What is the law regarding verbal threats on the job?

Question

I have been repeatedly threatened by an employee, who reports to me, with the following threat: "I am going to get you fired then kill you". When I brought this to the attention of the owners I was told "Oh, he's just a punk". The punk is being mentored (for lack of a better term) by the owner of the company, so my recourse is limited since I need the job. Any suggestion?

Answer 1

Just the kill you part is a threat. You can take that to the police and see what they say. Or call your HR department.

Answer 2

Well, first of all, what kind of company is this, and is there any type of harrassment policies that you have been informed of at any time?
Regardless of the type of company it is, a threat is a threat. This is something that you should sit down with the owners again about, and let them know that you actually feel threatened, and that this is a repeated occurance.
Whether or not they think "he's just a punk" or not, they have the obligation as your employer to prevent there being what is known as a "Hostile Work Environment".
Have them sign a statement by you that says that you have brought this to their attention. Let them know you're serious.

They cannot (legally) terminate your employment for bringing this to their attention. In fact, if you have informed them of the situation, and they have done nothing to correct it, or their efforts were very minimal, then you have a case against them.

Check out this link on the definition of Hostile work Environment:

http://www.law.ucla.edu/volokh/harass/defn.htm

There is also this link you should look at:

http://www.employeedevelopmentsolutions.com/freearticles/hostileworkenvironments.htm


Good luck to you, and stand up for what is right.

Answer 3

If the boss does not care, you can either wait to see if you get fired and killed or find another job. Some people are immune and/or exempt from the laws that govern the rest of us. If you think it's more serious than a "punk attitude" then file a police report. However, be forewarned, a restraining order has never stopped someone from exacting a physical attack who wanted to harm another person. The law only has an impact on those who care whether they live or die or are incarcerated or not.

Answer 4

Check the EEC guidelines on-line, but when reporting a threat such as your you do have specific rights in the workplace. And if the boss does nothing about it, and you get fired; remember the whistle-blowers act. Workplace violence is a serious matter and there are attorneys to handle this type of aggression.

Answer 5

Contact your state's Labor Board. If your owner is too much of a wuss to control his own employee, they'll take care of it. And if the boss tries to retaliate by shafting you, then go back to the Labor Board and file a grievance against your boss. If his pattern holds up, he will be too intimidated to do anything to you after that.

Answer 6

it happened at my work, and the employee who was making the threats was reported, and suspended for 1 month, outside of work, it is known as terroristic threats, and is against the law. report it right away to your employer. these kind of people, can snap and go nuts on someone.

Answer 7

File a police report...

A threat is a threat.

Doesn't matter that he isn't serious...

Do that a few times... and... see where that goes.

Answer 8

well just try not to bump into this idiot on the job if you can .you have reported it so the company is possible for any thing that happen from now on .they are liable you can sue them.and you want lose your job

Answer 9

is it a small company and you want to keep your job then grin and bare it.