How hostile does your work need to become?

[TatuICU]

Damn this thread got heavy in a hurry, I though this was supposed be jokeyish thread to :censored::censored::censored::censored::censored: about our bosses!

 

[DrParasite]

Time and time and time again, on this forum (and in real life) I have heard people complaining about being bullied, insulted, ordered around and otherwise screwed around with by people the complainant feels can do it, but then states the irritant is either NOT in a position to do so, or is abusing such a position (be it official, or informal such as a boss's girlfriend).

as someone who currently joined an organization less than 2 months ago, is currently being bullied, insulted, ordered around by a 43 year veteran and founder of the organization, I can say it does happen, and not just to kids who have no life experience and are expecting everything to be handed to them.

1. Are folks not being taught about what to do in the workplace about this sort of stuff?

all too often, the type of behavior is accepted, because "that's just how this person is," even by senior management, or the culture of the organization is to allow this type of this (the director is abusive to the coordinator, who is abusive to the supervisors, who are abusive to the staff, and when someone says something, well, that's just the way we do things here).

2. Any genuine stories about when you reacted to such treatment, and what happened?

I will let you know tomorrow night, after my complaint is heard. Either it will be resolved to my satisfaction, or I'm quitting. I will let you know.

3. Any folks here with legal background (calling EMSLAW...) with more to say about this?

My take on this from experience is that often the abuser is not actually in a position to hurt you, or the potential for abuse is so endemic that the answer is to leave them to paddle in their own foetid little backwater. Also, note that unity against such abuse can be the start to something bigger...

It isn't always that the abuser can hurt you, but rather how no one (including management or supervisors) are willing to stand up to the abuser and tell them the behavior they are exhibiting is unacceptable.

For me, I am not sure why I am the subject of my abusers attention. I have a few theories: I am educated (went to college, graduated and got my 4 year degree), am young (less than 30), am trained (have completed EMS related classes beyond the basic EMT course), am experienced (been doing this for 14 years, as both a paid and volunteer provider), am eager to do my job (and not waste 5 minutes lollygagging to get on the ambulance and answer a call) or the fact that I know what I'm doing, know that the way they operate is grossly outdated, and have been actively working on bringing the organization into the 21st century. it has gotten to the point where he has told others that he won't step foot on the ambulance with me because "I don't ride with doctors."

And now I am filing a formal complaint against this person, with the appropriate people. only time will tell if it is handled appropriately, or swept under the rug as "business as usual."

 

[mycrofft]

Standing strong there!
As for me, once the offender gave up and said "I'm out of there", I'd have declared quiet victory. But I'm a pragmatic wimp.
We have more than one forum participant who relates being singled out due to trying to upgrade things.