How do I handle this hostile work environment?

Question

I work for a large retail pharmacy. I have a pharmacist that constantly talks bad about me to my fellow co-workers. She is nice to my face. I confronted her and she just tried to back peddle her way out of it. I asked my boss, who is hers as well, to please talk with her about it and ask her to please stop gossiping about me. My boss is not good with confrontation and i'm not sure that he will or has done this. The biggest problem i have is that she talks about me to other employees and i feel that since she is a management position that this is not right. I have had personal problems in my life recently and this is what she chooses to talk about and seemingly judge me for. I am a great employee....i have been with this company for 10 years......i work hard....stay late...and am at the top of my game. Even she can't deny that. I am also a union employee. I wanted to get some input from un-biast people on what I should do? A lawyer told me that this was a hostile work place?

Answer 1

You have taken the first step by consulting your mutual boss or supervisor. Try to document from now on when things are said and what is said if possible, get witnesses, and lastly notify your Union Rep.

Her actions are unwarranted, and need to be stopped. Your personal life is just that, yours. Anything you say to her has to be kept in confidence, and her saying anything about them is a trust issue, and is not tolerated by most upper management.

Get a lawyer when you get the info you need and just let them know you have consulted a law firm about the issues that are affecting your job and now your livelyhood.

Get as MUCH help as you can from your co-workers, and document times, dates and everything you can. I know here they have cameras and microphones in the larger pharmacys, if you do use that.

Most of all get Union and legal representation. Good luck

Answer 2

Stay professional. If this woman is talking about you, it says more about her than about you, and your co workers most likely recognize this. If you have been there 10 years and you have a union, you have to decide if it's worth your time and effort to fight this. You told your supervisor. Document that. Start an email trail if you can.
It may be better for you to just drop it, and continue on professionally, She will end up getting what is due her for this. Don't stir up too much trouble around this or they will remember YOU for that. Stay quiet & under the radar until things settle....keep your private life at home, and she will find someone else to talk about.
Good Luck

Answer 3

document everything everyday. research work place violence get statistics of work place violence.present your boss and your union rep with this and tell them your are worried this person may become violent when she feels her words havent hurt you enough. if no solution is made on the union company level then get an attorney or get one now see where you stand. or talk to at five to get different advice.

Answer 4

Talk to another lawyer. If your environment has turned hostile and your manager and above decide to do nothing, they could be legally liable.

Go to your manager's boss, then your union rep, and if those fail then go back to your lawyer and sue sue sue.

Answer 5

What a horrible thing for her to hear and have to deal with. The only thing short of hiring a lawyer is to quit and find another job. Get her out of that environment.

Answer 6

If she is talking about your race, religion, or your work history to others, you can definitely file a complaint. I can't imagine that your company would allow someone in management to discuss to your personal problems with others. Go to her boss. If that doesn't work, go to his/her boss and so on.

Answer 7

well if your boss wont handle it, got his/her boss. And go and talk with your HR rep.