A co-worker of mine has been going through some problems at work the last several days. He wanted something changed in his pay (which is a simple thing to do and a simple request). Anyways, our boss flipped out because she thought he was being rude about it and she has been carrying on about the situation for several days now. (She can very nasty to the employees.) Something happened again today and she literally screamed at him at the top of her lungs in front of me. Then she stood at watched him for the rest of his shift today. This kid NEVER causes trouble. He is a little shy and does a great job. He gets along with all the co-workers. Our boss is just very mean and has a terrible attitude. She will pawn off most of her work on other employees so she can sit on her butt the entire time she is there. (She is the owners daughter- she is sort of in charge of the place.) She doesn't really bother me that much. I stay out of her way and just do my job. I am good at letting things go in one ear out the other. There is a lot of other things that go on there, but I don't have enough time to mention everything. Anyways, what should this co-worker do?

It might all blow over in a week or two, if not he might want to look for another job. Since she's the owner's daughter, it probably wouldn't do any good to complain. It's too bad no one used their phone to video her ranting at the poor young man.

I think he should look for a job regardless. Noone deserves to be treated like that and complaining won't help unless you have recorded her.

Not sure what the rules are concerning video recording so it might be illegal to record someone without their permission.

Wow, she's a big bully, and like all bullies, she preys on the weak. This is the problem with nepotism. It's often a no-win situation. Still, it's worth a shot. Has anyone considered telling her father that she brutalizes the employees? He just may care more than anyone realizes. Perhaps an anonymous letter.

Employee morale is important, and if people are afraid to open their mouths, nobody wins, especially the customers/clients. I'm not a violent person, but I'd love to sock her right in her big mouth.

I'm not a violent person, but I'd love to sock her right in her big mouth.


Then you would of been fired on the spot possibly arrested for assault. In the reality the work place isn't fair. You just work, keep you mouth shut, collect your pay check, be gratefull you have a job, and then go home.

I like the anonymous letter idea. I do think the owners should know what is going on. May I ask what kind of business it is?

Then you would of been fired on the spot possibly arrested for assault. In the reality the work place isn't fair. You just work, keep you mouth shut, collect your pay check, be gratefull you have a job, and then go home.


Agreed. Unless you are the 1% of employees who has a nearly impossible to replace skill set, you are replaceable--especially in this economy.

Your boss sounds like a jerk, but her father is the company owner. Blood is thicker than water. He'll figure it out eventually when the economy gets better and his good workers find better jobs and he's stuck with the second-stringers.

BTW, an anonymous letter is childish and cowardly. The boss will most likely assume it came from the poor kid she harassed and make his daily life even worse than it is.

Long story short (too late, I know!) brush up your resume, obtain skills to make you more marketable, and leave when you get a better opportunity.

I thought it was the mother who was the owner.

But after thinking about it, I don't think a letter is going to work though.

Should definitely start looking for another job though.

brush up your resume, obtain skills to make you more marketable, and leave when you get a better opportunity.

That's good advice.

That's good advice.

Thank you, janet42. I'm glad that I learned something during those years in HR. ;)

Then you would of been fired on the spot possibly arrested for assault. In the reality the work place isn't fair. You just work, keep you mouth shut, collect your pay check, be gratefull you have a job, and then go home. Duh oh. :dizzy: I, I had no clue. I thought I could just punch anyone in the mouth, anytime I felt like it, with no repercussions.

I was saying what I would love to do, not what I would actually do or even considering doing. And you knew that, but you couldn't let an opportunity go to waste to dish out a lecture, no matter how ridiculous you sound. Anyone with normal intelligence could tell I was just speaking off the cuff.

BTW, an anonymous letter is childish and cowardly.

Often, that's just what's needed when a relative is going ballistic. Anyone who steps forward to say what's going on will get fired, so why not tell the owner what's going on in a private note.

why not tell the owner what's going on in a private note.

It won't work the owner will show the other co-worker the note even though it's private and nothing will be done.

Thank you, janet42. I'm glad that I learned something during those years in HR. ;)

You're welcome. How many years have you worked in Human Resource? I bet you saw a lot of things.

You're welcome. How many years have you worked in Human Resource? I bet you saw a lot of things.

LOL! I was only in it for 3.5 years, but I could write a book about it. The company that I worked for was also a non-profit, which always means extra office politics and drama.

A reality show set in my former workplace would have been ratings gold! :crazy:

It won't work the owner will show the other co-worker the note even though it's private and nothing will be done.
What, do you have a magic ball there or something? Perhaps the owner will do the right thing. You don't KNOW.

Duh oh. :dizzy: I, I had no clue. I thought I could just punch anyone in the mouth, anytime I felt like it, with no repercussions.

I was saying what I would love to do, not what I would actually do or even considering doing. And you knew that, but you couldn't let an opportunity go to waste to dish out a lecture, no matter how ridiculous you sound. Anyone with normal intelligence could tell I was just speaking off the cuff.

(I try not to respond directly to many of your posts but you are often so right on the money). Your response shows what a decent and kind person you are. Not everyone will jump in and help someone being victimized by a bully BUT YOU WILL. And I should know. Because that's exactly what you did for me when I was a newbie here. You are honestly one of the most decent people I know. Without you this board would be a sh**show with all the whack jobs and trolls who try to hijack the quality (and safety) of SO. I've fantasized A LOT WORSE than you what I'd like to do to some bullies. But yes(duh ah o) I'd KNOW I'd get arrested and jailed for assault (with a weapon). Bullies are the bottom of the barrel of human scum, and when they get their cumuppence, no one is happier than I. That boss sounds horrible but maybe one day she'll pick on the wrong person.

On a practical note, sometimes bullies are hard to fight. Especially when they control your paycheck. Sometimes the best thing to do is try to get out; often you end up someplace MUCH better because you've made the decision you're not going to take it. At least that's what happened for me.

(I try not to respond directly to many of your posts but you are often so right on the money). Your response shows what a decent and kind person you are. Not everyone will jump in and help someone being victimized by a bully BUT YOU WILL. And I should know. Because that's exactly what you did for me when I was a newbie here. You are honestly one of the most decent people I know. Without you this board would be a sh**show with all the whack jobs and trolls who try to hijack the quality (and safety) of SO. I've fantasized A LOT WORSE than you what I'd like to do to some bullies. But yes(duh ah o) I'd KNOW I'd get arrested and jailed for assault (with a weapon). Bullies are the bottom of the barrel of human scum, and when they get their cumuppence, no one is happier than I. That boss sounds horrible but maybe one day she'll pick on the wrong person.

I agree. Janice helped me when I was being bullied in 2004. She will help anyone. She has a kind heart. Anyone who knows Janice clearly knew what she meant. She would never actually hit someone.

I agree. Janice helped me when I was being bullied in 2004. She will help anyone. She has a kind heart. Anyone who knows Janice clearly knew what she meant. She would never actually hit someone.

Totally. I adore Janice and it was obvious her remarks were rhetorical.

Thanks Rich and Jenny, for the sweet and kind words, and right back at you. I'd like to hug you both, and I mean that literally.

:bighug:

[QUOTE=Janice]Thanks Rich and Jenny, for the sweet and kind words, and right back at you. I'd like to hug you both, and I mean that literally.

:bighug:

You get what you give and that's why there's many of us who love you on the boards.

Thanks Rich and Jenny, for the sweet and kind words, and right back at you. I'd like to hug you both, and I mean that literally.

:bighug:

You're welcome. :) :hug:

I feel so sorry for your friend, First poster. He must feel so terrible. Wants a raise and is chewed out. I had a job in my early days and I was so shy and a woman I worked with would say things I hated. I would cry and tell my mom. She like Janice "would want to go over and sock the woman". I would have love her to do it but down deep felt it would make me look a like a little kid. Also it was a bit violent to do. Maybe she would have given her a good talk. I would cry again with other comments. The strange thing was NO ONE would help me out. I had to deal with it all on my own. I felt it was tad on the bullying me. I eventually left and today, the old bat is still alive.

I feel so sorry for your friend, First poster. He must feel so terrible. Wants a raise and is chewed out. I had a job in my early days and I was so shy and a woman I worked with would say things I hated. I would cry and tell my mom. She like Janice "would want to go over and sock the woman". I would have love her to do it but down deep felt it would make me look a like a little kid. Also it was a bit violent to do. Maybe she would have given her a good talk. I would cry again with other comments. The strange thing was NO ONE would help me out. I had to deal with it all on my own. I felt it was tad on the bullying me. I eventually left and today, the old bat is still alive.

Again, Janice did not say she would actually hit anyone. It was just a thought of what she would like to do. No one is suggesting that anyone become physical over the situation.

Deep down I don't anyone would seriously want to physically hurt someone. Let's face it , some ones job will be lost and you could go to jail. Strange ,how we say things but down deep know we can't do it.