Co worker behavior is 'discomforting'

[evanrick]

My co-worker has no respect for anyone. He does not respect his supervisors and nearly everyone in our group do not like working with him.

He will take minor things and blow them out of proportion just to make himself look better and will use any opportunity to make his co-workers look bad.

He uses words like faggot, fag, gay, say people are gay in an accusatory manor and is generally a fucker.

Ever since I stopped humoring him, he has been 'out to get me' so I cant trust him at all anymore.

My superiors are 'aware' of his patterns but it seems like ANYBODY talking to him doesn't do anything.

I never know if I can be prepared for whatever he is doing, each time I try to act professional, he finds an opportunity to express his negative opinions.

 

[looseliam]

Make your concerns known to the higher-ups and/or HR. Start documenting everything - write down dates, times, who was present, what was said. Also note any formal complaints you've made.

This way, if you quit you can claim unemployment as you fled a hostile work environment. It may also be useful in any legal action you may bring against the company should you leave and need compensation.

 

[Seasoned]

Besides letting your supervisors know how he acts and speaks keep a journal of his behavior. He is creating a hostile work environment and needs to be controlled.

 

[looseliam]

Confront him, like a real man. Make it clear that he crossed a certain line and that you do not wish to take any more of his childish nonsense. What Seasoned and looseliam said are also great ideas! What's more! I would totally collect a lot of information about him, and his behaviour before confronting him!

Be sure someone else is around were you to do so in case he wants to say you threatened him or something.

 

[loveguys72]

All of the above. I believe WA state has laws regarding creation of a hostile work environment, and penalties for companies and their designees who don't act to control such behavior when brought to their attention. Document, document, document. If your superiors do nothing to correct the situation, take your documentation to your state labor relations board and file a formal complaint. Trust me, companies slapped down for this stuff once never let it happen again.

 

[AngolaZee]

Had a similar situation, it might help to have one of those cheap MP3 players which can also record voices (JVC). That way you have solid evidence in case of labour dispute process. You can also record yourself discussing this with your bosses. Remember it is crucial to have witnesses and solid evidence if you are going to be involved in a dispute process. You must never be in a "he said she said" position. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE AS IT CAN GET WORSE !!!

Your bosses might have also sent him to harass you. There is no way anyone can be that disrespectful to their bosses and keep their job, and not receive any warnings at the very least. Gay people are very often harassed in the work environment and when you complain you are made to feel like you are the abnormal one

 

[looseliam]

Had a similar situation, it might help to have one of those cheap MP3 players which can also record voices (JVC). That way you have solid evidence in case of labour dispute process. You can also record yourself discussing this with your bosses. Remember it is crucial to have witnesses and solid evidence if you are going to be involved in a dispute process. You must never be in a "he said she said" position. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE AS IT CAN GET WORSE !!!

Your bosses might have also sent him to harass you. There is no way anyone can be that disrespectful to their bosses and keep their job, and not receive any warnings at the very least. Gay people are very often harassed in the work environment and when you complain you are made to feel like you are the abnormal one

Be careful with recordings; some states have rather stupid wire tapping laws.

 

[evanrick]

so this is still going on. recently he has been talking about buying a gun, keeps talking about recent shootings, keeps talking about the end of the world, etc.

not sure if anyone is aware of those opinions but he does express them at work, i brush it off as hysteria but see it as a part of a pattern of his.

he stated he wants to buy a gun because of recent violence. i don't know who else he has told this to. i have learned to not give him any time of day and he reacts.

he gives me his opinions about what needs to be done to stop gun violence, keeps insinuating its other peoples job to notice someone is coming unglued.

not sure if he is baiting me into revealing my opinions about him but i do notice that he tends to think a few steps ahead when it comes to aggression.

he has made past statements about wanting to shoot up our workplace, but i don't know how seriously i should take those comments or if anyone would believe me if i told them what he says.

so essentially i cant tell if he is serious about what he talks about or does it for attention.

 

[ryanboy]

This fellow is dangerous in my opinion. You must place this problem in your boss' hands. Document everything and tell your boss if he doesn't do something about it you will go over his head and to HR within 30 days if not sooner. And do it; no empty threats. Don't get into arguments with this guy. Documentation is essential. Good luck.

 

[palemale]

so this is still going on. recently he has been talking about buying a gun, keeps talking about recent shootings, keeps talking about the end of the world, etc.

not sure if anyone is aware of those opinions but he does express them at work, i brush it off as hysteria but see it as a part of a pattern of his.

he stated he wants to buy a gun because of recent violence. i don't know who else he has told this to. i have learned to not give him any time of day and he reacts.

he gives me his opinions about what needs to be done to stop gun violence, keeps insinuating its other peoples job to notice someone is coming unglued.

not sure if he is baiting me into revealing my opinions about him but i do notice that he tends to think a few steps ahead when it comes to aggression.

he has made past statements about wanting to shoot up our workplace, but i don't know how seriously i should take those comments or if anyone would believe me if i told them what he says.

so essentially i cant tell if he is serious about what he talks about or does it for attention.

Most employers would fire someone who talks about shooting up the work place, or at the very least require them to see a shrink for an evaluation before letting them back. The problem is that people like him who, once they are fired, do come back with the guns.

 

[looseliam]

With all the hysteria, an anonymous call to the FBI about him should sort it out.

 

[Yngbldhwk]

It's amazing to me that the guy you're describing is still employed. If you're in a large company, all you should have to do is report the gun conversation to someone in your human resources department. That will definitely get their attention, something will be done about it, and it will happen very quickly. Trust me on that. Most companies will bend over backwards to avoid workplace violence and potential lawsuits arising therefrom, for obvious reasons.

 

[palemale]

I'd probably look for another job (unless your company does fire him and has armed guards).

 

[evanrick]

It's amazing to me that the guy you're describing is still employed. If you're in a large company, all you should have to do is report the gun conversation to someone in your human resources department. That will definitely get their attention, something will be done about it, and it will happen very quickly. Trust me on that. Most companies will bend over backwards to avoid workplace violence and potential lawsuits arising therefrom, for obvious reasons.

hes still employed because he uses intimidation as a form of coercion, and my direct manager isnt really equipped to deal because he is easily intimidated.

 

[evanrick]

Most employers would fire someone who talks about shooting up the work place, or at the very least require them to see a shrink for an evaluation before letting them back. The problem is that people like him who, once they are fired, do come back with the guns.

he mentioned buying a gun to me outside of work about a week ago, before that it was talk about owning guns and shooting them.

i know he has issues other than anger but seems to direct a lot of them towards authority and me because he sees me as an obstacle to increasing his own authority.