Boss is vebally abusive!?

Question

I been at this job for 6 mons now and i cant begin to tell you the things that i have went through. i mean, seriously my boss is a complete *****. It seems like whenever she has a bad day she takes it out on us by screaming at us, calling us all sorts of names (from idiots to retards to the whole nine) and i cant take anymore of this bull **** anymore. I mean, no one has to tolerate this, ya know? To be honest i didnt think i would be here this long either, it is just at that point now where I hate coming in to work because I no matter what I get my head bitten off and screamed at. I am a damn good employee, i go out of my way and do my job because i like it not for her, but the smallest **** ticks her off. Anyways, I am seriously ready to walk to hell outta here I am only concerned because I dont have another job lined up. What do ya'll think, is it worth the hassel now to stick around for a couple of month until i find another job or just take a damn risk and walk the hell out TODAY?

Answer 1

start making a log now of all things said and done,to whom,who withnessed and include the date and time. take this to her higher up and tell that higher boss that you will not tolerate her abuse anymore. log his/her response. if he doesn't do anything about it call the labor board. it should not be you looking for a new job it should be her.
good luck
there are alot of laws against this. just be sure to back up any claim with a log!!

Answer 2

Time for a little chat with an attorney -your employer is, quite likely, guilty of harassment for which the penalties are severe. Meanwhile, what you need to do is keep a log (as already suggested) in which you include date, time and exactly what was said.

It sounds like you're not the only one getting the shaft, so having some witnesses to what's happening is a good idea, as well.

If you DO have an HR department, then you need to make an approach to the Director of that department, with your log in hand (a copy of it, that is) and be prepared to make a formal statement about what's going on. If you DON'T have such a department, then you need to discuss it with your boss's supervisor. In short, it behooves you to first take reasonable measures to address the matter before calling in the authorities.

For your own edification, you might consider entering "workplace harassment" in a search box (Google, Yahoo) and scanning what comes back -which is PLENTY.

Please keep us posted.

Answer 3

whatever option you choose, do NOT get stressed about this and let your boss affect your state of mind. You can walk today, let your boss know you won't tolerate this any longer or report her. Its affecting you because you don't like going into work. This is not good. If you do carry on, for a few months, you need to be able to go into work completely relaxed and whatever your boss says should not affect you one bit. You can ignore it for a while, untill you find a new job then tell her to _____ off (option 4) or you can tell her to go ____ herself right now. But, if you are unable to go to work while at the same time not being affected, then you should not hang around untill you find another job, you should quit right now. Unless you absolutely NEED the job. But it sounds like you don't. So if I were you, I would do something today. Remember, three options, 1.talk to your boss, 2. report her. 3. walk. Option 4 should not be taken unless you need the job that badly.

Answer 4

Never, and I mean never, burn bridges behind you. Stay civil with your boss and withhold your tongue when tempted to answer rudely. Also never, never leave a job unless you have another job to go to, confirmed. Start sending out resumes and looking seriously for other jobs while you continue to do the good job you are doing. Make sure you give, if at all possible, a two week notice when you leave, even if it is not required. Trust me; you are not the first or the last to have an anal boss to contend with. Do those things that are in YOUR best long range interest. I did, and you can too.

Answer 5

First of all, I know what your going through, been in a situation similiar for over 5 years. The only thing I can tell you is don't talk to anyone at the job about it-as I've been told that is grounds for termination. Secondly, you might wanna go to the unemployment office and find out what the rules are about collecting unemployment should you quit...In my state, if you feel your safety is on the line and can prove it you can quit and collect. I reported to them awhile ago a situation that happened so that will be in my file to protect me should I get let go for reasons other then those of fair and reasonable ones...Otherwise, if you quit you just about forfit your unemployment and w/out a financialy secure life and/or another job I do not recommend that-you might wanna think bout getting a part time job to save up for an emergency fund and/or reduce some of your bills/liability just in case...Last but least..Follow the rules and don't do as others do if not by the book, only do as you know is right-to get into bad habits won't help you in another job...hours are 8-4:30 you follow that responsibility. If lunch is 12-12:30...Don't take it later & don't come back later....Don't give them any reason while mad to get rid of you in a fit of personal rage...It's real hard and stressful living like this but if you can find your own happiness from within your alot better then getting involved w/all going on there other then Work. I personaly don't interact w/anyone anymore-lunch I take alone and I count on my friend online when I get a moment to check in w/them, to get me through the day...They give me the strenght to get through all I have to. I know they care bout me and that's a reminder that I'm better then they may say/think cus they're not the ones that realy know me best...My last bit of advise to you, is try to maintain the lowest cost of living possible cus should you have to leave due to fear for your safety, you don't want to feel the stress of a higher cost of living that will keep you there resenting it all the way...Good luck and if you ever need to talk look me up...I'm here for you. Gypsyrose
P.S...Rememeber the one that can't hold their temper isn't better then the one that can and a person like that isn't worth the argue/time or fight cus chances are they're not gonna listen to you anyone...You know the truth and that's all you need to know...If they can't control their temper to learn it, that's their loss, not yours...Eventualy they will learn and when they do, you may not get an appology but maybe see an attitude adjustment from them cus of it. Doesn't make them better people but shows they learned the truth.

Answer 6

If you just walk off the job, that reflects on you when you go to apply for another job. Think before acting and consider the repercussions first.

Have you documented things going on with her and talk with anyone above her or is she the top boss and owner of the company? Best start trying to locate another job first and then give your two week notice so your record stays clean.

If there are bosses above her, you need to go talk with them and have them talk with other employees for feedback so they can get a handle on it. Even then, you will probably have repercussions in some way.

Hope it all works out for you for the better

Answer 7

Unless she attacks you because of your race or sex, and you are not sexually compromised, i.e., sleep with me or else, then you have little recourse other then finding a better job and quitting. From the sound of your description she is treating everyone the same so you cannot claim that you are being singled out for persecution. They are not obligated to be nice to you, but you are not obligated to stay any longer then you wish. As long as you take the money you are obligated to do the work you were hired to do, and they are obligated to pay you the agreed upon amount. The only way that I can see you may have legal recourse is if you can prove that she is deliberately embarrassing you by redressing you publicly instead of privately.

Harassment
Harassment is a form of employment discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (ADA).

Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, and/or age. Harassment becomes unlawful where 1) enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment, or 2) the conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive. Anti-discrimination laws also prohibit harassment against individuals in retaliation for filing a discrimination charge, testifying, or participating in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or lawsuit under these laws; or opposing employment practices that they reasonably believe discriminate against individuals, in violation of these laws.

Petty slights, annoyances, and isolated incidents (unless extremely serious) will not rise to the level of illegality. To be unlawful, the conduct must create a work environment that would be intimidating, hostile, or offensive to reasonable people.

Offensive conduct may include, but is not limited to, offensive jokes, slurs, epithets or name calling, physical assaults or threats, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, offensive objects or pictures, and interference with work performance. Harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following:

The harasser can be the victim's supervisor, a supervisor in another area, an agent of the employer, a co-worker, or a non-employee.
The victim does not have to be the person harassed, but can be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.
Unlawful harassment may occur without economic injury to, or discharge of, the victim.
Prevention is the best tool to eliminate harassment in the workplace. Employers are encouraged to take appropriate steps to prevent and correct unlawful harassment. They should clearly communicate to employees that unwelcome harassing conduct will not be tolerated. They can do this by establishing an effective complaint or grievance process, providing anti-harassment training to their managers and employees, and taking immediate and appropriate action when an employee complains. Employers should strive to create an environment in which employees feel free to raise concerns and are confident that those concerns will be addressed.

Employees are encouraged to inform the harasser directly that the conduct is unwelcome and must stop. Employees should also report harassment to management at an early stage to prevent its escalation.

Answer 8

In response to some of the other answers, taping someone without their consent is generally inadmissable as evidence in court - sorry folks.

Harassment is illegal in public companies; most people think of "sexual harassment" when they hear that term, but it also pertains to bullying, threats, intimidation, racial slurs or epithets, and so on. A constant stream of invective such as you describe certainly sounds like it is creating a "hostile work environment."

You should indeed document what is going on - dates, times, who said what to whom, and so on. Documentation is everything when filing a claim. If you have e-mails or other proof of the boss's actions, so much the better. If there are several employees who feel as you do, you may want to bring them into the picture as well - there is strength in numbers.

HR should be your first stop if you have a site HR representative. You might also consider visiting www.eeoc.gov and/or www.dol.gov for more on discriminatory/harassing behavior and how to file a claim.

You quit now, and she wins - AND she'll just victimize the person who takes your place. Hang in there and collect evidence - nothing changes a bad manager like having to defend his or her actions in court.

Good luck.

Answer 9

Whatever you do, do not leave the job without any other prospects. The longer you are out of a job, the more likely you may have to include this one on a job app or resume.

My recommendation is to start looking for other employment now (see www.indeed.com) and find a supervisor or peer who can write you a good letter of reference, just in case you happen to need one from that place.

Taking verbal abuse from an employer is not part of your job description. It is stressful and very bad for your self-esteem and workplace morale.

Just note that when you begin to interview for other positions that you do not bash this employer, she may make it very hard for you if you do.

Answer 10

That is RIDICULOUS! No matter how stressed out someone is, it is NEVER ok to verbally abuse someone! Is there someone that you can go to who is above her, or does she own the place? I would contact someone (state board of her title, labor board, chamber of commerce, whoever is in charge) and report her behavior. I would have walked out of there the very first time she called me a name. Do not put up with it! Start looking for another job now. You do not deserve to be treated that way!