kittensaver
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We cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love. - Mother Teresa
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Post by kittensaver on Oct 25, 2012 15:56:28 GMT -5
Wow. So sorry this is happening to you! Would a restraining order help you? If you told HR you didn't feel safe and asked for help in filing one, it might finally get rid of her?
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Oct 25, 2012 15:59:02 GMT -5
Forgive me if I have you confused with someone else.
Is this the same lady who left the tests unguarded and out where students had access?
If the lady is gone when you return I would share my fears with HR and ask what they recommend.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Oct 25, 2012 16:00:07 GMT -5
Is your home phone and home address listed on-line? You might want to see how long it takes to get de-listed.
If you have the time/resources, you might want to plan a quick road trip for a weekend getaway.
Other than that, I would talk to HR and see if you should be worried, make sure someone walks out to your car at the same time, etc. If she harms you on company property - they are up shit creek!
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 25, 2012 16:01:04 GMT -5
holy crap! I have no suggestions, but just wanted to offer a
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Oct 25, 2012 16:02:40 GMT -5
If you think she might know where you live, you should make arrangements to stay elsewhere for a few days- either with friends/family or at a hotel for which your job should pick up the tab. If she doesn't know where you live, company security should keep her from finding and harassing you at work, and I would suggest carpooling or having someone walk you to your car every evening, wait for someone to be coming your way to walk in in the morning.
Most people don't come that unhinged, but I did have a friend who, when she had her own company, had this kind of concern about someone and those are the steps they took.
Change company security to read: Campus security (I'd forgotten you worked for a university)
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rileyoday
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Post by rileyoday on Oct 25, 2012 16:03:43 GMT -5
Insist they fire her now or you have to see a lawyer. You have clearly been violated Twice in one day. I hope the best outcome for you.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Oct 25, 2012 16:04:44 GMT -5
Well - if she gets fired, the only thing she can do to you would be a physical attack. For their own liability, the company is going to make sure that doesn't happen on their property.
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Oct 25, 2012 16:05:38 GMT -5
Wrongside, I know that your workplace probably documented everything, but you should as well. The date, times, what was said, what she did, what you said and did, etc. You may indeed need to get a restraining order at some point; a temporary restraining order does not need a police report in many jurisdictions, but an order that extends long term might. It depends on where you live. You need to check with your local police department or courthouse. The process of asking for and obtaining the order can often be done on the same day, but can take a few hours, depending on where you live.
Meanwhile, keep an eye on yourself and your surroundings. Change where you park, your route to work if you can. Don't put yourself in situations where you could be harmed. I'm not trying to scare you into living in a closet in your house. Just take some precautions. I had someone go off on me like that at work too, and I was physically attacked. Fortunately, I was faster than my attacker, and dodged the damage.
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milee
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Post by milee on Oct 25, 2012 16:15:00 GMT -5
Of course you shouldn't have to fear for your safety. That goes without saying. If there really truly is a physical threat, you will need to do what you need to do to be safe.
That being said, tread lightly on how you react to this. Right now, it sounds like HR is aware she's the problem and is figuring out how to deal with it. If you rush off to get a restraining order or go in to demand she be fired, they may start to perceive you as part of the problem rather than just a victim. Just be very careful what you do and that it doesn't splatter you with the mud as well.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Oct 25, 2012 16:15:34 GMT -5
As much as I don't want you physically attacked - this may be worse. If you two still have to work near each other, or you still have to work for her, she can work on you all day, every day. She can stab you in the back, and destroy your work. If she is patient, she could make your life so miserable - you'll wish all she had done was punch you in the face. There are no laws saying she has to be nice to you - so there isn't too much you can do.
I agree with nancy - go find a blank notebook or pad of paper and start writing down everything you recall, plus any future interactions you have with her.
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rileyoday
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Post by rileyoday on Oct 25, 2012 16:20:11 GMT -5
What you described would not be tolerated anywhere I have worked. Stand up for your right to a non hostile work environment. Its the Law.
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milee
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Post by milee on Oct 25, 2012 16:22:29 GMT -5
Please give a reference to the Law that states a coworker cannot yell or be mean to you.
(Not in any way excusing this behaviour, just pointing out that one incident of yelling isn't going to move the legal meter... let's tone down the drama.)
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hoops902
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Post by hoops902 on Oct 25, 2012 16:24:32 GMT -5
Please give a reference to the Law that states a coworker cannot yell or be mean to you. (Not in any way excusing this behaviour, just pointing out that one incident of yelling isn't going to move the legal meter... let's tone down the drama.) I would assume that slamming her hand down on her desk and throwing something might be considered assault.
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Oct 25, 2012 16:27:54 GMT -5
There was more than just yelling involved in this; the OP mentions the throwing of an object or objects, though the items and directions were not specified. That's a form of escalation and it's certainly not good, whether the object hits anyone or anything or not. This is an indication of someone not in control of themselves. At best, the business looks bad to outsiders. At worst, you could be talking about possible injury or damage. Wrongside has reason to be concerned and should look into every possible solution, from the possibility of the restraining order to asking for a transfer to another job to finding another job.
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milee
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Post by milee on Oct 25, 2012 16:28:22 GMT -5
Please give a reference to the Law that states a coworker cannot yell or be mean to you. (Not in any way excusing this behaviour, just pointing out that one incident of yelling isn't going to move the legal meter... let's tone down the drama.) I would assume that slamming her hand down on her desk and throwing something might be considered assault. If the hand was slammed onto the coworker or the item was thrown at the coworker, I'd agree. But in this case, it just sounds like a temper tantrum. Terribly unprofessional and I'd fire her, but not a legal issue. If this behaviour happened repeatedly to OP over a period of time, the pattern might constitute harrassment. But a single incident? No. Again, it's wrong and coworker should be fired, but let's tone down the drama. It won't help OP.
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hoops902
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Post by hoops902 on Oct 25, 2012 16:30:56 GMT -5
::If the hand was slammed onto the coworker::
I believe that would be battery.
a legal definition of assault: an intentional act by one person that creates an apprehension in another of an imminent harmful or offensive contact.
I would say that fits, but I'm also no lawyer.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2012 16:32:01 GMT -5
I don't understand why they sent you home. Shouldn't they have sent her home or had her in the office or something?
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milee
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Post by milee on Oct 25, 2012 16:33:42 GMT -5
::If the hand was slammed onto the coworker:: I believe that would be battery. a legal definition of assault: an intentional act by one person that creates an apprehension in another of an imminent harmful or offensive contact. I would say that fits, but I'm also no lawyer. Well, I'm not a lawyer either, but I'd probably call you a drama queen if you called this assault. Once again, coworker was wrong and this organization would be crazy to keep her around, but this is not a near death experience nor does it rise to the level of needing to involve law enforcement unless there's a lot more to the story. OP has much to gain and little to lose by avoiding melodrama here.
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kittensaver
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We cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love. - Mother Teresa
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Post by kittensaver on Oct 25, 2012 16:36:04 GMT -5
Well the way I read this, OP got sent home for own safety . . . not as some kind of punishment for her . . .
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2012 16:36:40 GMT -5
::If the hand was slammed onto the coworker:: I believe that would be battery. a legal definition of assault: an intentional act by one person that creates an apprehension in another of an imminent harmful or offensive contact. I would say that fits, but I'm also no lawyer. Well, I'm not a lawyer either, but I'd probably call you a drama queen if you called this assault. Once again, coworker was wrong and this organization would be crazy to keep her around, but this is not a near death experience nor does it rise to the level of needing to involve law enforcement unless there's a lot more to the story. OP has much to gain and little to lose by not avoiding melodrama here. In Ontario the company has now become libel for crazy ladies behaviour. It is considered harrasment and it is highly illegal. It is covered in Bill 168 which got passed last year.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Oct 25, 2012 16:38:58 GMT -5
Wrongside, I know that your workplace probably documented everything, but you should as well. The date, times, what was said, what she did, what you said and did, etc. You may indeed need to get a restraining order at some point; a temporary restraining order does not need a police report in many jurisdictions, but an order that extends long term might. It depends on where you live. You need to check with your local police department or courthouse. The process of asking for and obtaining the order can often be done on the same day, but can take a few hours, depending on where you live. Meanwhile, keep an eye on yourself and your surroundings. Change where you park, your route to work if you can. Don't put yourself in situations where you could be harmed. I'm not trying to scare you into living in a closet in your house. Just take some precautions. I had someone go off on me like that at work too, and I was physically attacked. Fortunately, I was faster than my attacker, and dodged the damage. And HR and your place of employment in general should take extra precautions with her. She really does sound like a nut who might come back and try to "take out" the person who fires her (and she SHOULD definitely be fired).
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hoops902
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Post by hoops902 on Oct 25, 2012 16:39:01 GMT -5
::Well, I'm not a lawyer either, but I'd probably call you a drama queen if you called this assault.::
You just asked for a reference to the law. I didn't say I'd call that assault at a personal judgement:)
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milee
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Post by milee on Oct 25, 2012 16:40:03 GMT -5
Well, I'm not a lawyer either, but I'd probably call you a drama queen if you called this assault. Once again, coworker was wrong and this organization would be crazy to keep her around, but this is not a near death experience nor does it rise to the level of needing to involve law enforcement unless there's a lot more to the story. OP has much to gain and little to lose by not avoiding melodrama here. In Ontario the company has now become libel for crazy ladies behaviour. It is considered harrasment and it is highly illegal. It is covered in Bill 168 which got passed last year. Yes, but you're Canadian socialists with all sorts of liberal ideas. There are some areas in the US with harrassment laws, but in most cases the harrassment has to be a pattern, not a one time tantrum. This wouldn't fit into harrassment if this is the only incident. Again, being mean isn't a crime. A tantrum isn't a crime. It's bad business and she should be fired, but this is not a crime. (And I think you probably mean "liable" not "libel", but maybe it's a Canadian thing?)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2012 16:40:07 GMT -5
Well the way I read this, OP got sent home for own safety . . . not as some kind of punishment for her . . . That seems to be how the OP is taking it but I'm not so sure. After reporting the first incident crazy lady was able to come back and go at her again. Crazy lady has a long history of bad behaviour is still there. This doesn't look good to me.
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hoops902
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Post by hoops902 on Oct 25, 2012 16:40:18 GMT -5
Well the way I read this, OP got sent home for own safety . . . not as some kind of punishment for her . . . That's how I read it too. Like "this lady is crazy, you shouldn't be subjected to that, go ahead and go home with pay, you don't need to be here and under stress from this"
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Peace Of Mind
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[font color="#8f2520"]~ Drinks Well With Others ~[/font]
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Oct 25, 2012 16:40:32 GMT -5
Wow!! That is one nut job you've been subjected to. Hopefully HR will let her know it was your supervisor that reported her and not you and, if she does get fired, she won't even think of you in her rage. I'm sorry you are going through this. You may want to send a formal letter to the HR asking if you should be concerned since she has your personal information. That's so you have documentation and to know if you need to get the police involved. Or ask your boss. If he thinks you should be concerned I'd make an official report of the incident since employees have been known to come back and hurt/kill people. Years ago I had to fire somebody who was a bit off and that's what I did. I also made sure she heard about it to let her know she was on record. My boss was 6'4" and was too chicken to fire her so he had me do it. Is she a diabetic? Not to say people that are diabetic are nuts but I did work for a guy who didn't watch his sugar or eat what he was supposed to and he went off on somebody pretty often. He even took a nutty in the hall of our building yelling at one of my co-workers so bad everybody was sticking their heads out of their office it was so loud. There was nobody to report him to because he was the head guy (which was why he needed to have his own business). And he was an attorney and a financial adviser and he knew the laws and the only option was to quit. Which many before us did. But if the lady you were subjected to has a medical issue like that I wouldn't worry about it.
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milee
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Post by milee on Oct 25, 2012 16:40:51 GMT -5
::Well, I'm not a lawyer either, but I'd probably call you a drama queen if you called this assault.:: You just asked for a reference to the law. I didn't say I'd call that assault at a personal judgement:) True. I'll stop calling you a drama queen, then.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2012 16:41:04 GMT -5
"I don't think she can get fired that easily because she is tenure."
I think tenure means jack $hit in a situation like this. I totally understand your concern about retaliation. you can file a restraining order but that is just a piece of paper and that is not going to save you if she wants to harm you. I think in her case, she may try to retaliate even if she wasn't fired because it is obvious that there will be some consequence. She has no right to intimidate you like that.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2012 16:41:30 GMT -5
milee according to the OP there is a pattern, this is just the latest incident. And you are probably right about the liable thing.
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hoops902
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Post by hoops902 on Oct 25, 2012 16:41:53 GMT -5
Well the way I read this, OP got sent home for own safety . . . not as some kind of punishment for her . . . That seems to be how the OP is taking it but I'm not so sure. After reporting the first incident crazy lady was able to come back and go at her again. Crazy lady has a long history of bad behaviour is still there. This doesn't look good to me. I'm not sure how you get to the OP taking it as her being punished. She specifically said she thinks the crazy lady is going to get into big trouble for this and that they've been watching her and documenting her behavior. None of that rings as "we're punishing you by sending you home and she won't be disciplined" to me.
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