Shouldered by a supervisor - Page 2 - Brown Cafe

Dustyroads · 09-10-2009, 07:58 PM

Here in the Kansas district there is a zero tolerance policy for violence in the workplace. He would be gone here, walked out of the building. In fact, in our district, he would be gone for his threatening, hostile and vulgar language directed at you.

Maybe things are different in other parts of the country, but I would say that his job is in your hands.

DS · 09-10-2009, 08:03 PM

Red,I agree with tooner that you have always come across like an honest stand up guy .It occurred to me as I read your post,that if a supervisor can get away with not responding to a seasoned veterans request for help in making service on those 10:30 commits,he is already guilty of not doing his job.It scares me to think what havoc he would wreak on a new driver trying to reach seniority.The shoulder incident, was childish and
unprofessional,reminds me of a schoolyard bully that needs to see the principle.I guess any earlier "disagreements" you've had with this sup will determine what path to take next.We have seen many drivers get fired for silly drummed up reasons.Drivers with wives and family.Workplace intimidation is not a good base for anyones code of ethics,and this sup needs a wake up call.It would be great if you could get him help.
If he won't listen, help him, up to, and including dismissal.
Anyways,you are fine,enjoy your holiday.

BLACKBOX · 09-10-2009, 08:32 PM

This is what I would do. You don't need to address this situation with the sup,CM or DM. Talk to your HR person saying you want to report physical contact with another employee. On your day off, go to your local PD and file a simple assault report against this person (you need to get this on record).

If this person is not disciplined to your liking, talk to your lawyer about filing suit against UPS for workplace violence. I bet you, UPS will not want this going public and will settle out of court plus they will boot this sup as soon as the facts become clear.

I wouldn't take the advice of people who say take your vacation and come back like nothing has happened. Make this guy pay.....

dragon · 09-10-2009, 09:07 PM

Sounds like to me someone stood up to 705red and now he is pissed...just my opinion.

satellitedriver · 09-10-2009, 10:24 PM

Red,
I know, and respect, that you are a stand up guy.
All the explanations of the day mean little to me, that is just SOP at UPS.
What bothers me is the shoulder touch.
Our lives are different, I am old and you are young with a young family to care for, so my point of view may be different.
I have no regard, or respect, for PC behavior when it comes to physical contact. I would have turned that Sups ass into a dust mop.

MC4YOU2 · 09-10-2009, 11:14 PM

Red, only mistake you can make is to do nothing. Any action you take as far as having third party involvement is doing everyone involved a big favor. You and your co workers deserve better. So does UPS. File, report, call, notify. Something. Imho. Good luck man.

dannyboy · 09-11-2009, 03:53 AM

Red

I agree with Brown suit. Vacation time is so few and far between that it is precious. Let it wait till next week when you are back.

I also agree, while calling the police might sound dramatic and seem a response to the situation, I really dont think that in the long run that will solve anything for you. But what I would do is see what action the manager takes first. If nothing, then call the 1800 number. That way, you allowed the local manager to clean his own house before you brought in corp. But I would let him know that the clock is ticking.

d

pickup · 09-11-2009, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 705red

My manager said he would address this situtation, should I take his word or should I go to the police department and file assault charges on this sup.

It is really hard for any of us to give specific advice. Only you know the exact details of the situation and only you know if the manager who said he was going to address the situation is a stand up guy.

I would ask what would you do if this happened to another hourly and you became aware of the situation as a steward? Perhaps the answer should be the same as what you should do in your own case.

Whatever route you chose, if you feel that you are too close to your own particular situation, I would suggest that you engage another steward to act on your behalf as much or as little as you need him to. He would be able to defend your position without as many emotional attachments to the situation as you have. You're going to have to tell this story again and relive the bullsh-t and violation in your mind as you do the retelling. That might disqualify you as being the guy that is suppose to represent your best interests and as the guy who can navigate through the bullsh-t landmines the shoulder-bumping sup lays down as defense between you and getting to the truth.

Just a suggestion and nothing more. Anyway , once you are on your vacation, don't let it bother you. You'll probably come back in a better frame of mind that will allow you to deal with this better.

Take it easy.

feederdriver06 · 09-11-2009, 05:54 AM

Do what ever you have to do to take this guys job. You will have the last laugh when he goes and files for unemployment. Go to the police and file the complaint. You really should have called on the spot via cellphone and caused a three ring circus at your building. Management will always tell the employee what he wants to hear. Don't trust that he will address the issue. You need to address the issue. I hope your witnesses will man up to the occasion. Being a package car driver its easy for management to F with you. They can do alot of evil S to make your days miserable. I'm sure that will be going through your witnesses heads.

Satellitedriver has the right idea ........sounds like someone needs a good stompin on - could always be done around the corner from work at a shopping center

brownmonster · 09-11-2009, 06:09 AM

This whole situation could have been avoided if the clowns running this company would get us loaded and on the road before 9:25. We will NEVER be able to compete leaving this late every day.

trouble maker · 09-11-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 705red

Yesterday morning at work the preload had a bad day and did not wrap on time. I asked for air help from my ft on car sup, he said I could deliver it no problem. I went to my manager and explained that it is 925am and I have 13 air stops and 2 ssi accounts that must be delivered by 1030 and I still have a 20 minute drive to the route.

He said that I was right and he would make sure my sup would get me help. Well guess what, it was too hard for my sup to find help, it meant that he would accutally require him working for his paycheck. I had 9 late air packages.

I had a total of 47 stops for 571 pieces, all boxex not many letters involved. I delivered airs until 11am and had to start delivering the grounds. I was way behind and could not finish my deliveries and take a lunch, so I decided I would work through alot of my lunch to make service to the customers this 1 time.

The sup shows up close to 2pm and I still have 8 stops for 30 pieces including 6 nda savers. He has a raised tone in his voice and told me I F****** him on purpose. He told me I was done at my 1st stop at 945, I tried explaining that i started scanning 87 packages which 35 of them were international express asd's and I had to enter the 6 digit shipper number for each one. He wanted nothing to do with having a discussion, it was his way and that it.

He procedded to tell me he was going to F*** me and take away my gravy work and screw me every chance he gets. I told him that after I was finished with this delivery that I was taking my full hour lunch and 10 minute break and he would have to cover my deliveries or pickups, because i start pick ups at 215ish. He walked away from me laughing.

I took my lunch and notified my manager what just happened, he pleaded with me to finish my deliveries and than take my lunch, which I did for my manager In driving with this driver the sup told him I was a J** off for taking my lunch and I would get what I had coming.

This morning the sup asked my preloader to go to the other end of the dock, and he approached me with his voice raised and called me a F****** liar and threw his shoulder into me. Others in the area heard him and had turned around just in time to see him assault me.

I repeated 3 times to get away from me and each time I raised my voice for others to hear me incase i had to defend my self. After the third request i walked away from the situtation so I would not be put in a violent position.

The sup continued to laugh at me and told me to drive the truck. I explained to my manager that i was assaulted and to stressed out to operate the truck safely. I asked for the police to be called and the dm to come to the center.

I was then taken to the clinic for a fitness for duty test. And UPS's doctor agreed that I was not safe to drive today because my pulse and blood pressure were high.

I was driven back to UPS and dropped off at my truck and told to go home and come back after my vacation which starts tomorrow.

My manager said he would address this situtation, should I take his word or should I go to the police department and file assault charges on this sup. If the shoe was on the other foot, we all know I would have been walked out in handcuffs!

Sorry its long I wanted to get all the details in the first time. This sup should be fired!

call atlanta

Work right slow and safe · 09-11-2009, 10:23 AM

I would let the ba know what happend so if they start to messing with you any one from your center or ups. this will be on file with the union and they can protect you more with a statement and put the ball in the court with the union and ups let them work it out and fix it

trickpony1 · 09-11-2009, 10:37 AM

Red-
I've seen this tactic by management on more than one occasion. Management will try to anger you, push your buttons, frustrate you and taunt you into "flying off the hook" and taking a swing at them. They have tried it on me.....it didn't work. They tried it on a PC driver, he took a swing, he's no longer employed.

Had you given this individual what he apparently truly deserves all he would have had to say is, ".....I lost my balance and Red went off on me." and it would have been over for you.

I would document everything. I would officially file something to document the events. As you already know, DO NOT trust your manager to follow through on his promise to do anything. As you know, this people are proficient liars and will cover for each other.

tonyexpress · 09-11-2009, 11:02 AM

Red,

I'm sorry to hear about this situation, nobody deserves or should tolerate this kind of treatment.

I agree with the advice of Dannyboy, pickup and BrownSuit, they sum it up pretty well in my opinion.

Enjoy your vacation and remember it's the first weekend of the NFL...Concentrate on trying to kick my butt in Fantasy football this weekend.

hurricanegunner · 09-11-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownmonster

This whole situation could have been avoided if the clowns running this company would get us loaded and on the road before 9:25. We will NEVER be able to compete leaving this late every day.

Amen.

satellitedriver · 09-11-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feederdriver06

Satellitedriver has the right idea ........sounds like someone needs a good stompin on - could always be done around the corner from work at a shopping center

I do not promote the use of violence, it never ends well.
My reaction, to a physical situation, is my way, and, I do not wish anyone to follow my example.
I was taught, by a very wise man, to never fight.
He also said that sometimes you must fight, in defense.
His greatest advice was to do it there and then.
Never would I blackjack someone over such a minor offense.

dino · 09-12-2009, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownmonster

This whole situation could have been avoided if the clowns running this company would get us loaded and on the road before 9:25. We will NEVER be able to compete leaving this late every day.

I would give anything to be on the road by 9:25. Never before 10:30 ; more often 10:45.

westsideworma · 09-12-2009, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diego

File, and good job holding back, if it were me I would have went to jail after nearly beating him to death.

Thats probably what he wanted, then he (supe) would be in the clear and Red would be gone. I don't know if I'd have been able to hold back if someone hit me at work...just don't know. Then again, I don't try to give them a reason to so I don't think that'll be an issue.

big_arrow_up · 09-12-2009, 07:42 AM

I would make it my mission to see that the shoulder blocking supervisor was on his way out the door. Permanently! Zero tolerance.

whiskey · 09-12-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 705red

You should put down the bottle! I have no problem exchanging words with anyone sups, managers, and higher ups! I do have a huge problem with violence and being shoved in the work place, and everything I wrote is the 100% truth. I gave a full descrption of what happened.

Even if someone does look at someone the wrong way it does not give anyone the right to touch another! I spoke with my manager this evening and he has until tomorrow morning to resolve this, or I will call corporate and press charges and serve him with a restraining order. No one should have to work under these conditions!

Well, a full descrption would probably fill a small book. Since hourlies and management work extremely close together, and thus the social interaction can easily become exceedingly complex. Don't forget, 12 hours of the day you are wearing brown.

over9five · 09-12-2009, 11:14 AM

Sorry, Red. I think your manager was giving you a line. If he was honestly going to take care of this, you would have already heard that the sup was fired.

I would NOT wait till vacation was over. I would file the assault report with the police NOW. And I would call the 800 number. There are posters everywhere at UPS saying we are a zero tolerance company in regards to workplace violence. I think that includes management (but who knows..).

Looking forward to hearing of this sups unemployment.

sweatyguy · 09-12-2009, 11:51 AM

Document everything....take an afternoon and write it or type it all down...witnesses...times...etc...Mail a certified delivery receipt letter to your regional HR office and CC everything to corporate HR office...Use the Teamster's free lawyer consult and spend a half hour bringing an attorney up to speed (if you don't have a family lawyer already). Explain to the lawyer if the situation is handled to your satisfaction by the company you work for, you won't require his services. Let HR know in your letter that you are doing this. It will be up to you to reign in the lawyer if things are resolved...don't let him/her pressure you into a frivelous lawsuit that could end in your dismissal through some arbitration...You can also file a complaint at the Police or Sheriff dept...No charges have to be pressed, you can just file an official record of perceived workplace violence, just in case it happens again, you want a record/slash history recorded...In your letter to HR, you need to explain that you have a genuine fear, not only for your personal safety, but also the safety of your family...You have to take the supervisor at his word...he says he is going to make your life a living hell...remember he has access to your social security number, things that could be used to steal your identity, your home address, your personal vehicle parked in the parking lot while you toil away doing your job.

On a personal note, I have wanted to strangle managers from time to time over the years, and Lord knows they have wanted to do the same to me lol, but I would never tolerate a direct threat or especially the physical stuff, nor would I ever threaten or physically intimidate a manager or employee...99.99% of the people I work with, hourly and management, would not want to work at a company that either ignores or condones the kind of behavior you described. Am I naive...? No. I know these kinds of things must happen daily. We work in a physically and mentally high stress job. I just personally don't tolerate it, and over the years, my work group knows this.

That said, unfortunately, intent means everything. I have been smacked, punched, prodded, and hollered at over my years at UPS, but these were always by friends celebrating the birth of a child, the culmination of a saftey milestone, talking trash about this team or that Nascar driver...the intent was never to inflict harm or mental duress. The situation you described had a different intent that should not be tolerated at a company of professionals.

Intent should also weigh in on your judgement. If your intent is "revenge" instead of truly protecting yourself and fellow employees, then frankly, you should be shown the door right along with the dude that threatened you. In your dealings with HR, if it appears revenge is your motive, I fear you will be in for a struggle. Its human nature to not want to help a prick out for revenge (even if it is your job), I know I would not jump to it if I were HR and got a letter demanding the head of your "enemy" on a platter lol...If you are truly stressed and upset about all this, I think you will get a lot further if you are honest and open about this in your letter...

Good luck and God Speed...

chema25 · 09-12-2009, 12:59 PM

where do you guys work? you start so late we are out by 9:00 start time is 8:45

tieguy · 09-12-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweatyguy

Document everything....take an afternoon and write it or type it all down...witnesses...times...etc...Mail a certified delivery receipt letter to your regional HR office and CC everything to corporate HR office...Use the Teamster's free lawyer consult and spend a half hour bringing an attorney up to speed (if you don't have a family lawyer already). Explain to the lawyer if the situation is handled to your satisfaction by the company you work for, you won't require his services. Let HR know in your letter that you are doing this. It will be up to you to reign in the lawyer if things are resolved...don't let him/her pressure you into a frivelous lawsuit that could end in your dismissal through some arbitration...You can also file a complaint at the Police or Sheriff dept...No charges have to be pressed, you can just file an official record of perceived workplace violence, just in case it happens again, you want a record/slash history recorded...In your letter to HR, you need to explain that you have a genuine fear, not only for your personal safety, but also the safety of your family...You have to take the supervisor at his word...he says he is going to make your life a living hell...remember he has access to your social security number, things that could be used to steal your identity, your home address, your personal vehicle parked in the parking lot while you toil away doing your job.

On a personal note, I have wanted to strangle managers from time to time over the years, and Lord knows they have wanted to do the same to me lol, but I would never tolerate a direct threat or especially the physical stuff, nor would I ever threaten or physically intimidate a manager or employee...99.99% of the people I work with, hourly and management, would not want to work at a company that either ignores or condones the kind of behavior you described. Am I naive...? No. I know these kinds of things must happen daily. We work in a physically and mentally high stress job. I just personally don't tolerate it, and over the years, my work group knows this.

That said, unfortunately, intent means everything. I have been smacked, punched, prodded, and hollered at over my years at UPS, but these were always by friends celebrating the birth of a child, the culmination of a saftey milestone, talking trash about this team or that Nascar driver...the intent was never to inflict harm or mental duress. The situation you described had a different intent that should not be tolerated at a company of professionals.

Intent should also weigh in on your judgement. If your intent is "revenge" instead of truly protecting yourself and fellow employees, then frankly, you should be shown the door right along with the dude that threatened you. In your dealings with HR, if it appears revenge is your motive, I fear you will be in for a struggle. Its human nature to not want to help a prick out for revenge (even if it is your job), I know I would not jump to it if I were HR and got a letter demanding the head of your "enemy" on a platter lol...If you are truly stressed and upset about all this, I think you will get a lot further if you are honest and open about this in your letter...

Good luck and God Speed...

I think tricks point that the sup will either deny contact or claim he stumbled into red will come true.

I for the first time also agree with trick that the sup is trying to provoke Red into a physical response. he's not a lone wolf. Someone sic'ed him on Red.
The expression take one for the team comes to mind where someone takes a punch for the team to get rid of a hot head or pain in the ass.

I don't condone these actions and have no problem speaking out against them. Red needs to take his vacation and see how management handled the response.

The problem will be that the "stumble" is going to be difficult to prove to be a deliberate act of physical violence.

Another problem will be that if the sup is disciplined Red may never know what was done.

Now playing devils advocate. Red take a stroke count. Its possible you may have given more abuse then you have so far gotten. If so then you may want to take that into consideration as you decide how far you want to push this.

If you have been a frequent loud hell raiser then people know who you are. this incident will be one where you will have trouble convincing people that you are a victim. This is an incident where your past will hurt you as you go for blood.
Even the words you post here may come back to haunt you.

If you like swimming in the devils pool then you have to expect that you will get burned from time to time.

Crazy as it sounds it may be bragging time. Don't be offended. You have done such a good job of being a pain in the ass that they have now resorted to playing stupid games to try to shut you up. Wear the event as a badge of honor rather then a slap in the face.

QKRSTKR · 09-12-2009, 01:37 PM

That's too bad red. No one should have to work under those conditions. Sucks that your blood pressure was that high you couldn't even drive. All for freakin packages. It's just crazy the stress were under.

Now for what to do. I would have called the police. Now I would file a police report. Remember HR is for the company, not you. They are window dressing and that's all. As long as they don't think they are going to be sued or whatever else, they could care less. They are all to cover the companys butt. Nothing more.

Good luck man and try to enjoy your vacation.