Results 1 to 3 of 3
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    19

    Default Bullying and Harassment at Work

    State is TN

    I have a co-worker who used to be my boss that is constantly harassing/bullying me. He was my direct supervisor 2 years ago and came back to the same company in a different department completely. We have the same supervisor and the situation is one of a landlord (me) and tenant (him). He is constantly demanding I do this or do that when it is not my responsibility or not a service we offer. He is constantly complaining to my boss that I am not doing my job, have a bad attitude, and am completely unhelpful. Only the complaints are due to him not getting specialized and entitled treatment that is not offered to any other tenants. He believes he shouldn't follow the same procedures as other tenants when it comes to paying rent, booking meeting rooms, parking regulations, etc. Just plain petty stuff. He's even filed a complaint against me for not helping him set up a wireless router in his office which is 100% against company policy.
    It came to a point last week where he called me a despicable human being and a hateful *itch right in front of my supervisor. All because another tenant booked a meeting room before he did. He accused me of lying about the other booking and said I should be fired for insubordination. The room bookings are date and time stamped by a server so his accusations were quickly disproved yet nothing was said to him about accusing me of lying. He'll turn in a complaint that his office is too hot, then turn around 30 minutes later and complain that it's cold, then 30 minutes later complain that it's hot. Then he goes to our supervisor claiming that I'm messing with his office temperature deliberately. Only I have absolutely no controll over it whatsoever. It is all handled/computer controlled by maintenance staff off-location. All I do is turn in a web-based work order that lists the room # and complaint. He knows this is how the system works, our supervisor knows it, yet he is allowed to keep making false accusations about my actions and job performance. He parked on the grass one day when there is a sign posted that says no parking. The landscaping crew asked me to have the car moved so they could mow. When I asked the co-orker to move his vehicle, his response was "make me" then went and complained to our supervisor that I was harassing him.
    I really do consider his constant rant and raves harassment and bullying. Is there any recourse for me to take against his behavior? Since we have the same supervisor who just wants everyone to get along, he refuses to handle the situation other than to tell my co-worker "don't do it again". Every time the co-worker complains, our supervisor tells him what he's demanding isn't correct procedure or against our policies or whatever. But the harassment continues. Our supervisor even admits that the co-worker can't accept the fact that I don't work for him and that he crosses the line, only he won't do anything to stop it.
    Since it isn't sexual harassment and he hasn't been physically voilent, what recourse do I have? My supervisor told me it isn't against the law to be a jerk. Is there really nothing I can do? Our company has a grievance procedure but my boss has to sign off on it that it requires action from HR. He doesn't want to do this because he said it would reflect badly on him and I have no complaint that would be considered harassment or bullying anyway.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: Bullying and Harassment at Work

    Unless the basis for his behavior is your race, religion, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law, then it is not ILLEGAL harassment and we're back to "it's not illegal to be a jerk".

    Personally, if he couldn't straighten up I'd fire his behind, but the employer is not obligated to do so. Bad management is not illegal either.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Lake Chapala
    Posts
    3,043

    Default Re: Bullying and Harassment at Work

    Unless what you're experiencing is directly and sepcifically because of one or more things like your race, gender, religion, age (only if you're over 40), or disability, your employer is not legally required to stop your coworker's behaviour.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Harassment: When Does Bullying and Belittling Become Harassment
    By bennifer in forum Employment and Labor
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-21-2010, 11:01 PM
  2. Harassment by my Ex at Work
    By ogorkizkopremx in forum Employment and Labor
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-11-2010, 03:23 AM
  3. Harassment: How to Stop Work Place Rudeness and Bullying
    By grecord in forum Employment and Labor
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-16-2010, 12:03 AM
  4. Harassment: Harassment at Work
    By 72beep in forum Employment and Labor
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 08-22-2009, 05:21 PM
  5. Slander: Fradulent Reports, Slander, Harassment, Cyber Bullying
    By Breann in forum Defamation, Slander And Libel
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 12-19-2008, 10:29 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources