For the best workplace productivity, your supervisor should be an ally in the office. However, there are times when employees and employers come into conflict. If you feel your boss is threatening you, be it with termination, the law or even physical violence, do not react too quickly or rashly. It is better for you to examine the situation carefully and decide on the best plan of action.
If you are physically threatened, you should not continue to work at your current job. No supervisor has the right to be violent towards his or her employees. If your boss acts on a violent threat, you may wish to file assault charges. Depending on how you are harmed, you may also be able to make a workers’ compensation claim. If it comes to a lawsuit, work with a reputable work injury attorney like those at Rispoli & Borneo. It is never acceptable for an employer to be violent towards an employee or vice versa. Thankfully, in the US, most employers know and observe this, so the likelihood of such an incident occurring in this era is small.
If you are being threatened either with the law or with an action that may violate the law, first ascertain if your situation does in fact have legal repercussions. Oftentimes confusion arises regarding widespread workplace practices versus government-protected workers’ rights. Simply because a work policy is standard in most arenas, does not mean a boss is legally obligated to observe it. This kind of misconception often occurs around ideas such as paid vacation days, fair treatment, or a warning before termination. There are some instances where we should consult with a lawyer quickly, such as on-the-job injuries, which, in the state of New Jersey, may call for a NJ workers’ compensation lawyer. However, be aware that, even if your situation is a legal matter, you must proceed carefully. Law proceedings take time and almost always create tension between opposing parties. At first, your employer may not realize he or she is violating the law. Communicating this without conveying blame is a good way to curtail any conflict.
If your supervisor has made you feel unsafe for any reason, you have many options in seeking resolution. The first action should always be to speak calmly and rationally with your supervisor. Imagine the situation from an outside perspective. Would the threat you perceived appear real to others? In addressing the incident later, would you appear calm and fair? Once you can answer these questions with a “yes,” speak to your supervisor. A simple conversation may be enough to clear the air. If not, you may proceed with the following actions, ranging from first to last resort.
- Speak to your supervisor’s superior, explaining when, how and why you felt intimidated.
- File a dated, written report, detailed as you can be while seeming impartial.
- File a lawsuit. If your situation has not improved, consult with a lawyer about your rights.
Nobody should feel threatened at work but if you do, we hope that a conversation is all you need to feel safe again.