What remedies are there for a work situation involving a supervisor that is verbally abusive?
Asked by ldn_angel74
My husband is a supervisor at a local manufacturing facility. HIS supervisor has, on numerous occasions, been verbally abusive towards my husband and the other 3 supervisors at my husband's level during management meetings. The verbal abuse includes yelling, foul language, and threats of termination. None of the abuse is discrimination based towards any of the "protected" classes such as age, race, handicap, etc - nor is it of a sexual nature. So from what I have been told, there is no real legal grounds to stand on against this abusive manager - you can't take legal action against someone for just being a really bad manager and a total jerk. I have suggested to my husband that he file a complaint with the HR department, but he feels that it would be useless, as this particular manager is higher on the "organizational ladder" than the HR staff. Any thoughts or suggestions on how my husband should handle this? Please note that finding another job IS an option, but one that would cut my husband's income by about a third - with a family of six, this is something we can ill afford.

Best Answer:
Ya got to train your bosses. He's got to give it back like he gets it. His boss treats him like that because he has told him that it's alright to do so by not talking back. I work in construction and get sent to many different supers. People will say this one or that one is a real prick or whatever. I don't look for confrontation, but I don't put up with it, either. After I 'speak my mind', I watch them berate and badger other people, but generally leave me alone. I never threaten to quit or anything stupid like that. If I'm doing a job and they come and ask what's taking so long in a rude or threatening way, I tell them to get their tools and help, otherwise, it will be done when I'm finished. Just general smart-ass stuff. You have to be careful, though. You have to be prepared to get fired. "I was lookin' for a job when I found this one, and I can find another one just like it." It helps if you're skilled at what you do and are valued by the prick. Bullies usually back off when confronted. Forget HR.

dont put up with it report him or get hubby to get new job sure he will good luck
Answered by glasgow.guy

pray for him till you mean it.
Answered by john_killebrew

WOW, I've been in this situation before and it's not easy. You don't want to get fired, you certainly don't want to quit and then have to explain it to a future employer either. I'd suggest that he quietly - not on company time - start getting his feelers out there for a new job. Many times these kinds of people have done some good in the company and they just totally abuse their power because they know the company won't take action against them - the problem is - everyone they work with will eventually quit. I'd just quietly find another job and then submit my resignation.
Answered by lisaclara

Since you said the boss was abusive toward the other 3 sups at the job site, he might have an action under the National Labor Relations Act. If your husband's job is unionized, this might definitely be so, but even if its not, there still MAY be an action due to the collective nature of the abuse. Furthermore, it sounds like you're more upset about it than your husband. He should be outraged, and demand better treatment or a transfer/lateral into another position. If it's not bothering him that much, maybe you should drop it. As far as HR goes, he needs to check on his employers policy. Some employers have their OWN internal policies on workplace relations; policies may have been covered in courses like Civil Treatment for Employees (that is a popular one). If the company policy indicates a zero tolerance for this type of behavior, he should go to HR anyway. He can ask that they keep his information confidential if he thinks that the simple fact that HR brought it up to the boss would suffice. If it continues, then he would have to press the issue according to the internal policy. Finally, a good HR department realized the value of employee relationships, and the vast majority of companies have some type of policy prohibiting any type of verbal/physical mistreatment by one employee to another, REGARDLESS of any Title VII actions that may be available.
Answered by Girl360

Well, I was in the similar situatin at my current job. My boss, who transfered to another store (because of what i did) to let her know it wouldn't be tolerated. She used to make little comments about my husband & make fun of him because he's from another country. She also used to ask different employees about if I paid them for babysitting my child, if I was a good Mother, if my child was good etc. Things she had NO RIGHT TO KNOW. So, I started documenting EVERYTHING ANYONE SAID agains me. I am also a breastfeeding Mother, so there were plenty of things said about that as well. I documented EVERYTHING she said, and let it be known to one of the other management members I was doing this. Well, she transfered to another store. But, in your husband's case I would tell him to carry a pen & little notebook & do it RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIS BOSS as soon as he makes those comments whip out his notebook & right it down. Document for, say a month. Type it up, keep a copy for himself, then you present his Boss with a copy..& state it saying "Did I hear you correctly when you said this?" this puts it in the form of a question & NOT an Accusation. Then, you also let the boss know THIS IS THE COPY YOU SENT IN TO THE EEOC, & THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY. I suggest you attach a note stating "this is how MR. whoever treats his employees.
Answered by midniteluv2