Don’t accept physical ‘playing around’ in workplace

from The Dallas Morning News

Question: I work for a boss who is both verbally and physically abusive.

Although he hasn’t touched me, I have seen him snap other female employees with rubber bands, leaving a bruise. He likes to punch the male employees and hit them in the head. He says he’s just “playing around.”

This is a small company, and the owner is the only other manager. She and my boss are very close, and she relies on him a lot. However, she has no idea about his abusive behavior.

I have started documenting his actions, but I don’t know how to tell the owner. I love my work, but this manager is creating a lot of stress.

Fearful Employee

Answer: Your sadistic boss is not only an employee relations nightmare, but also a huge legal liability. He could be a threat to the business in many ways, so the owner needs to know.

You and your besieged co-workers should meet with her as a group. If she hears the same story from many people, she is more likely to take it seriously.

Give the owner a detailed, factual description of the manager’s inappropriate conduct. Then specifically request that she direct him to immediately cease all physical contact with employees.

In addition, you and your colleagues must stop tolerating this abuse. The next time your boss touches anyone, he should be informed that legally this could be considered battery and that if he doesn’t stop, charges may be filed against him.

If the owner takes no action to end the harassment, start looking for another job. Don’t stay in a company where physical violence is acceptable.