Would This Be A Form of Harassment?

[TERRY4]

Ok talked with the owners today. I was told that they had already talked to the Labor Board and unless they have a very justified reason they cannot fire these 2 people. Said they would be opening themselves up for a law suit for wrongful dismissal, which I can see these 2 doing. They had been told that they needed to bring in counselors to help everyone to get along.
I just hope it does not come to the point where I just drop my apron on the counter and walk out the door for forever.

Those 2 are bullies! Did you tell the owners that? You know it's possible that after the counselors in, maybe those 2 will still act like that. THEN there would be grounds to fire them. Because they would be defying the owners then. You've hung in there this long, wait a bit longer and see. I'm Praying for you. I know what it's like!

 

[galanie]

Thing is, they may be opening themselves up for a lawsuit maybe, but will these jerks actually file one? Sometimes you have to step up and take risks or you end up like that owner is. Scared of their employees. Ultimately it is the owner's fault if they have people like these fools working for them and running everyone else off. And if they won't "man up" then maybe you are a lot better off working elsewhere than putting up with this stuff.

 

[mom'sfolly]

I've been following this discussion for a while. Here is the actual law in Montana:

Montana law has abolished the "employment-at-will" status. In Montana, an employer can fire an employee who has completed a probationary period only for good cause. "Good cause" is defined as reasonable job-related grounds for dismissal based on a failure to satisfactorily perform job duties, disruption of operations, or other legitimate business reason.

It looks to me like the owners have reasonable grounds because these employees have failed to perform job duties but more importantly, have disrupted operations through their constant harassment of you. If you have documented this, and customers complaints about these employees, your boss has grounds to fire them. There is also another law that effects this situation. You are now working in what constitutes a "hostile workplace". The owners have a duty to do something to resolve the issue, and that can't be retaliating against you.

 

[galanie]

True enough. "Feeling threatened" goes a long way sometimes. And I'm sure you do indeed feel threatened.

 

[herfrds]

I am looking for a different job. Just do not want to jump from "The Snake Pit" to the "Vipers Nest".

I think one reason they do not want to get rid of these 2 is they have been there for years so they have passed the 6 month probation period. Rather surprising that the owners deal with all the garbage these 2 dish out.

DH asked me if I wanted to continue working there after our new house is finished. Told him NO!
The only things I would miss would be some of the customers and being on the ambulance service. If I could find a job that allowed me to have Wednesday off or part time that day and allow me to go on ambulance runs I would jump on it.
One place is advertising but they will not allow me to go on ambulance runs.

 

[Arielle]

Ok , if this is how the game is played, do you feel threatened enough to file a complaint with the police. Is your work place harassment such that you feel scared to come to work?

ALso while they have passed the 6 month probation, that does not have much bearing if they have now targeted YOU.

I think you might need bigger leverage. Perhaps talk to the state labor board, or a representative, yourself.

 

[Arielle]

http://dli.mt.gov/contact.asp

A number of ways to contact the department of labor in MT. A link at the bottom might be helpful-- middle of top line. Sorry I tried to open it-- took too long on my dial up.

You might need to take this to the labor board yourself as the owners are afraid of being sued. WHich I understand.

DO you feel unsafe at work?? That might be grounds to file a police report.

I would expect that the emoloyer is responsible for your safety while at work.

 

[herfrds]

I'll be honest. No I do not feel threatened by these 2. I know if I felt like they would harm me physically I would have already filed a report with our local law enforcement and walked out the door.

 

[Arielle]

I'll be honest. No I do not feel threatened by these 2. I know if I felt like they would harm me physically I would have already filed a report with our local law enforcement and walked out the door.

For your sake , I"m glad you do not feel physically threatened.

Hope something gives soon, and that it is NOT you!! Hang in there. I would think that the ownders would have grounds based on these two are driving away the good empolyees. THe business certainly isn't doing as well as it could be.

My brother carries insurance because of his job. He gets tires slashed and windows broken on his personal vehicle while at work-- by customers. SO I am glad the situation has not come to the point that your safety is in question.

Stay strong!

 

[herfrds]

We did have a former co-worker who was making me feel threatened. I asked the owners if I could bring in either a bottle of pepper spray or taser for my own safety. They said no, but this person was fired shortly afterwards.

There is a job opportunity for me right now. It does involve travel to the oil field as an EMT, but that means being away from my family for a couple weeks at a time.
Here is a surprise. One of the owners mentioned that they needed to give me a managers number for the till's. I just wish they had not said anything in front of one of my co-workers. I know if they do it will put the supers nose out of joint.