A letter. Wk plce Hars'm'nt.

[rgum]

Any stories about work place harrasement?

Every day I'm getting harrased. And I love making beautiful kitchens.
But I don't like the apprentice being taught by the floor mangr that it's ok to disrespect an adult twice his age. :~

Just like to know of anyones daily trials and what they may have done to prevent it?

Just wanna be left alone to get on with my work. Gawwwddd if I could set myself up with a Hammer combo. After you read their catalouge you start to think of how your credit card is going :o

One off creations :;

I dont give a stuff about little Jhonny and his dinner invite list.
That's why I now mention it ha he. :harhar:

Cheers all.

[Rossluck]

Any stories about work place harrasement?

Every day I'm getting harrased. And I love making beautiful kitchens.
But I don't like the apprentice being taught by the floor mangr that it's ok to disrespect an adult twice his age. :~

Just like to know of anyones daily trials and what they may have done to prevent it?

Just wanna be left alone to get on with my work. Gawwwddd if I could set myself up with a Hammer combo. After you read their catalouge you start to think of how your credit card is going :o

One off creations :;

I dont give a stuff about little Jhonny and his dinner invite list.
That's why I now mention it ha he. :harhar:

Cheers all.


Sorry? :? :? :? :? :?

[echnidna]

speak to the manager,
if that don't fix it you only have 2 choices
start a war
or find another job

[Lignum]

Speak to the apprentice "after work":wink:

[rgum]

Lignum.....Can't hurt the boy. Not his fault. Immpresionable....you know what I mean. :C
A foot up the ???? always works I reckon. Just have to give my boss one too.

Anyone had recent or some kind of EXP...Well????????

Cheers :2tsup:

[Lignum]

Heavens forbid im not saying to go belt him:no: Just have a word and put him in his place.

[Iain]

Heavens forbid im not saying to go belt him:no: Just have a word and put him in his place.

And what 'word' would you suggest:rolleyes:

[echnidna]

Maybe the kid just don't know he is being offensive.
Or is the manager really the problem for inciting the kid

[journeyman Mick]

I told myself when I was still at school that I never wanted to be in a position where I was stuck in a job that I didn't enjoy. I've managed to stay true to that for most of my life, even during difficult circustances. Life is too short to spend almost a third of it not enjoying it. As far as I can see there's only two possible choices:
1. Leave
2. Fix the problem

2 might consist of talking to the apprentice, along ther lines of,"if you would like me to help you realise your potential as a tradesman then I expect certain behaviour" it might also consit of talking to the sales manager or even the general manager and explaining that the apprentice's behaviour and the sales manager's condoning of it is having an adverse affect on you and therefore, ultimately on the company bottom line.

Mick

[rgum]

It's not the apprentice who is the main prob but I'm offended that he learns that it's ok to be the monkey ( see and do).

I've had thinners squirted in my eye and been spat on , both most recently and often, by a boss ( part owner ) who I get on with reasonably well. I am the target of their ( 3 of them ) attention daily. Bloody sick of it. I've asked for nearly 3 yrs for it to stop.

Gee,..... where's my sense of humour?

Why should I leave? I will for a price. HELL..... I mean that too!

Sooooo......anyone had some crappy experiences at work? Ongoing?

I'm happy to be the target of some occaisional humour. Spread it around too! Not just me. Gawwwwwd. :~

Any good lawyers in Ubeaut? ha he. :o

Appreciate all comments thus far. Thanks

Cheers :2tsup:

[echnidna]

you have let it go on too long, it won't stop.

[ozwinner]

Either get in touch with one of these groups (http://www.business.gov.au/Business+Entry+Point/Business+Topics/Employing+people/Complaints+disputes+employee+relations/Harassment+bullying+in+your+state+or+territory.htm), beat the crap out of them, or leave.

Either way you have lost the job.

Getting in touch with the authorities will probably get you some compensation as the bulling has been ongoing for 3 years.

Beating the crap out of them will prolly get you jailed, but will feel good.
If you are going down the bashing route, pick the biggest ugliest meanest looking one to do it to, and watch the others flee for their lives. :2tsup:

Al :)

[ernknot]

That's one bridge you really want to burn. Get another job or go on a holiday and get your sanity back.

[ozwinner]

Sooooo......anyone had some crappy experiences at work? Ongoing?



I worked in a factory some years ago, I was there for a cupla years and used to ride a bicycle home at lunch time.

Anyway, one day one of the blokes I worked with decided it was fun to slowly run me off the road in his car.
I asked him to stop it but he thought it was funny.

This happened for a week, next week he starts doing it again, so I got off the bike and kicked the kcuf out of the 2 door panels on the passenger side.

And ya know what, he stopped doing it,:doh: cost him a packet to get the panels fixed too.

He threatened he was going to tell the cops so I said fine, Ill come with you.
He didnt, and he never did it again. :U

Al :U

[fred.n]

Speak to the apprentice "after work":wink:

An old bit of "councelling" behind the shed should set him straight.

[fred.n]

Sorry rgum for my last post, I jumped in early
As Oz says deck the biggest one, I think along the same lines as Echnidna
it's been going on to long and your the "easy" target. change jobs brother, work should be fun
All the best Bro

[felixe]

I've had thinners squirted in my eye

:(( And the next time this or a similar incident happens, leave work, citing injury and see a doctor for treatment. Ensure the doctor is aware of how this situation arose, this will be recorded in a OH&S document to be submitted to workcover.
As soon as "your" Workcover (or equivalent) Gvt Dept receives this documentation they will be on your employers doorstep - and then the sh*t hits the fan for them!:2tsup:

:no: You really need to leave.:o

[Lignum]

Instead of all this namby pamby stuff, why dont you just giving him crap and start messing with his tools and head.

Bullies, even apprentice bullies hate being challenged. Start by filling his lunch box up with some nice runny PVA and give him a sly wink over lunch:D

[Harry72]

I reckon there's nothing more fun than bullying the bully... just put the ????? up them(outsmart them, no violence as it will make you look bad), they usually fold straight away because most people who bully others are insecure in the first place.

[m2c1Iw]

I've had thinners squirted in my eye and been spat on , both most recently and often, by a boss ( part owner ) who I get on with reasonably well. I am the target of their ( 3 of them ) attention daily. Bloody sick of it. I've asked for nearly 3 yrs for it to stop.


rgum,
I'm no solicitor but I am managing a bullying and harassment case within an organisation I'm involved in at the moment.
Do not accept inappropriate behavior from anyone, there are regulations that protect employees as ozwinner said. Employers who condone bad behavior risk serious business disruption and cost if they ignore these matters.
I assume your employer does not have a employee complaints policy, if they do follow it. If not ask to see the senior manager/owner and lodge and informal complaint. Insist the manager carries out an investigation and engage the parties in mediation.
If that approach is not followed or fails lodge a formal complaint. That is in writing listing in as much detail on the incidences as possible, dates, those involved etc. The employer is then obliged to act and possibly call in an independent investigator who may recommend imposing penalties for those found to be engaged in harassment, including termination. In any event those involved will know your serious.
Final note if not handled correctly these cases usually end in tears and rarely have any winners. Handled properly an understanding can be reached and a far better workplace will be the outcome for all.
The bottom line is you should not have to leave!
Cheers Mike

[tameriska]

:(( And the next time this or a similar incident happens, leave work, citing injury and see a doctor for treatment. Ensure the doctor is aware of how this situation arose, this will be recorded in a OH&S document to be submitted to workcover.rgum. As much as you love what you do, I dont think that staying in this particular workplace is going to be healthy for you physically or mentally.

The quiet option. Put out feelers, and try to get work somewhere else, I have heard that it is easier to get work if you are already working.

Any documentation you have, doctors reports etc, witnesses that will support you will all be helpful if you decide to make a big noise.

I did a google, and these links might have something to help you, even just a ph number so that you can talk to someone who knows about this stuff and can advise you.

http://www.vic.gov.au/sl/25485-Victoria-Online-Bullying-in-the-workplace.html

http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/WorkSafe/Home/Safety+and+Prevention/Health+And+Safety+Topics/Bullying+and+Occupational+Violence/?&a=Bullying%20and%20Occupational%20Violence&p=Popular

Whatever you do, you shouldnt have to put up with this stuff.

[markharrison]

It's gone on too long already.

You really need to get out of there. Life's too short to work with these sorts of di_kheads.

I had a situation in a large company where a senior manager physically accosted me by shaking my arm. Fortunately for me he was stupid enough to do this in front of about a 100 witnesses.

I walked downstairs and went to HR. Made a complaint and said that I wanted an apology. They were baffled that I didn't want him sacked. However, I knew this clown giving an apology would hurt even more than getting the sack.

In any event, he was "retrenched" some months later. Followed by me some twelve months later.

Moral of the story? You might get justice, but don't hang around anyway.

[dazzler]

Hey

Maybe spend some time posting exactly whats gone on so that you can get some good advice from those here. Posts so far are a bit cryptic.

Give some specific examples of each in depth so that the full situation is known.

But seriously for your own health you must do something as a matter of priority. Perhaps go and see your gp in the morning.

good luck :2tsup:

[Sebastiaan56]

As others have said. Document it, get some evidence than get out of there. After three years its too late, particularly in a smaller team. When you're out decide on the legal stuff. It would become hell if you were still there. I chopped the top of my finger off at one place and when I returned I was the pariah. Boss resented the compo, I left, he paid. No winners really,

Sebastiaan

[rgum]

I'd like to react violently but I will suffer as a result. In what ever way. Not the right path. :(
Gawwwwd Echidna! What a thing you did. Glad it solved the prob. :2tsup:

There's a HUGE culture of imaturity in factory working.
I've had my lunch taken and eaten in front of me.

Am I providing a laugh ? :no:

Morn tea biscuits I bring are stolen. Why should I have to hide anything? My own personal tools left all over the factory. My lockable tool box ripped open. Tools used.
Others who do these things encourage those who I work and see it as ok to join in. I wanna belt someone. Two people! :o But I then can't call in the solicitors.
I don't wanna leave.!!!!!!! :C
Management have basically ignored me. The current part owner is a lovely bloke who would never be in on it. So if I do bring a soliciter, he will suffer too. My dilema. Don't wanna hurt him. But I've also told him and!!!!! Nuthins been done grrrrrrrrr!

I feel it's gone too far to call in Work safe peoples. I don't wanna leave but if I'm forced too I want some future wages to live on and some compo. Because they put me in this position.
I'm asked " wheres your sense of humour ?" Yeah right.
Things have settled a little bit. But where they can, they still humiliate me in front of anyone even if that person has never met me.
I'm happy to get in on their fun. But I don't want to be a part of stupid things or be the only one to be targeted.


I do not subscribe to this American maddness of litigation for really stupid things just for the sake of getting some money. Sorry to any offended! :B

Has anyone been to a tribunal? A hearing. Anyone know someone who has??????



On Brighter note..................


......yesterday I got my new Hammer cattledog. Yay. C3 - 31.....
I hope. Saving...saving...saving. Gawwwdd I can't wait. But I gotta go to Portland .....fishing....soooo hanging out to go. Xmas time.
Thankyou for your replys. :2tsup:

[Groggy]

Take a spare lunch with something unsavoury inside it, maybe a cockroach. Leave it on the lunchroom table in plain view.

Take along some TimTams laced with a good laxative.

Fill your drink bottle with salt water and enough soft drink to colour it.

Keep some pet Huntsmen in your toolbox. If they die, put them in a sandwich.

As for the 'lovely bloke', part owner. If he was truly a good bloke he would look after his workers by getting off his bum and doing something. It is his responsibility to provide a safe and reasonable workplace.

From the stuff you've described I might look elsewhere for work. One day someone will take them to the cleaners for their work practices and bullying and you know what they will say

"No-one ever complained about this before!".

[echnidna]

The only way to handle it is legally

otherwise you will get left holding the bag of poo

Contact Ozwinners links and go from there.

The boss must be a real nice bloke
- he just lets it happen
- so IT IS HIS FAULT.

and start looking for a job in a better place

btw its not litigation for stupid things -
YOU REALLY ARE BEING ILLEGALY HARASSED
its not a joke gone wrong
YOU REALLY ARE BEING ILLEGALY HARASSED

[Lignum]

...and been spat on , both most recently and often, by a boss ( part owner ) who I get on with reasonably well.

I would hate to see what happens when you dont get on with someone. This is the point it should have stopped. If someone spat on me, well...



As for the 'lovely bloke', part owner. If he was truly a good bloke he would look after his workers by getting off his bum and doing something.

Real nice bloke ey! Dont be sucked in rgum, he is as weak as you know what. Take all the sick days owing and go look for a better job. There are heaps out there.

Also, i wouldnt go the legal way. Even though you are in the right, the furniture industry is a small place, and once you are known as someone who has gone down that path it could limit future employment

[Gra]

The current part owner is a lovely bloke who would never be in on it.

A Comprimise would be to go to the part owner and tell him that you are being put into a position you dont wish to be in. Explain that you like him, but what is happening is ILLEAGAL, and if it continues you will have no option but to contact the workcover authorities. Let him know he is the only reason you havent already gone to the autorities. Maybe even point him to this thread and see what has been said here about what you could have done.

Basically make it sound like you are doing him a favour, let him know the cost it will involve if it continues. The problem will be solved I guarantee you (They wont like it hitting their hip pocket nerve).

The reason I am saying this is I was in a position where I was being treated like dirt by my imediate senior, and did nothing. It got so bad I ended up on medication just to go to work.... Dont let it go that far. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, if you dont nothing will ever happen, except it will get worse. (I solved it by getting a better job eventually, but way too late, and others suffered after me. The person was then redeployed after conplaints)

[Gingermick]

My supervisor used to pick on every mistake I made even though they were insignificant. Typo's and other silly things and he'd bag my work in front of colleagues. It got to a point where I overheard a conversation between him and another worker and he was talking about a problem with a job and she said "Because mick ....."
He said "no, nothing to do with mick" but it distressed me greatly, so I stood up and said can you please come into the meeting room, we need to talk.
I outlined to him my problem and that given I still work here, my work must be satisfactory. He told me that it was and that he hadn't realised the effect of his sarcasm and smart alec remarks. He apologised and has since modified his behavior.
It may not help, but I understand how workplace bullying affects you and I hope you reach a happier environment sooner rather than later.

[manoftalent]

Its been my experiance in the past that when you make a "formal" complaint to relivant gov depts ......the "nice bloke" gets real ugly, and will without a doubt cover his own behind and support the MAJORITY....not the minority ( you)...thus your problem would be two fold .....

work place bullying does have another effect you may not be aware of .....traumatic stress .....this can play a big part in your life without you knowing it .....so I suggest you look it up and check the symptoms just to be safe ....

as others have said, you do NOT have to put up with it,and gov depts working as slow as they do, you would probably find yourself a bit outcast at work once you start the ball rolling ......you will work in silence thats for sure .....and the boss will probably pick fault in your work etc ....but he cannot sack you.....(without good reason) for fear of validating your claim.... it takes guts to work there under those conditions, and it would take guts to take it further ...but .......BEFORE you do ......send your boss a letter by registered mail and make a photocopy of the letter .....outline the problem and your plan of action should it continue ....and give it 7 days ......if it does not resolve .....then go and complain officially ....they will ask you what you did to resolve this yourself ...hence what I just said .........proof is what they want .....hearsay can be denied ....good luck

[boban]

......send your boss a letter by registered mail and make a photocopy of the letter .....outline the problem and your plan of action should it continue ....and give it 7 days .....

This is excellent advice. It forces them to respond. If they ignore it, there are a number of things which will be assumed. Above all, that they condone the behaviour or do not consider it to be serious.

My advice would be not to make any ultimatums. Just ask that the behaviour stop. The rest can follow in due course. But put it in writing.

I actually cannot believe you have been so controlled. If someone spat on me or put thinners in my eye, I would not have been writing any letters. But I doubt that they would do it me for that very reason. You are being targeted because they consider you an easy target. That's what bullies do.

What they have done to you is actually a criminal offence. If it happens again, your local doctor followed by a visit to the police can be a very effective remedy to the problem. You need not proceed with a prosecution, but they will certainly think twice about doing anything to you.

Fight back, not necessarily with your fists.

PS. Your boss is an a hole.

[felixe]

PS. Your boss is an a hole.

:exactly:

[Wood Borer]

rgum,

I think we all agree that something must change. It is not fair on you, your family or friends to have you being so stressed. You are not doing yourself or anyone else any favours by continuing to be bullied.

You seem intent on staying at this work place - ask yourself why. There are many other places our mate rgum can earn a dollar without being subjected to bullying.

Obviously you do not want this to continue so I think either the work place changes or you change work places.

Whatever choice you make, ensure it is for your long term benefit and not just a short term revenge however sweet it may seem.

Remember that you have a lot of mates here who are genuinely concerned and want the best for you.

If you read an identical thread by another person, what advice would you give them?

Keep your head up mate, you have identified the problem and all you have to do now is make a choice from many good options. Your problem is as good as solved.

[Schtoo]

I had a little bit of harassment at work, when I was a first year apprentice. Nothing serious, nothing harmful but pretty annoying. Mainly from one guy.

I wanted to leave, the boss wouldn't let me saying that if I did go, I wouldn't be working for anyone else. Me, being in a right state (18 years old, and terrified) didn't say anything but a stupid "ok..."

However, the boss put me to work with other guys, and life became much more tolerable. Enough so that I stuck it out, got my ticket and stayed on for a few more years.

Once the boss knew something was amiss, he did something about it, even if he did not realize exactly what was going on.

A few years later, he found out exactly what was going on between me and the mongrel who was giving me trouble, and apologized for being a bit of a 'sharp object', and if he had known exactly what was going on, he wouldn't have made it right there and then.

In the end, he looked after me pretty well. Not money wise, but respect wise. Enough so that if he is in business, I still have a job there.

The mongrel settled down after being told that what he was doing wasn't right, and might earn the distinction of being sacked, a rarity in that company (only one in 30 odd years I think), and in the end I had a little leverage over him, as did most other guys. I think he had a little bit of a small man complex, and took it out on others rather than just getting over it.


What was he doing to me that was so bad? :?

At the time, it wasn't great, but looking back now (and after Rgum's nightmare) it wasn't too much to get upset about.

Things like being dragged to a job, tools in hand, working for the day and told to find my own way home. Ended up having to walk home, about 10km since no buses on that January day...

Being told to run rather than walk/dogtrot from place to place because he was too lazy/stupid to remember something.

Given jobs to do that I didn't know how to do, with little instruction, and then told off for either fouling it up, asking too many questions or not doing it at all.

Etc, etc. Like I said, nothing too serious, but enough that life became pretty miserable.

I can't imagine how someone with thinner skin than me would have dealt with it.


Rgum, Manoftalent has good ideas there, as in making absolutely sure the head honcho knows what is going on, and making them either put up or suffer the consequences. You have to get this garbage to stop, and you have to make sure that you do everything you can to assist that happening.

If you don't do anything, then it would seem you are happy enough to keep on taking it. :(

Good luck, and DO something!

[RufflyRustic]

You have talked to your bosses about the bullying and nothing has happened.

How about giving the bosses your points in writing?

If nothing happenes after eg a month, (edit - actually, one week is long enough) then you might be able to make a case of vicarious liability http://www.adcq.qld.gov.au/Brochures07/vicarious.html

Keep a diary. The more documented evidence you have, the easier it will be to have something done about the situation.

Why do you stay and take this s&^%$? Have you become so used to it, that it's easier to stay as you know what it's like? Are you so comfortable being in this job that you are prepared to be mistreated every single day? How deep in a rut can you be?

You've taken the first few steps :2tsup: - acknowledging that you don't want to put up with it anymore, you've talked to the bosses but they have been &*^*%^% and need their own *(&^& kicked, so what are you going to do next and when??? when you get so badly hurt by one of their bullying sessions that you end up in hospital??

What advice would you give to someone in your situation? Are you prepared to take your own advice?

Here's one link I've found. Maybe other forumites might have some helpful links to organisations or information.
http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/Home.asp


Hope you don't mind me playing angel's advocate:rolleyes: , but I can't stand :(( situations like this.

Wendy

[Zed]

i agree with boban, your boss is an a hole. U must be a ultra-dope to put up with that sort of stuff for 3 yrs. U must have a "hit me" stapled to your forehead.

seek legal advice, document everything, sue the bastards. get a new job, if u dont your a boofhead...

[dazzler]

Hi rgum

spent today thinking about your problem while digging holes for fence posts. :rolleyes:

This is my advice for what its worth. :)

1. Type up exactly what has happened and how it effects you. Name each person who has done what. Be specific, dont exaggerate, name witnesses, time and dates as close as you can remember.

2. Type up a covering letter to each of the offenders, the boss, the bosses boss, workcover (in your state) and the minister (it is a govt job isnt it :? ). In this letter explain that thier actions are making you sick (depressed/angry whatever is occuring) and will not be tolerated. Any further actions will result in the matter being referred as a formal complaint to workcover or HREOC and also to your solicitor (grab one from the phonebook :wink: ) and the police in the case of an assault. Note on each letter that they have been carbon copied (cc'd) to the others.

3. Without warning walk up to the offenders and tell them they are wanted in the boss office and walk over to the boss. Hand each of them thier letter and walk out. They will open them, go what the &*^&^, read them, &^^& themselves and in a short while the boss will call you back in to his office to discuss it. Make sure you have already posted the others and tell them that.

4. See what happens. Cant be any worse really.

The beauty in this is that you negate the "we were just having fun and thought he liked it" arguement that is used often if you report it later.

And forget the compo line as there is nothing to compensate unless you are injured and thats the worst thing that can happen as it can destroy your life.

good luck :2tsup:

[Lignum]

There has been a lot of well meaning advice here:2tsup: and as i have said previously i wouldnt go legal because the furniture industry is small and gossip travels "very" fast and even though you are in the right, having been involved in a dispute dosnt go down well with prospective new employers. Plus how do you explain how you left your last place of employment? You will get the 'Thanks, we will be in touch" routine

Having said that, if you do take it further, contact this mob. You will get all the advice that is needed:)

http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/DOJ+Internet/Home/The+Justice+System/Disputes/Types+of+Disputes/JUSTICE+-+Workplace+Disputes

[journeyman Mick]

......................And forget the compo line as there is nothing to compensate unless you are injured and thats the worst thing that can happen as it can destroy your life.............

I'm no lawyer, but I'd have to disagree with that, I'm sure you could (if you had the inclination) sue for mental anguish or whatever the term is.

Mick

[m2c1Iw]

I'm no lawyer, but I'd have to disagree with that, I'm sure you could (if you had the inclination) sue for mental anguish or whatever the term is.

Mick

Mick,don't know about mental anguish but about 5 years workers comp on stress leave if you are inclined for a bludge :D TIC. Then of course a permanent disability payout, would guarantee you never work again at least for a boss.

Sorry no laughing matter:B

[Shedhand]

OK. I've read all the posts in this thread. In a previous life I was a union official and industrial advocate in both the state and federal industrial courts. As a Ministerial Adviser in 2001 I was closely involved with developing Tassies new (and much maligned I should add) Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003

The law states clearly that if you receive attention in your workplace which you don't invite and it's unwanted then its harassment. Doesn't matter if you're man, woman, bi, gay, old, young, black,white or brindle, Moslem, Jew or Christian.

Harassment and discrimination, particularly in the workplace, is illegal and carries huge penalties in the most serious cases.

You have a case for Workers Compensation. If you're in Victoria I'm fairly certain that the definition of injury has been changed (as it was in Tasmania in 2003) to include mental illness as a compensable injury.

You sound as though you are going through a period of severe anguish (mental strain or stress) due to your harassment at work.

If you're in a Union (and everyone should be) call a rep and ask them to earn the dues you pay and sort the problem for you with the ahole managers. Then go see your GP. Tell him/her you are stressed out due to workplace harassment and want to lodge a Workers Comp claim. The doctor will give you a certificate which you then take to your gutless boss who should then (by law) give you a Workers Comp form to fill out. Fill it out, attach your copy of the doctors medical certificate then go home and recover. While you're recovering get a notebook and as best you can document every instance of harassment you can recall include the fact that you told someone about and that nothing was done (implies the employer condoned the behaviour).

Under industrial law you CAN be sacked whilst on Workers Comp but you continue to receive a percentage of your wages (not sure what it is in Victoria). In any case why anyone would want to continue working in a place that treats its workers as they treat you. The fact you've put up with it for 3 years indicates to me a strength of character which will put the lie to any counter-claim that you're a malingerer

You won't get any brownie points from anyone for feeling as you do for the so-called "nice fella' you mention.

Loyalty means nothing these days. As an aside, it occurs to me that they want you out of the place but don't wan to risk an unfair dismissal case or a payout.

Anyway i hope this is useful. I wouldn't bother with lawyers at this stage as the union or the Vic Department of Industrial Relations or Work Cover can give you plenty of guidance.

Good luck and don't put up with it any longer.

Cheers
Mike

[dazzler]

I'm no lawyer, but I'd have to disagree with that, I'm sure you could (if you had the inclination) sue for mental anguish or whatever the term is.

Mick

Hi Mick

Technically I think you are right. Becoming a victim through the process is the problem IMO

cheeers

dazzler

[Lignum]

Onyu Sheddie:2tsup:

[Honorary Bloke]

I agree. Mike, that was outstanding.

Rgum old mate, I feel your pain. I feel it rippling through each of your posts. You are a good bloke caught in a bad situation. But you are fearful for the future--what if I lose this job? What will I do? Mate, you will do very well indeed. With an apparently relentless work ethic, you'll have no dramas getting a better position.

Don't give in to the the paralysis of fear. That's what these bast*rds are counting on. They believe you won't do anything because you are weak, but you are strong! After all, they can't kill you and they can't eat you. :wink: Everything after that is gravy. Listen to Mike and tell 'em to, well, you know . . . :cool:

[Shedhand]

Having said all that in my last post here:

30 odd years ago I was unemployed and too old for the CES to find me a job (their words - not mine)so I doorknocked a lot of places near my home and luckily snagged a job with a timber and hardware place. Though I'd just completed matriculation as an adult student and done 1 year of a B Sc degree (family illness killed my uni days off) all I could get was a place in the timber yard, racking, loading and preparing timber sales orders. There were 4 other staff in the draughty old timber warehouse. An old Pom near retirement, a little fat guy full of his own importance, a croation fork lift driver and the Fonz. The Fonz thought he was the ducks guts. He had one of those duck hairstyles, an Errol Flynn moustache, a swagger like middleweight boxer and an attitude to match. He always had a lit fag in his mouth and he "owned" the most comfortable chair in the lunch-room. Into this environment came I. On introductions the Fonz hit me with a gimlet stare and declared he was in charge and he owned the best chair. I laughed thinking he was joking. He got nasty real quick. Anyway for the next few weeks he needled me, hid my lunch, added cold milk to my coffee when the cup was half empty and left fag butts everywhere and blamed me for it. One day I was sitting in "his" chair on the phone to a customer and I noticed him standing in the doorway looking really peeved. I finished the call and he scruffed me by the shirt and pulled me out of the chair. I'd had enough. I said, Foxy (his last name was Fox), I'm tired of your infantile behaviour (the words I used) so why don't we go round the back and sort it out. And when you go home looking like a war casualty you'll only have yourself to blame you idiot d -head". I took my work shirt off and headed round the back of the timber store.
He didn't follow. He never carried on or made a threat again. In fact we ended up good mates. Unfortunately the fags killed him.
The other problem was that his behaviour made the other 2 guys stand-offish towards me because they didn't want to offend him.
The moral of the story - nip it in the bud and stand up for yourself. :wink:

[Wood Borer]

I too would have nipped in the bud like many others here. I would have warned him once and then not feel guilty or responsible for what happens after that.

That's what I learnt in the playground at school when I was a bit younger. That's how I treat low life (people trying to get an unfair advantage by physical threat, legal threat, psychological threat etc.)

Not everyone takes this approach. Why don't they?

Perhaps they lack self confidence, courage, or perhaps it is just not in their nature to take this approach. Perhaps they believe the doom and gloom stories that they will never find another job.

I think that governments have (under sufferance) introduced laws to help those who for whatever reason don't deal with it themselves or to perhaps discourage these mongrels.

Our mate rgum for whatever reason has endured the bullying for three years which indicates he requires external assistance. I suppose that's why he started this thread.

If it is not in his character to behave in this manner, I don't consider him a wimp or a weak person.

We are all different and there are solutions out there for all of us to achieve the same result whether it be have the mongrels in casualty or court or perhaps neither.

[Andy Mac]

What ever happened to the good old days when an errant apprentice could be hoyked by his overalls on the overhead gantry to hang for while; used bodily to mop out the drip trays; or gaffer taped over the fire hydrant!!?:D
We knew our place back then...:rolleyes:

[MurrayD99]

rgum, you must hate getting up mornings. Thinners eh? Two can play at that. But I'd find another place... this has gone on too long to be nipped in the bud. It has gone to seed from what I hear. Soddit....

[pawnhead]

The moral of the story - nip it in the bud and stand up for yourself. :wink:Not exactly nipping it in the bud since it's been going on for three years now.
It's obvious that a pecking order has been well and truly established. He shouldn't have to fight (physically) for his rights, and if he does, and loses the fisticuffs then it may only make things worse.

There's no easy solution to this, but there have been some good suggestions in this thread so far. It comes down to one of four choices as I see it.

1. Fight back on their own terms:
Pros: If you win, you might gain some respect and all will be sweet.
Cons: You might loose, and things may escalate.

2. Pursue it from a legal aspect.
Pros: You won't have to eat any more sh*t. You may get some compo.
Cons: You may not hold on to your job, and you may not want to work there any more with the increased animosity that will be going around. If word gets out then you may find it hard to get a job elsewhere.

3. Look for another job with a different mob that has workers with a bit more maturity.
Pros: You won't have to eat any more sh*t.
Cons: ?. Unless there's something about this place that attracts you, then I can't see any cons.

4. Cop it sweet:
Pros: ?
Cons: Escalating emotional trauma, and ongoing misery. IMO the least desirable option of the four.

It's a decision that you'll have to make yourself, but unless you reckon there's a chance that you'll get your head punched in, I'd just prepare to explode in a calculated manner the next time you face any harassment.

"LISTEN YOU BUNCH OF MOTHER@#$%ERS. I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS SH*T. I JUST WANT TO DO MY JOB IN PEACE. IF YOU HAVEN'T GOT THE MATURITY TO TREAT A FELLOW WORKER WITH THE RESPECT THAT HE DESERVES, THEN I'M OUTA HERE, AND I WON'T SHED ANY TEARS ABOUT NOT HAVING TO WORK WITH A BUNCH OF LOW LIFE'S ANYMORE"

If that doesn't work, then I'd just look for another job with some normal people, instead of a bunch of sadists.

[TEEJAY]

If you like working there I think you would love working somewhere else where you are respected for your talent and work.

Take the initiative and find another job - no place is acceptable with what you have described and if you can't change the environment then change the place.

There are plenty of places these days that are occupied by respectful humans.

[Bleedin Thumb]

PS. Your boss is an a hole.


Don't worry Rgum, so is mine..................Its one on the hazzards of being self employed:-

[sawdustmike]

Change jobs. No job is worth it to put up with sh?t like that. Your mental health needs to be looked after, no one has got the right to mess with your head. Staying there and fighting them wont make it better. Cut your loss and leave the loosers to themselves, just smile as you try to pick who will be bullied once you are gone! If you want a new start, head out West, we can't get workers of any description here for love or money.

Good luck and I hope you sort this out soon.

[Stu in Tokyo]

Well this is a bad situation for sure, you certainly have been given a LOT of good advice, so now the ball is in your court, I certainly hope that you can work it out, in a manner that pleases you, but I do think you have to do something.

I learned the hard way to deal with this crap when I was a kid. I played baseball when I was about 12, I was even able to make the starting line up, but we had one kid on our team, you know the type, big for his age, and his dad was a "_____head" and egged him on tormenting the other kids. The coach was a coward, and this kid could knock a baseball out of the park just about on demand.

He did crap like in practice he would kick you with his cleats when he ran by, or as you ran the bases he'd trip you and stuff. One day I came home, rather upset and my Dad asked what the problem was, I told him. He knew about it, he had talked to the coaches, with little effect, and my Dad had even confronted the other kid's dad, who basically told my Dad that I should grow some balls, or go home. My Dad told me that sometimes you just got to stick up for yourself, that he could not do it for me, I had to, he told me the next time the punk did something, hit him as hard as I could, right in the face, so I did.

The next practise, as I was running the bases, the punk tripped me as I rounded first, I got up of the ground, and while he was laughing and looking for approval to the others, I wound up and hit him with every ounce of strength I had, the look on this guys face was worth it, I don't think he had ever been hit in the face before, he was shocked, and I gave him a fat lip. It took him a moment to fight back, and by that time the coaches were on their way, so I did not get beat into the ground.

He NEVER bothered me again.

The really funny thing was, when we were 16 or so, we played on the same American football team, by this time, I'd more than caught up to him, I was a lineman, and he was a running back, I had nearly 6" on him a fair bit of weight. In practice, I got to hit him, and while they were always "clean" hits, I made them count, payback is a......... well you know! :D

Later, when I went to work, I got all the usual crap the new guy gets, "get me the left-handed pipe wrench" and the classic "go get me a sky hook" etc, I knew they were coming and I played along, but one day, a guy at work took my lunch. I complained about it to him, he told me to pound sand. Fine, I said, you will get yours, I went out to his truck, and removed one of the vacuum hoses to his carb, I knew his truck would barely run with that hose off. After work, I was sitting there on my bike and when he started his truck up, it ran so poorly, he could barely back up, and it would stall, he finally gave up, and opened the hood. I walked over and said "What's wrong?" he barely knew where the motor was in his truck, "Dunno, won't run right" :?

I told him to get in the truck and try it again, he did and I fiddled with this, and then with that, then I put the air hose back on, and the truck ran great! He was so happy, he asked what was wrong, I showed him the hose and said, it must have fallen off, it happens some times. He asked me what he owed me, I said "lunch".............

The next day, he brought me lunch, and we got along just fine, and no one messed with me either, I just did my job, and got paid.

Rgum, I guess your problem is well beyond this stage, which is too bad, but, when you do get away from these useless excused for men, make sure you nip anything in the bud at the next place you work, no one deserves this kind of crap.

Hoping for better days for you!
:2tsup:

[rgum]

Ozwinner......Felixe.....Lignum......mC2I1w.....Tamerize ( Wendy? )...Groggy....Echidna.....Gra....manoftalent....rufflyrustic.....Dazzler.....
SheddyH....Sawdustmike.

To ALL of you besides naming a few.

Gawwwwwwwd did I open a can of worms or WHAT! :C

I'm still humiliated daily. The boss comes over to me to joke around many time s a day. Sometimes its fun but he just will not have a serious conversation with me. I an idiot basically. It's frustrating. :~
I'm a kid in his eyes. No idea on how to do things and so on.
Then how come I'm in charge of setting and fitting and quality control? :?

Some panels crashed to the ground on Fri. The wind blew through the door and got'em. I closed that roller door. To avoid this. Then he opened it later . Then CRASH. Scratched expensive board panels. I got a yelling and he went nuts. " How can this happen on its own"? " It doesn't happen on it's own!!! " I couldn't even attempt to tell him ....he opened the door I closed to avoid a crash from the wind. It's ????????.

When I send some formal letters I will be an outcast as said. I will have to leave. I will be unpopular.
I will show the boss this site and thread.
My work does suffer and my confidence some days, to do my work go's down hill.
I stuff up things cause I'm a little nervous. Thankfully, this hardly happens or I'd be outa there. We all make the occaisional mistake.
They said it's hard to find another person to train because there's soooo much to know about cutting sinks in benchtops, fitting lights and blah blah. Soooo many little tricks you need to know.
I've learnt them all.

I also have to initiate and innovate on some jobs to get a favorable outcome in fitting something or making it look nice when its fitted. You know....cut it this way then nail it in then and not before, then bog it then shave of one side. blah blah. :doh:

Maybe I should go with the runny PVA in a sandwhich trick. ha he:no:


Anyway...It go's on. I don't want to go on about it here any more though.
We all want to get into our sheds and make beautiful sawdust right? :;


Thankyou all for your links and words. I'll take them on board. All of you are kind.


Tony......

[frog's wife]

Tony,

We're all waiting to hear the end result of you sending some letters.
Do keep us posted. I'm even going to hold off being angry at you until I see some result. And yes I do want to get angry. Your first posts made me angry enough to stop reading over my partner's shoulder and go and get a login of my own.

Grow a set of kahunas and do something about this. Choose any of the wise words of the guys here or think of something yourself but DO SOMETHING. How long do you plan to lay down and let these guys take the p outta you? (See now I'm angry. I used the p word) You're obviously a nice guy. Obviously intelligent, have a good work ethic and most likely talents and skills highly desirable in your industry. Don't believe for one minute that you wont get another job in a place that you'll be respected. I'm guessing that it's either just a fear of the unknown or believing these tossers you work for are respected by others in the industry, that makes you think you'll be 'unemployable'. I'm tipping that anyone worth working for will think your employers and their references are not worth a pinch of goatie poo. You'll get another job on your own merits.

Now get out there and get on with it! What are you waiting for?






Wife of frog,

(delivering a wifely type serve)

[Fox3]

Seen WAY too much of this kind of crap in my working career.

The problem is NOT you. Go find another job with people who are reasonably respectful of other humans rather than scumbags who are so pathetic that they need to beat someone else up to feel worthwhile.

Get out before they beat you to death (mentally if not physically).


Then how come I'm in charge of setting and fitting and quality control?

There is your answer, if they abuse you enough they save money and keep you around.

GET OUT.

[TermiMonster]

Tony,
I agree with Frog's wife and Fox3.
Apply for other jobs now, then when you get one, give notice and leave. If it was me I would just quit, then look. Don't put up with this S**t.
Cheers
TM
ps. i have had 15 jobs in the last 10 years:doh: so some people I know would say don't take my advice, but I am happy:rolleyes: and I like my current job:p

[joe greiner]

All of the above, Tony. You can't take pride in your work in this situation. Might be a bit awkward to find the new job while still employed, but the common wisdom is it's easier that way. When you've secured the new position, or while interviewing, advise the new employer that your responsibilities demand giving adequate notice; that should be good for a few points. Then, give about a week's less notice, and take the time to recover your wits.

Best of luck.

Joe

[scooter]

Tony, life's too short to stay there, mate.

Move on. It IS better out there, the biggest fear is that of change.

Sounds like it is beyond physical retaliation, you need to decide whether to go down the compo route or just leave & find something else.


Regards...................Sean

[Shedhand]

Rgum. Check your messages.
Cheers

[rgum]

I appologise if your sick of this ongoing episode clogging up your forum.
Simply ....you dont read any further. If your not immpressed with my crap, dont read any further and don't tell me please. :o

Workplace harrassement. Or is it me?

Mitch?????....thankyou for all your advice.

I had another incident at work...... again! :~
Right now I'm fumming.

Please tell me if I overeacted. Really!. I'd like your thoughts.
All taken with pride intact....:U

Panel saw person...who tries to cause me trouble nearly every day, was at it again. His behaviour toward me has been quite nice and civil for two and a bit weeks. But!!!!!

Late afternoon today. I was cleaning upper part of a cab. Soon to go and start making kick rails for nxt job going out.

He sais " Boss sais to go and start on this job now cause your wandering around doing bugger all".
I replied " Why does he think I'm doing bugger all " ? That was all.
He then returns to the boss, other side of the factory and sais" Tony said that was uncalled for". Knowing that boss man will get very angry thinking I'm being disrespectfull and march on over to confront me.

Last two weeks boss has been ?????? with me and barely talks to me cause I told him off for harrassing me. He hates that. It's better that way cause I don't get harrassed. :U

I mean, I didn't hold back. I told him well and truely. I did that during lunch when he kicks me in my shins as he passes out the door, to come out into the sun just before the bell rings, to go back to work.
It means to him that I won't let him have his fun.

Anyway....I over heard panel saw person return to boss and say " He sais that was uncalled for", so I marched on over to tell boss man, " I did not say that " and then I walked up to idiot and fogged up his eyes and waved my finger at his face. Yelling ofcourse. Swearing too. :no:
Boss man sais " I didn't come over and say anything did I?, So get on with your work" !
BUT! If I didn't come over....what do you think he would have thought?????? How dare he respond to me like that. And march on over. Right???????
I told new CEO who also gave me grief this morn and said , " I wanna talk after work".
I was berrated for yelling and told, " if it's about so and so ( panel saw person) , I don't wanna know about it". Walks off.
Now I'm really fumming.
This coming from a CEO who previously said to me.....3 .....times that so and so will try to F me up with my work. Meaning miss lead me into making a stuff up with a cab or bench top or something.
So then, he sais he will try to f me up then DO something!!!!!!!!

I can't leave now till all my debts are paid off. No more car debt....credit card or other stuff. Woo hoo. I'm free. February , March o8.

I will be going down the legal action path. Logistics to be thought through soon. you know....leave after finding new job then action....blah blah.

Again....appologies if you sick of this as I am.

I will not be treated like this. Will not!

Thankyou......Tony. Phew! .......:C Cooling dwn now. :roll:

[Gra]

Tony,

All power to you, remember document.. Write it all down NOW...

[echnidna]

Good,
but start looking for another job now.
You might not need to wait till next year

[bitingmidge]

See what Echidna says?

He knows about this stuff.

Don't even think about legal action! It will just take all you money and what's left of your spirit. What are you going to achieve? What possible damages are there if you haven't been fired, if you left of your own accord after taking notes for a year?

I don't want to rain on your parade, but you CAN'T win, some things aren't fair. DON'T shout. DON'T swear. NEVER be aggressive. They can take notes too you see.

Why not make an appointment after work to see the boss, and ask him how you can sort it out? Just tell him you want to keep working there, but you don't know how to fix the problem. (Make careful notes of that too! :wink: )

Good luck with it, but keep looking for another job.

Cheers,

P

[ozwinner]

.

[bitingmidge]

.... or you could take ozwinner to work for a day!

:D :D :D
P

[ozwinner]

Workplace harrassement. Or is it me?



Sorry, but either they would be dead by now, or I would be.
Why put up with any crap from anyone?

I always live by the rule live, and let live.

Leave me alone, and Ill leave you alone, anyone who harasses someone else, then complains about the treatment they receive for what they have done are cowards.

Once someone starts on me they either better be good at fighting or good at running. :U

If more people stood up and fought, win or lose, there would be non of this crap.
Freakin do gooders have brought this on, not too long ago if you had a dispute it was sorted out man to man, now people are too afraid to say anything in case they upset the other party.

Step up to the line and sort it out.:((

You will find most of the bullies that back stab you or intimidate you are nothing more than chicken tihs when it come down to toe to toe fighting. :((
Bring it one....:2tsup::2tsup:

Available for parties, weddings, and work break ups by appointment.

Al :U

[mic-d]

Tony, do you think you should also look at your attitude or let me say more neutrally, the way you percieve and react to situations, life etc? I'm not saying there aren't sphincters out there, but I do know now that in my life many of the people I thought were asreholes were not. Either I misjudged and over reacted to a completely innocent situation or people picked up on this and deliberately had a bit of fun - which at the time wasn't all the much fun. All I'm saying is that many of my apparent external problems were really my own internal problems. Lifes a short journey mate -try and enjoy the ride. Goodluck:)

Cheers
Michael

[Cliff Rogers]

Mr. Gum.... I suspect that they are trying to give you a hint.

You can take it or you can turn mean & nasty.

I don't think you are the mean & nasty type.

Find a new job ASAP.

[johnc]

Your own reactions are not exactly agression free, it might just be that you are part of the problem. Pre empting the bosses reaction shows in part you are pre judging and in part very sensitive to what was a conceived threat at best. Perhaps you have good cause but you either walk after finding a new job, or talk to the boss and suggest you find a way to work together.

Perhaps its time you both drew a line in the sand and agreed to make a new start with some understanding on the boundries of behaviour you should both maintain.

Fix yourself first otherwise you will just take the same issues to the next job should you meet a similar problem as you are experiencing currently.

John.

[JDarvall]

Do something they won't expect........... go up to panel saw guy one morning and kiss him squarely on the lips. . And when he calls you a poof.....grab his jewels and twist em a couple of times....... and...........and don't forget to write it all down.

probably not a good idea trying that until he's off the panel saw though eh.

[Cliff Rogers]

Hey Jake, is this how you sorted out your problem with the smartasre appie when you first started. :D

[JDarvall]

Hey Jake, is this how you sorted out your problem with the smartasre appie when you first started. :D

no. not exactly. But it be fun watching someone else attempting it eh. :U

[Honorary Bloke]

Tony,

I have gone back and re-read your other thread and now this one. It appears you have changed your reaction from one of passive acceptance to confrontational. Doesn't matter, mate. Too little too late. Might have worked in the beginning but now it's just a big distraction to your boss, the CEO, and everyone, including you. Besides, shouting up the boss (if you did) is a one-way ticket out.

Now nobody recommends that you become homeless or a bludger, but if you are not actively seeking another job right now, today, this minute, this second, then mate I don't think we can help you. February my asre. Do you want to get up every morning sick? Shorten your life by years? Hell, I'd sell tools at Bunnies first. :oo:

You seem a nice bloke who has gotten into a nasty situation with no hope of remediation. They obviously want you to leave, for whatever reason. But you may need them for a reference, so steady on--don't burn all your bridges, you may need to cross them again.

Consider as well some counseling to help you deal with your apparent anxiety over leaving. The current situation is FUBAR and can't be fixed. :)

[LGS]

Hell, I'd sell tools at Bunnies first. :oo:

So... You've been there Bob?

Tony, in all seriousness, unless you have a bundle of money tied up in leave credits, get out now. Whether its harrassment or paranoia is irrelevant. Start looking for somewhere else yesaterday. It would be my suggestion to you that you are now something that needs relocating without the company transgressing the unfair dismissal laws.

LGS

[RufflyRustic]

Hmm, time for a new tactic.

When something happens, don't say anything, don't react, just freeze up and glare at them and make sure they see your eyes. Then after 10 seconds, get out your Notebook and pen and write down what happened. MAKE SURE THEY SEE YOU WRITE Stuff DOWN!!!

Next, investigate Vicarious Liability, get some info sheets on it and leave them in prominent places, oh gee whiz, why not the CEO's intray.

[wheelinround]

Point out this other fellow seems to have heaps of time to watch what your doing.

If he has soooooo much time up his sleeve maybe he could give you a hand or someone else and that way it gets orders out the door quicker.

Why is he such a lap dog of the boss doing all his running back and forth does he get treats when he does good (Roll over Rover, sit beg good dog). You might even take in a dog collar and leash and suggest he be tethered to his tools as he keeps wandering off.

If the bosses don't listen their not interested in their company's profits and why he's spending time causing trouble shyte stirring

[silentC]

Why would you want to work somewhere like that?

I did a stint in a joinery in Sydney and I was at the bottom of the pecking order because I was the only guy who wasn't either an apprentice or a qualified carpenter. They like to have their fun, and you just shrug it off or laugh with 'em. But the bosses son was a nasty little ????. He spat on me once when I made a remark to him he didn't like. So a mate who was a Ramset rep got me a labouring job on a building site for another $50 a week. There were a holes on that site too, but I didn't have to be nice to them because they weren't the bosses son!

All this talk of legal action and whatever, I just say get the hell out.

[Bleedin Thumb]

I can't beleive how restrained all the answers to this tortouos whinging has been.

Sorry rgum I'm not that sort of person - personally I think you deserve a kick in the back side you weak ....

Get a life, grow a spine and take responsibility for your own life and stop being one of life's little victims.

You have had good advise already ...either take that advise up and do something positive or stop whining.:((

[scooter]

Respect your right to have a say, Bleedin, but if you've got no patience for rgum using the forumites as a sounding board, don't read the thread, put him on your ignore list or whatever.

Please refrain from insulting other forum members.


Cheers.....................Sean

[Shedhand]

Tony, read my previous advice again mate.
CHeers

[dazzler]

Your own reactions are not exactly agression free, it might just be that you are part of the problem. Pre empting the bosses reaction shows in part you are pre judging and in part very sensitive to what was a conceived threat at best. Perhaps you have good cause but you either walk after finding a new job, or talk to the boss and suggest you find a way to work together.

Perhaps its time you both drew a line in the sand and agreed to make a new start with some understanding on the boundries of behaviour you should both maintain.

Fix yourself first otherwise you will just take the same issues to the next job should you meet a similar problem as you are experiencing currently.

John.

Good advice. I think john is on the money.

If your going to stay then schedule a meeting and all sit down and sort it out. Forget the blame game, "what do we need to do to sort this out?".

I had a situation once where a few comments that I took wrongly had me thinking the whole team were against me until a mate pulled me aside and set me straight. May not be the same but worth a thought.

Once again forget any compensation thoughts. Money aint worth the stress and mental damage.

best of luck

[rgum]

I can change jobs and the same thing is gonig to happen to me.......IF........I don't change " my " attitude, and just ignore the bastards as they come at me. Then they'll see I don't respond and I'll be better off. This is good. I have known of this for a lifetime.

My darling just ripped my ears off and she's totally correct.
It's not about me. They'll just do it to the nxt person anyway.
Maybe the boss wasn't gonna come over to me and abuse me for being what he thought was me being disrespectful......BUT!..... I had to tell him. What if I didn't??????

What if I didn't????????????

So and so lied in saying something else that I didn't say. I should have approached the boss calmly and told him instead of screaming.

I will get nowhere with the legal pursuit she sais. Cause I react and scream when humiliated. Childish huh?

I am making notes and recalling other events.
Don't think my partner will be happy though.

How the bloody hell am I expected to let these bastards do as they please? You see how you'd go when they've done these shirty things to you! On and on and on and on. Yeah right!!!!!!!!. You won't take legal action or physical action? Tell me you wouldn't react.

People are soooo god damn imature and have nothing to give them pleasure other than to harrass others.

I'm sooo peeed off that I can't do something to tell them that they are really pathetic. I've told the CEO to DO something many, many many ,many times.

After yesterdays events my CEO told me..." if it's about so and so, I don't wanna know about it".
How's that???? huh??????

It's fair to penalise someone if they are causing you grief after several warnings. I feel like they are going to get away with it. I feel like it's not fair. I lose...... they win. I shouldn't have screamed. They are allowed to conduct themselves in this way???????

I intend to write a profile on working in a factory culture.

Not to be posted I promise you, ha he. :C

I know I am responsible for the way I react. I can help myself to some degree and maybe then....I will suffer little grief at work. Where ever I work.

Again I appologise for my PATHETIC behaviour. To you all.
To stop it....... is a start. My darling girl is right.
But it's bloody hard not to respond. Really!!!!!
And many of you have advised me with such sentiment.

Maybe ....just maybe I'll post something about woodwork ,ha he :o

I am glad that I've not been berrated on this site. Or banned. :C Gawwwwd.

Goodnite......Tony :U

[joe greiner]

Tony, your present situation cannot be repaired; too much water over the dam. Get a new position IMMEDIATELY. Waiting until you're out of debt? Hell's bells, most of us will never be out of debt. Flip hamburgers for a while if you must. Upover here, McD's awards gold(ish) pins for SIX MONTH's duration.

For future reference, though, your latest response might use some improvement. Is your nemesis a DESIGNATED pipeline from/to the boss? E.g. a supervisor? If not, you have no obligation to believe anything he says. As Wendy suggests, a blank stare is the best response. If the company relies on such sloppy communication, it's a pizz-poor way to run a business, and it's their problem, not yours.

Joe

[JDarvall]

Again I appologise for my PATHETIC behaviour. To you all.




:(( don't applogise. Thats just pathetic ! grow up and stop being such a winger :wink:

Don't worry about Bleeding thumb. He's just sexually frustrated. That panel saw guy and your boss as well. No doubt about it.

Happens occationally. Your stuck in the middle of a bunch of blokes who just need a bit of nouke. Probably been years for some of them and they don't even know why there cranky. I'm not joking either. Have you ever seen a bloke cross the morning after ?

[Honorary Bloke]

Don't worry about Bleeding thumb. He's just sexually frustrated. ?

Jeez Ripper. Everything is coming clear now. :rolleyes: :D :D

[RufflyRustic]

RGum,

Another couple of suggestions. Take some time away from work. Clear your head. Take a good long hard look at yourself. Be totally and brutally honest with yourself (no one else has to be involved with this, or know)

How much of my actions may have brought this on myself.
Would I treat someone else like they have if that person acted the same way I have been behaving?
Do I like the way I have been behaving?
If not, what are the warning signs that I'm about to behave that way?
How would I prefer to handle those situations?
Visualise yourself in various situations and how you'd like to behave and visualise yourself getting the result or outcome you want.

what goes around comes around.

Act, behave and speak in the way you'd like others to interact with you.

You can't change anyone else, you can only change yourself and only if you work at it and want it.

Most of all, don't give up, just when it is at it's very hardest, that is when you are so close to breaking through and achieving what you want.

Cheers
Wendy

[Wood Borer]

Wendy has an excellent handle on it.

Here's a plan of action.

Don't go to another job just yet. It is possible that until you figure out why you are a target, you might become a target at the next job and the next job and the next job.

From now on, treat your current workplace as a laboratory where you can do research and conduct experiments on your behaviour along the line of what Wendy said. Get to the bottom of the problem by understanding yourself and honing up on reaction strategies. In this way, you are not risking burning new bridges.

Once you have conducted all your trials and done some fine tuning on your new techniques using your current colleagues as guinea pigs, you will be in a good position to move to your next job.

You will also have the satisfaction of knowing that the fools who were having a negative impact on you in fact did you a big favour.

In other words, leave your problems with the current work place and don’t carry them to the next job. These problems are heavy and uncomfortable to carry so start releasing them now.

Some people would not have had these problems if they did the same job in the your current workplace. Why? Figure it out and then leave so that the rest of your life can be occupied with positives.

[Christopha]

Hmmm.... iot would seem that my suggestion that the gentleman in question show some sign of being just that, a man, was deleted..... fiddle dee dee and tosh!

[Bleedin Thumb]

:((

Don't worry about Bleeding thumb. He's just sexually frustrated.



Well being married for 10 years can do that to you.:p

[JDarvall]

:D ya poor bugger. can relate.

[rgum]

I will be finally writing a formal letter to my CEO about panel saw persons malicious behaviour, on FRI.
Today, again; he was openly declaring what he would do to stuff me up. Mant times he openly sais these things.
Two others just laughed as he made his declaration.
Ordering White board for tmmrrw knowing I have not time to unload it from the truck. I am very busy finishing off two great k'tchens for Mon morn. We have plenty white board till Wed nxt week. Bastard !.

Thankyou for all the great advice. I know your sick of me. :C

Tony.

[woodbe]

Only you know your employment prospects, so take that into consideration whatever you do. Most people need a job... I am not a lawyer or harassment expert, so if you find my advice is broken, you get to keep both pieces :)

If you can get another job easily, deliver an ultimatum in writing to the boss and the apprentice to cut it out or you're out of there. If they don't cut it out, Go get another job. Simple.

If you don't think you would get a job easily, you still have to do something, so for starters, start looking around. Plan to get another job. You might just find a better job with not much hassle, and then you can get out of the abusive situation and improve your lot. Changing employment is daunting, but getting out from under a cloud like this is important for you own well being.

In any case, start a diary of the events as they occur, and get ready to go see a workplace harassment official. Tell the boss and the apprentice what you are doing. Let them know you are sick of it, and you will take action. Best bet is to do this with a letter, delivered and explained to the boss by you in the presence of a witness (someone you know who is not an employee or close friend of the boss or apprentice). Tell the boss that you expect him to behave, and you expect him to control the apprentice's behavior as well. They may moderate their behavior, or it might get worse. The boss may try and sack you! You have to be prepared to carry out your threat in these cases, so don't start this if you are not prepared to follow through.

Ultimately, as soon as you start standing up to these bullies, you are going to change the relationship. It's not going to be nice. Things will get worse, and a lot of stress will happen, and you will have to be firm. You have to show them that you are stronger than them.

A new job is the easy solution.

Hope that helps!

woodbe.