I'm the only girl in my team at the job I work at in a factory . And I have been at this new job for a month now. I have gotten to know that attitudes of my coworkers and in particular 2 who think it is funny to laugh at me and act childish when I make a mistake, or misunderstand what someone is saying. We wear earplugs so it is very hard to understand. One coworker called me a moron when there was a forklift behind me and I didnt see it, he didn't even tell me to move he just said "Hey Moron" infront of everyone, then he said im stubborn or something, he isn't very good in english but I know what he says. The 2nd guy just laughs at me if he says something I don't understand or if I make a mistake, he does this thing with his hand and points at his face making circles, which means retarded in child language, and he continues to laugh. At the same time he tells me "do u ever listen?" I'm not close with either of these people. But I laugh it off when I feel like crap. Advice?
2007-01-03 23:46:52 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
Get tough!! Don't laugh "with" them. Tell them to knock it off and grow the hell up. Where is your supervisor when this is going on? Maybe he/she needs to be enlightened of this behavior and hopefully they don't condone it or participate in it. Try to handle it yourself if you can. But if it doesn't stop, go on up the line, honey. You don't need to tolerate that crap. Good luck.
2007-01-03 23:53:00 · answer #1 · answered by sophia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is harassment and in many countries, workplace harassment is illegal. Check out the laws in your country. It could also be considered sexual harassment since you're the only girl on the team and they don't treat each other the way they treat you.
Start documenting everything they say and do that is demeaning and insulting, including date and approximate time, what you were doing, who heard/saw it etc. It will be admissible in court. Make a record of it for about a month or two, then go to the company and claim workplace harassment. If they do nothing or their response isn't satisfactory, go to your governmental authorities and claim sexual discrimination against the company, since they allow this to happen to you, no one else, and you're the only woman on the team there. Contact the newspapers at this stage as well. That's also a civil lawsuit, by the way, and you could be looking at some BIG BUCKS coming your way!
Good luck! No place for idiots at the workplace, especially in a plant where people could get hurt.
2007-01-03 23:59:50 · answer #2 · answered by Me in Canada eh 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, sorry to hear what you had to endure. Factories are usually not a good working environment for girls, but for tough guys. I seriously suggest you consider a different job.
Like others said here, this is not just poking fun anymore, it is definitely harassment. You should not just laugh it off at the first place, and you should have confronted them then.
Now before you take any action, think about if you still want to work there after all this.
If yes, check your company's policy about harassment first. Then try to manage this all by yourself before recording what they said and reporting to your supervisor. You can tell them you have had it enough and this is harassment at work. And tell them what would happen to them based on your company's policy, if they keep doing this to you. Wait and see if they would stop. If they stop, then you are good, and hopefully you would gain some respect from them. If they continue doing that, show your records to your supervisor. If he/she does not do anything, then keep going to upper management, or go for a law suit.
If you do not want to work there anymore, then start looking for a new job, and at the same time prepare for the law suit against this company.
Wish you success.
2007-01-05 17:14:36 · answer #3 · answered by fuzzify 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I would do is simply ask them how they did on their first few weeks on the job. I am sure they were just as "awkward" as you may seem. No one gets experience overnight and there will be mistakes made. The next time one of them says "hey moron" ignore them and if they say it again then you say, "I'm sorry, were you addressing me?" If you don't answer the first time and there are people around, it will make them look dumb. And if they say "yeah, you" you simply say, "I'm sorry but I do have a name and I would appreciate it if you would use it." If they are as neanderthal as you are saying, they will not know how to handle that. You can also go to management, but depending on how your management is, they may not want to get involved in this petty thing. To them it's petty, but to you its upsetting. You may wind up handling this yourself, but make sure there are witnesses around that are willing to back you up if you decide to go to management. Your word against them gets you nowhere. Good luck.
2007-01-03 23:59:13 · answer #4 · answered by hazeleyedbeauty1967 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some things can be ignored, but if it gets serious and you feel like you are being singled out or discriminated against you need to report it as soon as possible to the proper people. An unbiased party is best for reporting situations like these.
2007-01-03 23:51:25 · answer #5 · answered by nealee 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What does your boss say when you tell him or her about it. Be sure they are notified, keep track of what the coworkers say to you and the day they said it. Keep a diary of this. If it gets really bad, you will have documentation. Maybe the coworkers are trying to get you to quit.
2007-01-03 23:52:32 · answer #6 · answered by hirebookkeeper 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is harassment, plain and simple.
You need to go to your supervisor and let them know what's happening. If they don't do anything to fix this situation go to HR.
There is no reason to have to work in a situation like this.
Best of luck
2007-01-03 23:53:53 · answer #7 · answered by besimorhino 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get over it and do your job. If you let what others say about you, then you have a long row to hoe.
Don't stoop to their low level by acknowledging them. Rise above it.
2007-01-04 00:37:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off harassment is illegal if you need to go to your supervisor and report it. Or give it back. Get tough skin!
2007-01-03 23:50:01 · answer #9 · answered by starchild_kisschild 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋