Is yelling at work appropriate? Isn't this verbal abuse and illegal?

[vaporleak]

There has been a lot of drama at my job lately, and today, I actually had the dreaded "office * * * * * ", yell at me, HARDCORE. I calmly said, "Under no circumstances are you ever allowed to scream at me, and when you calm down we can talk about this later." Then I walked away... and I think while walking away I should have grabbed a shovel so I could go dig my own grave. Did I mention she is one of my bosses? Isn't it illegal to verbally assault someone at work? If she fires me over this do I have any legal backing? I'm really worried because everyone is afraid of her, and I think I may have been the only person to stick up to her in a long long time. Yet, I also don't think it's ever acceptable for anyone to abuse you mentally or physically, so I'm not sure how I could possibly get fired over this. Any advice would help. Thanks.

[guynextdoor]

If you felt threaten then yes you could take legal actions.

[Kaytie]

That is completely unacceptable and unprofessional. Document everything to protect yourself in the event of anything happening. Take note of any witnesses as well.

 

Oddly, she may end up respecting you more if you are the first to stand up to her - it's happened to me.

[absinthe]

Screaming and yelling by a superior to a subordinate, IMO, isn't actionable, unless it can be proved that they're being discriminatory, due to gender, race or religion. Also, it can be actionable if there's something embedded within the employer/employee guidelines and policies manual, in reference to unacceptable forms of harassment, etc.

 

Reliant on what happened, historical pattern of your behaviour and how your approach is construed, might be grounds for termination for being insubordinate, while being disciplined.

 

Btw, I agree that yelling and screaming in the workplace is wrong but whether it crosses the line from a legal perspective, isn't something anyone can answer beyond getting an opinion from a legal professional.

[mandyc]

I think you handled this the best way possible under the circumstances. You were calm and direct and didn't say or do anything disrespectful. You stood up for yourself and let her know that she could come to you when she had calmed down. If she fires you for that then yes I think you could most definatley file a suit against her.

[jul-els]

I had a boss who was a little crazy go off the wall on me one time. She took away all of my side work as a way of "punishing" me, which is how I made most of my money. I'm not a child, and I don't need to be disciplined. I basically told her where she could put her job. Only time I've done anything like that. Sometimes it's warranted. You can't let people disrespect you just because you work for them, although people do all the time. Doesn't make it right.

[thejigsup]

You cannot legally penalize her, but that was not professional. Bosses yell all the time. As long as they do not physically threaten you, they have done nothing wrong legally. You can quit, but most bosses yell and there is no law against it.

[Dako]

You handled it well.

I'd have done the same, simply not responding to what was shouted, but that it was shouted.

[winchester3]

I yell and get yelled at at work all the time, so does everyone else in my shop. Its more or less the way things go. You'll be fine.

[anggrace]

Way to stand up for yourself!

 

The art director at my place of work is always yelling at the employees, like a little kid who had his ball stolen. It's pathetic. Im surprised by how many people put up with it. It's a good thing he doesn't try it with me.

[absinthe]

Good management practice is to praise in public, constructively criticize in private. Time to polish up your resume, not because you're going to get fired but because this isn't a healthy environment to spend 40 hours a week within.

[anggrace]

I yell and get yelled at at work all the time, so does everyone else in my shop. Its more or less the way things go. You'll be fine.

 

I understand what your saying. It's like a big dysfunctional family where I work as well. But it's unprofessional.

[Dako]

I had a few bosses that would yell at me, but I got used to it.

One even turned up in my life years later. I drew his blood in the lab.

I was gentle.

[anggrace]

I had a few bosses that would yell at me, but I got used to it.

One even turned up in my life years later. I drew his blood in the lab.

I was gentle.

 

He might not of been so lucky if your present boss had been yelling at you earlier that day.

[Kaytie]

Good management practice is to praise in public, constructively criticize in private. Time to polish up your resume, not because you're going to get fired but because this isn't a healthy environment to spend 40 hours a week within.

Exactly.

 

Even in environments that I've worked in where yelling is acceptable it has never been directed towards me. I don't tolerate it - period.

 

I'd start looking for a place that isn't toxic.

[rms128]

Hi-- this is my first post! I joined mostly for these forums....

 

that being said... I am currently under very similar circumstances. My boss yells at us all the time. we are in an office. He once yelled at us at a meeting and told us we were all "worthless" and "replaceable" . He then proceeded to tell us that he makes "more money then all of (us) put together." He refers to other workers as names I cannot print here. He makes sexual analogies all the time that even offend the male employes. I went to HR and they basically implied that they were afraid of him too (he has a habit of screaming at whoever questions him. I just called corporate HR today. They said that I need to start documenting EVERYTHING-- which I actually already started a week ago. They also want me to get other employees to write up testomonials. There is no way you or anyone should have to put up with that crap!

[Dako]

He might not of been so lucky if your present boss had been yelling at you earlier that day.

 

LOL!

She was a screeching virago from hell!

I was just bound by ethics.

[vaporleak]

I understand that my boss only lashed out at me once, we've all had our bad days (still unacceptable to yell). Here is the thing, it doesn't bother me that she just did it to me, but that she does it to others, frequently, especially to the new people. Interns will look at her like a deer in headlights because they don't see it coming, it's pathetic. I'm the type of person to walk up to someone and confront them for hitting their kid in public, I am NEVER a bystander in life, but I feel like one in my office. Oddly, by me watching this happen over and over, I'm a participant, and that makes me feel guilty. Instead of leaving my job I'd rather do something about it. I think I'm going to take rms's advice and record everything and have the others sign it.

[absinthe]

If you're going to take up arms against this particular boss, make sure you have other jobs you can put onto your resume. Burning bridges is not a great way to get new jobs, particularly if you're low on experience and need their reference.

 

I'm not saying this to dissuade you from doing this, more to caution you that if this is your field of expertise, causing waves like this isn't a good way to lay down a career path. What you want is rave reviews from every previous employer.