbal abuse does indeed constitute a 'hostile work place.'
 

SacrosanctFiend

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2004
4,269
0
0
Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
Originally posted by: ArizonaSteve
Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
Does the situation suck? Yes. Is it a hostile work environment? No.

Why is this not a hostile work environment? It seems to me like the boss is trying to make her quit so he doesn't have to pay unemployment.

Document and record everything.

How does it seem like that to you? From what was posted, there is a boss who has anger outbursts but are not sexually offensive, nor directed at a protected class. Granted, the post doesn't really cover everything, but from what was presented, it does not rise to the level of hostile work environment.

It depends on what State the OP is in. You're right if it's a "right to work" State but, if not, verbal abuse does indeed constitute a 'hostile work place.'

No, the hostile work environment has to be related to a "protected characteristic" or in retaliation to filing a compliant based upon such a characteristic. Simple verbal abuse does not constitute a hostile work environment.
 
Jan 13, 2009
166
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Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
Originally posted by: ArizonaSteve
Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
Does the situation suck? Yes. Is it a hostile work environment? No.

Why is this not a hostile work environment? It seems to me like the boss is trying to make her quit so he doesn't have to pay unemployment.

Document and record everything.

How does it seem like that to you? From what was posted, there is a boss who has anger outbursts but are not sexually offensive, nor directed at a protected class. Granted, the post doesn't really cover everything, but from what was presented, it does not rise to the level of hostile work environment.

It depends on what State the OP is in. You're right if it's a "right to work" State but, if not, verbal abuse does indeed constitute a 'hostile work place.'

No, the hostile work environment has to be related to a "protected characteristic" or in retaliation to filing a compliant based upon such a characteristic. Simple verbal abuse does not constitute a hostile work environment.

Wasn't the VP in the room when she got yelled at? Wouldn't that be a "hostile environment'?
making one feel dumb in front of others...or humiliation?
 

SacrosanctFiend

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2004
4,269
0
0
Originally posted by: threeringbinder


Wasn't the VP in the room when she got yelled at? Wouldn't that be a "hostile enviroment'?
making one feel dumb in front of others...or humiliation?

In employment law, if it isn't related to a protected characteristic, or in retaliation to filing a compliant based upon such a characteristic, it is not a hostile work environment.

It isn't illegal to simply make someone feel dumb in front of others. Not in the slightest.
 

Bulk Beef

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2001
5,466
0
76
IANAL, but it sounds like a workplace environment that is hostile, which is not the same thing as a hostile work environment.
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
I guess I've dealt with too many unions which isn't the case here. I do think a case could be made regarding "life, liberty and, the pursuit of happiness" though.
 

SacrosanctFiend

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2004
4,269
0
0
Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
I guess I've dealt with too many unions which isn't the case here. I do think a case could be made regarding "life, liberty and, the pursuit of happiness" though.

WTF? No, no it couldn't. That has nothing to do with employment law.