Post #1,072
7/7/01 7:10:51 PM
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Interesting Situation
Well, I'm an interesting situation at work...
Last Tuesday my boss mentioned to a co-worker that he was going to bring a gun in and "start shooting" one day. This isn't the first time he's "joked" about this exact same thing, and this time he hadn't slept in 2-3 days, and had been taking his wife's Prozac. He was very edgy, blood-shot eyes, and all that. Scary stuff.
Obviously, we were all very concerned about this.
We talked to one of his peers, asking what we should do, who we should talk to, and we took it to his boss, a VP level guy. In turn, he quickly took it to HR.
HR then sent everyone home that day, and called us each at home that afternoon to interview us regarding the accusation. We each gave our story, and went on.
Wednesday was a holiday, and come Thursday HR had called in my boss to talk with him. As expected, he was flabbergasted that anyone would take that serious, blah blah blah, but did end up saying something inappropriate (what is is, I'm not sure; HR Director did surrender that bit of info afterwards), per the usual. HR then told him to take the rest of the week off, and they'll be making a decision on Monday.
Talking with his boss (aforementioned VP), he wasn't real convinced that HR was going to let this guy go. With that, I just let him know that I couldn't work in that environment, in that case, not only having to worry about my deadlines, etc.. but also have to eye my boss every time he reaches into his backpack. He understood, but didn't give much else.
So, at this point, I'm stuck in a very bad position. Come Monday we'll see what the final decision is, in both mine and HR's regards. But, I just wanted to see what everyone else's thoughts are.
Thanks,
-Jason
----
My pid is Inigo Montoya. You "killed -9" my parent process. Prepare to vi.
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Post #1,073
7/7/01 7:27:58 PM
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*Scary* situation. Get help!
We've all read stories about unbalanced people coming to work, or their former work place, and doing very violent things. Sometimes weeks or months after being fired.
It seems to me that this situation is potentially far too dangerous to just hope it'll wear off. Especially if he's made threats in the past.
Does he have any guns, or easy access to them? Even if not, that's little comfort because they're not that difficult to get.
It seems to me that your company has to get someone who's expert (at least as expert as someone can be in predicting future behavior) in this stuff involved quickly. Someone needs to have him evaluated by an expert and see whether he's really just joking around. (Though anyone who could joke about such a subject these days, on multiple occasions, at work, with potential victims at hand, seems to me to well worth keeping a very close eye on.)
Get some help somehow. This is serious. Maybe even for himself and the rest of his family as well. Don't put it off.
I'm no expert, but I've been around violent people. You need to get help.
Cheers,
Scott.
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Post #1,075
7/7/01 10:30:34 PM
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Be very careful
Discount/Department stores sell both black trenchcoats and shotguns, I think they should give that guy a mental examination to make sure that he isn't the type that will come back to the workplace with both of them. If he is, he needs serious help and possible hospitalzation in a mental ward.
| "I can see if I want anything done right around here, I'll have to do it myself!" | Moe Howard |
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Post #1,110
7/8/01 5:52:48 PM
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If they take no sane action
IANAL - it would seem that you would be justified in remaining off-premises until they do. Wouldn't hurt to have company, of course.
Believe you'd win any small-claims or higher court ruling re salary, if company tried to withhold that.
Postal has become part of the Brave New Murica and its products - if this guy isn't postal he's bloody well parcel-post.
(You might want to have *your own* transcripts too - from those willing to sign a note saying - what they had also said to management. A future attorney would need that for corroboration that you aren't a nervous nellie - in Murica, when the facts are against you:
Attack the credibility of the victim. Worked in rape for eons; still does in neanderthal courtrooms today.
Ashton
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Post #1,111
7/8/01 6:00:46 PM
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Agreement.
Alternatively, now might be a good time to put in a fortnight's leave, with the caveat that you expect some kind of resolution to have been reached by the time of your return.
If you really feel that a cow-orker is a threat to your ability to indulge in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, then you must voice that. In writing. Not email, not phone.
And, (I know you will anyway but wth) keep it *measured*. Don't want *your* sanity in the balance, too :)
--
Peter
Shill For Hire
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Post #1,253
7/10/01 12:09:17 AM
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I would say....
Its possible HR might ought to be offering counselling and help. Maybe firing isn't the right thing, (in fact, done wrong, it can be a VERY wrong thing... sounds like he's not realising what his actions are doing/that its HIS actions, etc) but he certainly needs to be removed from the stress and the potential danger.
Why is the boss on this much edge? Is it the job? Home life? I think it matters, because if its the job, I think it would be standup for help to come from the company. (rather than shifting the problem to someone else).
But if you feel worried, then you should likely listen to that, people are pretty good at reading other people - but they don't listen to their gut.
So, at this point, I'm stuck in a very bad position.
I don't see that. I dont' see *you* as in a bad situation. You're being sensible, and just wait and see what happens. I don't see you right now as being in a bad situation.
Addison
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Post #1,272
7/10/01 8:45:38 AM
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just in case
check out the cost of a kelvar vest or see if you can rent one. Wear it to work if he shows back up. This will make others very aware of your feelings. This guy should be given counciling or treatment, not fired. Taking other peoples meds wont help since it takes a long time for the prozac to kick in.
thanx,
bill
can I have my ones and zeros back?
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Post #1,275
7/10/01 9:22:26 AM
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Update:
Well, there's really no update.
HR was supposed to have made a decision yesterday. But, apparently my boss called HR on Friday (on his leave) and said, "I know you guys are trying to fire me. I'll make you a deal: give me a severance package and I'll leave and won't sue you.".
So, this gives you a little more insight into what a whack-o this guy is. For some reason he thinks he has a case? Texas is an at-will state; does that not mean that my employer could let him go for no reason whatsoever, without any liability? Does anyone know the details of at-will?
So, needless to say, no decision was made yesterday. The Director of HR has now taken it to the Senior VP of HR for a decision. Obviously, they don't know what to do, either.
Fun, fun.
-Jason
----
My pid is Inigo Montoya. You "killed -9" my parent process. Prepare to vi.
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Post #1,287
7/10/01 10:24:52 AM
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Re: Update:
For some reason he thinks he has a case? Texas is an at-will state; does that not mean that my employer could let him go for no reason whatsoever, without any liability? Does anyone know the details of at-will?
No. (that's not what that means). Even though you're at-will, there are legal obligations and restrictions. For example, do you think that all the women could be summarially fired one day?
I don't know what case he thinks he has. I'd say he doesn't have one (from what I know now) - but paying him off might be cheaper (and safer) than fighting with him. He obviously feels slighted.
If he was fired for "slanderous" accusations, that infringed on his ability to get another job, he would have a case. Proving it in court would be another issue, but he'd certainly not get laughed out of court with the case.
Sure, its blackmail of a sort, but that's not that unusual.... I'd say pay the guy and not give him any reason to be upset, and be glad to be rid of him.
(But I bet somebody will rather spend $500k of the companies money, (or more), with decreased productivity (you're certainly not working your best, are you?), legal fees, and whatnot, to save $50k).
The Director of HR has now taken it to the Senior VP of HR for a decision. Obviously, they don't know what to do, either.
*That* would worry me.
Addison
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Post #1,306
7/10/01 12:09:40 PM
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Re: Update:
Well, actually, I believe I was right on the at-will thing:
[link|http://www.prairielaw.com/articles/article.asp?articleid=1408|http://www.prairiel...ticleid=1408]
"At will" employees occupy the lowest rung of the management-labor relations ladder. In nearly all states, they have few rights in the workplace. Management can reassign, demote, discipline and even discharge at will employees on a whim with little legal recourse. These prerogatives can be exercised "for any reason or no reason at all," as the saying goes. So decisions involving at will employees can be unreasonable, and even arbitrary, without violating the law.
That particular lawyer goes on to say that it's not right, and that it shouldn't be this way, blah blah blah, mentions that there's legislation passed that no one adopted, and then basically says, "Too bad.".
-Jason
----
My pid is Inigo Montoya. You "killed -9" my parent process. Prepare to vi.
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Post #1,318
7/10/01 12:58:55 PM
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However....
...it is cheaper to grant this guy a standard package than to defend even a frivolous lawsuit.
So the moron will probably get one just for the threat...which is probably what at least one person had told this guy to do.
In the end..he ends up gone...which should be your primary concern.
Um...er...well...
I have no choice!
[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]
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Post #1,611
7/12/01 4:49:52 PM
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Update: Wow.
So, the day before yesterday my boss' boss called and told me that I needed to make a decision of whether I'm going back to work or not.
And, due to lack of financial buffer, I went back yesterday.
Things were very tense. I share the end of my boss' desk and he said only one word to me, "Good morning". Everything else was through e-mail.
Today my boss' boss walked over and asked if he had a moment. They went to a conference room for a few seconds, my boss came back, packed up his stuff and was escorted out.
My (now ex-)boss' boss came back through afterwards and said, "Well, you have your own desk now.", and grinned.
Things have been taken care of. Security has been stepped up for the next few weeks. All is much better.
But, wow, what a crazy day and last week or two.
-Jason
----
My pid is Inigo Montoya. You "killed -9" my parent process. Prepare to vi.
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Post #1,612
7/12/01 5:03:52 PM
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Excellent!
Glad it all worked out. Pretty scary situation, for sure.
And, as you said, you have your own desk now. ;-)
Regards,
-scott anderson
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Post #1,620
7/12/01 5:37:16 PM
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Umm this be end of Phase 1, no?
As in - even paranoids have enemies.
Nice that he left y'all with a wry comment. Let's hope that's also his er normal style (?)
But stepped-up security is surely in order. Trouble ever is: how long is long enough? It might be nice for someone there to sorta check.. on his progress in finding another gig where, hopefully.. he will act from lesson learned and not.. just fester.
Sorry - but that's how it looks from the outside.
Ashton
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Post #1,629
7/12/01 6:43:44 PM
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Agreed.
Oh, agreed.
That comment was actually from *his* boss.
But, the sad part is that just beforehand he had actually started speaking to me again, and he basically explained that he had a dry sense of humor, and that noone really understood him. No apologies, of course. And, then we were interrupted by his boss when he asked to talk to him for a few minutes.
The funniest part (yes, I'm sick) is that the big, big boss walked over about an hour later and made a really bad joke of, "Hey, where's [your boss]?" and just chuckled and said, "Yes, I'm going to burn in hell for that one."
I was freaking rolling to hear that come from a Senior VP. It was awesome.
-Jason
----
My pid is Inigo Montoya. You "killed -9" my parent process. Prepare to vi.
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Post #1,635
7/12/01 7:29:03 PM
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Too bad...
... he didn't comment that he needed his TPS report, and didn't your boss see the, ummmmmmm, memo?
Regards,
-scott anderson
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Post #2,008
7/17/01 2:09:13 AM
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Re: Agreed.
There is dry humor, and there is black-as-night on the darkside of Pluto humor.
Holy bejezus. I hope I never have to deal with that kind of thing. I've been involved in instances where people have been escorted off the property and that is always at *least* uncomfortable even without prior (COUGH) dry humor about firearms.
dry humor my ass. Take care in future days, please.
French Zombies are zapping me with lasers!
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