Harassment in the workplace

[JJJ's Ulcer]

I'm very upset right now. My little brother is just out of college and working at his first real job. It took him a while to get a job in this recession and he needs it really badly. But there's a co-worker who is basically bullying him. She isn't his superior and she's even part-time as opposed to him working full-time, but she orders him around and belittles him. She's basically a stuck-up, 22 year old princess who takes her frustration out on him. I would never take this crap, but he's a much nicer guy than me and doesn't say anything back because he's worried about getting fired. He says he's gone to his manager but he just said "she's not your boss, so ignore her." But she's not stopping and today the poor guy was so upset when he walked through the door I got worried about what he'd do. I admire him for trying to stay professional, but I'm extremely frustrated he's not standing up for himself more. People get bullied in high-school, even college, but in 2012 they shouldn't have to put up with this crap at their job. So I'm wondering if there's any non-sexual harassment laws, specifically in Massachusetts, or nationwide ones that can help him. And no, he doesn't know I'm doing this. But I want to help the poor guy.

 

[Yurka]

Almost this exact situation happened to me. After I graduated from college in 2010 I started interning with a company I was very excited to work for in the industry I wanted to work in. I began interning with 2 others and was happy. My immediate boss then quit and was replaced by one of my fellow interns, a girl a year younger than me. I gave my all every day, went the extra mile, took the initiative but it all went unnoticed. My "boss" would play on facebook all day, order me around, and send me to do busy work just because she liked her new position of authority. Long story short, after my internship was over, the company offered me a position, one I would generally absolutely love and in the industry I want to work in, but due to my "boss" I had to decline. Life's just unfair sometimes.

 

[craigdbfan]

There should be a hotline for that kind of stuff at work.

If he feels he's being bullied he can also talk to a superior higher up in the chain than his manager and see if they can do anything about it.

If none of that works he'll have to ride it out. Another method that might work is if he gains a good deal of muscle mass. Both women and men don't really bother guys like that at work.

 

[StrainedEyes]

Is there an HR department he can contact, instead of going to his manager?

 

[craigdbfan]

Yeah there should be an HR hotline which should help him. It's been available in all the jobs I've been in.

 

[tzarinna]

The HR # should be somewhere readily accessible, such as the employee break room.

I hope your brother can keep it together and not snap.

 

[Immortalfire]

There's nothing more annoying than being stuck with a brat co-worker. But yeah, this is something human resources needs to handle.

 

[PemLam]

Going to HR is definitely the thing to do, however it would probably be a good idea for him to tell his manager he intends to do it...not for approval, just as a courtesy. The HR department will likely contact his boss or his boss's superior to find out what steps have been taken to fix the situation and it's not good for a boss to get blindsided.

 

[roach]

Proper course of action is the confront the person about their behavior. Tell them how its wrong and give them a chance to change their ways. Document the discussion.
If it continues confront the person again but this time bring someone with you to be a witness to the conversation. Document the discussion.
If it continues past that then go to HR. Now you have a stronger case and it gets beyond being a he say/she say situation.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

Proper course of action is the confront the person about their behavior. Tell them how its wrong and give them a chance to change their ways. Document the discussion.
If it continues confront the person again but this time bring someone with you to be a witness to the conversation. Document the discussion.
If it continues past that then go to HR. Now you have a stronger case and it gets beyond being a he say/she say situation.

Yeah, that's the best course of action. Make sure he's documenting everything. Save any bad emails or IM chats, anything written down should be saved. Can never have to much back up evidence. It could very well be that she's threatened by him, especially being part time when he's full time. Does this girl have a relative or a friend that helped her get the job? Could be she thinks she's bulletproof if she has a relative or good friend there in a position of power.

 

[roach]

the main thing is does she know she's being a b*tch

I had a friend who was from England and I used to call him Harry Potter...didnt help he had glasses. I thought it was jokes but he took it seriously and I apologized...when he finally confronted me about it...after 6 months

 

[Lunar_Wolf]

Tell him to get her alone and say ''You talk down to me again *****, I'll staple your lips to the god damn table''. But we have to be civil, don't we? I would say try to record any conversations, they way she's busted.

 

[enterthemadness]

If this were a sitcom...if only...one thing would lead to another in the supply closet.

Someone had 2 say it.

 

[Ponyboy]

If he doesn't have to work directly with her, there's nothing wrong with saying "Look... you and I don't work well together... so stay away from me, period." If your brother can't stand up for himself, then he can just grin and bear the torture... or he can go to Human Resources, or whoever is above his boss in the chain of command and file a complaint against this girl in writing.

 

[Gotham Knight]

Meet future internet forum user JJJ's Ulcer. A concerned older brother. Why you ask? Well his little brother, has just obtained a new job. The job to be disrespected, bullied and harassed by his new boss. A very stuck-up and wealthy young woman. Unfortunately for JJJ's younger brother. This side of his boss, is the best side of her. And soon, he will see the other side. The dangerous side. For he is going to get a promotion very soon. A promotion laid far below his feet. Far down to the earth's core and beyond. Far down to what's only known as.......