Fru-Gal Friends

Subject: Work issue... Fri 28 Dec 2007, 12:51 pm

I find myself for the 2nd night in a row leaving work in tears. I've been verbally (and physically, though not seriously) abused by a female cleaner at work, who speaks broken/limited english. It's been very distressing, I'm sitting here typing at 3:45am and still trying to calm down...
This is not the first, second or third time she has assaulted staff...I have no idea why she's still employed. This was my first experience of her tantrums though. Her husband also works there and he is pretty quiet.
I left a letter of complaint before leaving last night and rang today and was assured she would not be in the store tonight as the cleaning company's boss had been telephoned.
But she showed up and was aggressive towards me again...banging an upturned chair into me as I sat at 2am eating my lunch in the tea-room. Not wanting to create a bigger issue...I clocked out and left...I cannot work in conditions like this...stressing over what's coming next...
DH is going into the store tomorrow when it opens to speak to management, he also wants me to go and file a police complaint.....*sigh*....I suppose there's a first time for many of life's experiences....I feel bad for leaving while there was still a lot of work to be done but at the same time I didn't want the situation to explode as it did the previous night when we had a major altercation....
I have no idea what will develop....she's previously assaulted a few male staff members.
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~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Moderator Age : 27 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 1790

Oh my Skin...that's awful! What's that ladies issue? Does she think you did something to her? I think you are doing the right thing...and I'm glad you have your DH"S support. I'll be praying that all goes well!

Subject: Re: Work issue... Fri 28 Dec 2007, 4:11 pm

Geez, is this woman the bride of Godzilla? She definitely has anger issues and to attack male employees, too? I hope this all turns out for you, skin. You're too nice a person to be treated this way. Good luck and let us know what happens.

Subject: Re: Work issue... Fri 28 Dec 2007, 8:57 pm

Geez, Skin, so sorry to hear this... sounds like you are doing all the right things... no one should have to work under those conditions and it is she that should be leaving, not you. I have to agree with your husband's idea of the police if nothing else is being done to stop this woman....
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Love is a fruit, in season at all times and within the reach of every hand. Anyone may gather it and no limit is set. ~ Mother Teresa

Subject: Re: Work issue... Fri 28 Dec 2007, 10:26 pm

You do not have to put up with this Skin .. file the police report ...
Bullies get worse if no one stops them ..

you are to good of person to be treated this way .
we are praying for you Carmel
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Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Subject: Re: Work issue... Fri 28 Dec 2007, 11:54 pm

Thanks for the kind words of support ladies.

DH went into the store today and spoke with the duty Manager, he also went to speak with the Police who said I'd need to come in to file a complaint.

I have just finished typing up a 2 page statement detailing all the altercations. I've printed 3 copies, one for me, one for my employer and one to take to the police station.

The cleaners arrived at work today with a statement while my husband had returned for a 2nd visit. They had a totally different story. I had witnesses to a few of the incidents, one physical (there were 3 physical against me in total, 1 involved a chair).

The duty Manager informed her she was not welcome back at the store and they'd be terminating her contract. He told my husband they have video footage of her grabbing a male staff member by his shirt collar, I'd been told by someone else that she'd slapped another one. My complaint will be the 2nd formal one regarding this particular cleaner. Perhaps they need to gather sufficient evidence to uphold any actions they take. Who knows....I'm trying to see it from everyone's point of view....

Thanks so much for listening, it's been very upsetting to experience.
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~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Moderator Age : 27 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 1790

I'm glad that you are able to get this all straightened out, Skin. People should not be allowed to treat others the way you were treated and get away with it.

Subject: Re: Work issue... Sat 29 Dec 2007, 10:21 am

Thanks kim. It's not over yet, she's gotten away with worse before, time will tell. Perhaps they'll transfer her instead, although that would just be moving the problem elsewhere. I do not wish for anyone to lose their job but that kind of aggressive behaviour is intimidating and unacceptable. I'm not prepared to back down and tolerate it.
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~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Subject: Re: Work issue... Sat 29 Dec 2007, 12:29 pm

Skin you have to stand up for yourself. I glad they are doing something about her
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Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Subject: Re: Work issue... Sat 29 Dec 2007, 8:42 pm

Good for you, Skin, for hanging in there...the time taken to resolve this has been ridiculous but there are always policies, etc. to follow to minimize chance of lawsuits... had some challenges with sexual harrassment in previous jobs, not the same thing but still frustrating and hard to work under those conditions.... hope all gets better soon for you...
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Love is a fruit, in season at all times and within the reach of every hand. Anyone may gather it and no limit is set. ~ Mother Teresa

Subject: Re: Work issue... Sat 29 Dec 2007, 8:56 pm

Skin
I'm glad that you filed a formal complaint. Bullies count on people not wanting to create a scene or see anyone lose their job. You don't deserve to be treated like that. And remember, by stepping up and making a complaint, you are helping to keep others from the same kind of trouble and pain.

Subject: Re: Work issue... Sat 29 Dec 2007, 9:53 pm

I honestly am so sorry that you have had this terribly frightening experience at work. Workplace violence is never ok, and must be reported, so you are doing the right thing. She obviously has serious anger issues, and is a great danger to her co-workers. I am praying for you.
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MARY

Subject: Re: Work issue... Sat 29 Dec 2007, 10:47 pm

Oh my Carmel. This is terrible. I am so very sorry you had to deal with this. I can only imagine the anger this woman apparently has inside for some reason. You did the right thing! I am proud of you for standing up. Bullies need to be taught that they are in the wrong
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Vicki

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Subject: Re: Work issue... Sun 30 Dec 2007, 4:49 am

Thanks ladies, I appreciate the support and advice. I do not wish any other employees to have to endure this either, action should've been taken for the previous incidences which didn't involve me. The cleaner's supervisor visited the store yesterday and queried why the cleaner had behaved this way towards me...I feel this was implying that I had provoked her which was definitely not the case, on either evening. The previous incidents should speak volumes. I know many of our support networks were contacted yesterday and our overall store Manager was back today (he'd missed all the action) so a lot depends on what he intends to do, I haven't seen him yet. In 25 years of working I've NEVER experienced aggression like this. I'm not back to work until next Wednesday evening so I'll update you on what transpired. I'll be glad of the few days away...what a nice end to the year, eh? Rolling Eyes

On a brighter note...DH took me out for a nice steak dinner yesterday evening, to cheer us both up...we needed the splurge Laughing

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~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Moderator Age : 27 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 1790

I'm gald you enjoyed the dinner...your DH is taking good care of you!