Sue Your Boss?
By: Mick, September 1st, 2007
There is a great editorial in the Baltimore Sun today entitled When Bosses Go Bad. The piece talks in-depth about the idea of proposed legislation in at least four states that would allow employees to sue their bosses for creating “abusive work environments.” The piece talks about the dangers of allowing that type of legislation to open doors for frivolous and impossible-to-disprove lawsuits filed by disgruntled employees.
My understanding of the article is that the “abusive work environments” are to be understood and evaluated on an emotional level. Clearly, that would likely result in some problematic legal issues for everyone involved.
I tend to agree with the opinion of the editorial, which is that this would be dangerous legislation and that we should probably try to steer clear of opening up this Pandora’s Box. The bottom line is that most of us view work as little more than a four-letter word. Many people hate their jobs and their bosses. If all that was needed to “get back” at your boss or your employer was an unscrupulous lawyer, the American labor force would likely cease to exist. We’d all be serving jury duty for the millions of lawsuits that would immediately be filed.
Tags: abusive bosses, sue your boss, workplace harassment, workplace lawsuits
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September 7th, 2007 at 11:25 am
In my work space ,my work place. It is and was more than an abusive work place working for my supervisor. It was hostile.No matter what or when or how had you worked I was threaten daily with I will find someone else to do your job and fire you.I was called names and had dirty fowl jokes made presented before me. He had other employess come and threaten me with bodily injury. He himsele would find me ,seek me out ,with verbal abuse and threats of physical violence,threats of how he would see I would never get a job anywhere,he has the power ,he is the Boss.I’m 60 years old and have and wanted to retire from my job, how ever that didn’t happen with all his authority and threats I quit due to the hospital emerency rooms from high blood pressure and heart condtions and mental abuse he has caused.Im sure now there is someone else on his list because no one is going to stop him.I have been to the upper mangemnt levels and they laughed and said he is only kidding,he likes to play with you cause you take it so serious.I turn in my resignation for 20 sept 07.It is really strange how mangement can have their way with people,I have seen it over n over .I worked hard to know my craft and how to improve my skills over the years.I think management needs a wake up call.As we no longer have the union back bone in this country that would represent the employee when he was being charged with being late for one minute,she or he had a representive to fight to keep their jobs,being late one minute after working for fifteen years is no excuss to terminate ones positon
September 7th, 2007 at 11:41 am
Thanks for your post. That sounds like a very troubling employment situation. I am by no means qualified to offer any kind of advice on your situation, but I think it would be wise for you to at least speak to an attorney that specializes in employment law. Even if you are unable to pursue a traditional civil suit, there may be some course of action. Best of luck to you.
January 1st, 2009 at 4:29 pm
protectabed chicago has the worst cfo in the industry…..she and the company should be ashamed