Dealing With a Psycho at Work

[Rammstein69]

I started a new job a couple of months ago, driving a transit bus. One of my fellow drivers has a wife who rides my bus pretty much all day. She is definately a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic, and her omnipresence drives me nuts. She babbles on and on about inane subjects and just talks, and talks, and talks. Tells me all the details of her life and how much she hates her husband, how jealous and insecure he is, how she's leaving him, etc, etc, etc...

Unfortunately, she REALLY likes me... ...and hubby KNOWS this. I try to ignore her as much as I can, without being overtly rude. Her hubby has had severe anger management issues with many of the other drivers in the past. He really hates his life, and having a wife like that, I can see why. For his birthday last week, she put a package of Ex-lax into his cake. Real nice... Problem is, he is never disciplined for his temper. The manager won't fire him because he's afraid that he'll come back and go postal.

He screamed at another newbie driver last week for something very small, and it was my turn tonight. I've always worked with (mostly) decent people, and generally can get along with everyone. In the middle of his expletive-laden tirade, I told him that's enough, and he has no right to talk to me that way. Then he comes back, rants some more and slams my door, amazing that the glass didn't break.

I called my boss and told him about this nutcase, and he doesn't even want to talk to him about his conduct tonight! This inmate definately runs this asylum. I feel like having this wacko charged with assault. I certainly don't want to work in this atmosphere. What do you guys think?

 

[DQ Guy]

Best to put pen to paper and make a formal complaint.
that way its on record.. and make a copie for yourself. best to get a witness.
and if that still doesn't work call the union boss. you are union right?..

or check out here http://employment.alberta.ca/cps/rde/xchg/hre/hs.xsl/4339.html

I believe every province has a site for these things.

 

[Rammstein69]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll be reporting this to the regional manager. This guy is a strictly by-the-book type of manager, who I'm thinking won't tolerate this kind of anti-social behaviour in the workplace. This company has a zero-tolerance harassment policy...but alas...no union.

 

[Horse99]

your union brethern

take it to the union...and watch them protect the bully!

your best bet is to nicely confront his wife (the problem) and tell her straight up not to talk to the driver....and why don't you request some transit security? Or is that just a myth?

 

[trackstar]

What led me to go back to school was dealing with a dick just like that at a job full of dumb assed neanderthals. This big retard ran the place, intimidated everyone, right up to the owner and everyone feared him. From the day I started there, he rode me like a mother fucker. As the new guy, I just took it.

Once my probationary period was up, I started hanging pictures of monkeys and gorillas all over with his name on it. Drove him fucking NUTS! Everyone laughed their asses off at the big dumb fuck. When he finally found out it was me, he came at me freaking out. I just sat there laughing my ass off which made him even more crazy. He didn't throw a punch, just stood there flipping out with me taunting him. When he came in the next day, he had a tire swing hanging at his station. He became a big joke in the shop and spent his day pouting at his station.

 

[Rammstein69]

take it to the union...and watch them protect the bully!

your best bet is to nicely confront his wife (the problem) and tell her straight up not to talk to the driver....and why don't you request some transit security? Or is that just a myth?

Well, like I said, we don't have a union here...but I agree regarding the protecting the bully line. Seen it before, sad but true.

I tried telling her politely that I need to concentrate on my driving. She just gets mad and bitchy, and then rants and raves some more.

Hmmm...transit security? On a city bus? I like that idea...seriously. The company's idea of security is providing us with clip-on ties. That way, if someone tries to strangle the driver, the tie just comes off... ooooo...I feel so safe now...

 

[Rammstein69]

What led me to go back to school was dealing with a dick just like that at a job full of dumb assed neanderthals. This big retard ran the place, intimidated everyone, right up to the owner and everyone feared him. From the day I started there, he rode me like a mother fucker. As the new guy, I just took it.

Once my probationary period was up, I started hanging pictures of monkeys and gorillas all over with his name on it. Drove him fucking NUTS! Everyone laughed their asses off at the big dumb fuck. When he finally found out it was me, he came at me freaking out. I just sat there laughing my ass off which made him even more crazy. He didn't throw a punch, just stood there flipping out with me taunting him. When he came in the next day, he had a tire swing hanging at his station. He became a big joke in the shop and spent his day pouting at his station.

Sounds like the shop steward we had when I was in the Teamsters some years ago. He wasn't that bad though, just liked to threaten to break peoples' kneecaps.

I think the difference with your example and my problem, is that my nutbar is seriously on the verge of a meltdown. Much of the time he's actually not bad to be around, then he just snaps like he's gonna kill someone. Manic-depressive? Bi-polar? Future mass-murderer? I don't know how to define him...

 

[HB40]

I think the difference with your example and my problem, is that my nutbar is seriously on the verge of a meltdown. Much of the time he's actually not bad to be around, then he just snaps like he's gonna kill someone. Manic-depressive? Bi-polar? Future mass-murderer? I don't know how to define him...

Have you tried befriending this guy? If his wife is really planning on leaving him why don't you tell him, if nothing else get that crazy bitch off your back. He just sounds sexually frustrated, recommend a nice SP for him, pooning could do wonders for his moodiness.

 

[Rammstein69]

Have you tried befriending this guy? If his wife is really planning on leaving him why don't you tell him, if nothing else get that crazy bitch off your back. He just sounds sexually frustrated, recommend a nice SP for him, pooning could do wonders for his moodiness.

Yeah, he's definately VERY sexually frustrated. His wife makes sure to tell me that. Course I can't blame him there; she's not exactly easy on the eyes either. I don't give him a pass on this one. Hell, I haven't been laid in three years, but I don't lose it on people. I just accept my situation for what it is right now.

 

[wolverine]

Yeah, he's definately VERY sexually frustrated. His wife makes sure to tell me that. Course I can't blame him there; she's not exactly easy on the eyes either. I don't give him a pass on this one. Hell, I haven't been laid in three years, but I don't lose it on people. I just accept my situation for what it is right now.

You're complaining about not getting laid on a POONING board?

 

[moi]

If you want/need more proof:

If your phone has that voice recording or video recording device, calmly activate it in your pocket, and confront dude, ask him why he bullies everyone, etc. etc.

Then, if you want to also bring attention to your manager, ask him again why he won't deal with this situation, and tape it as well.

Then bring both recordings in when dealing with the higher powers that be.

You could either get them (or one) removed and be on your merry way, or they could just get a warning and work will be shit for you.


Just pointing out reality =/



OR


Bring him to an MP, on you!

 

[Rammstein69]

I did have a witness (sort of, anyway) tonight. I talked to a co-worker outside and he asked why this guy was unhinged. He said he heard him yelling at me. When I clued him in, he just said something like 'yeah, he loses it from time to time.' Status quo, business as usual. That's the problem; people just accept this behaviour instead of firing his ass. Appeasement IS a dirty word...

 

[PatB5678]

It might be an idea to write down all the stuff this guy does, with dates etc. Least you have a time line then.

Never know, if you can tell the guy's wife her being there is causing problems and not to ride your bus, maybe that might simmer things down btw the two of your at least.

You might also want to talk to your boss and suggest the two of you go talk to the regional manager, or you're fine going alone (going over the guy's head can be tricky business....). Like another poster said though, if you go the management route they could always see you as the problem 'cause you're the one complaining.

 

[Pimmel]

what about the human resources person, they have to look after these things, ask them to document your complaint.

 

[treveller]

Safe Workplace

The Workers' Compensation Act obliges yuor employer to provide a safe and harassment free workplace. If your employer isn't doing that and you believe you are exposed to an undue hazard (the wacco husband and wife) section 3.12 of the Workers' Compensation Act Health and Safety Regulation says you can refuse the unsafe work. The employer is prohibited from taking any action against you and the WCB. I have known the WCB to deal with Refusal of Unsafe Work issues quite effectivly. YMMV.

If the WCB isn't dealing with it well enough you can request that a Board Officer issue an order. If the Officer doesn't issue the order you can request a Review of the refuasal. If you don't like the results of the Review you can go to the Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal (WCAT). Decisions by the Appeal Division and WCAT are published. It can be a bunch of work and it can take time but you may be able to improve conditions for everyone in your workplace.

Also check the Workers' Advisors Office, the Employment Standards Act and the BC Federation of Labour site.

I think one of the precidents set with regard to safety in the workplace may have dealt with driving a transit bus.

 

[moi]

^ doesn't this kind of put a label on the person complaining? like if he goes to look for another job, this incident of 'causing' so much trouble will prevent other potential employers from hiring him, especially if he involves WCB

 

[MaxBoner]

Knock the SOB out.

JK, not much I can add here but you need to deal with this ASAP. If you don't 1st stand up for yourself, don't expect anyone else to back you.

 

[LittleAsianGuy]

I had that happen when i worked at this ritzy hotel seasonal work many years ago. Couple of the filipinos made fun of me cause they wanna get their relatives into the company. Constantly got yelled at eventually i left the company. Not sure if u wanna leave since your work place is a stable income situation.

 

[Rammstein69]

Thanks for the comprehensive and detailed info Treveller (and others). I wasn't really sure of the procedure beyond reporting the incident to my supervisor. Now I know.

Just a little update on this. My employer called me this morning (not my boss, but the girl in the office). She was very sympathetic and sweet about the whole thing. Having worked with him for over 10 years, she told me he'd gone off on her several times too, which really shocked me, as she's so nice, not to mention a real cutie.

She told me he wanted my home number so he could phone me and apologize. According to her, this is his modus operandi- tear a strip off someone, then apologize, until he does it again, and again. He actually ripped another driver's shirt off his back because he found out this guy had a more favourable route that week.

He doesn't think he has an anger problem. I told her the company is just enabling him by condoning this behaviour and good people are leaving as a result. At the threat of leaving, she practically pleaded with me to stay. Soooo, she kinda melted me, so I'll stay, for now anyway.

Mr. Nutbar's wife got on the bus today, rode around for a few blocks, then got off, all without saying a word to me. Hopefully, this is a foreshadowing of future behaviour from her. I guess I should be used to it by now...this is the fourth job I've had where an unhappily married woman has more or less latched onto me. That's what I get for being friendly... silly me.

 

[LittleAsianGuy]

Can you request a different schedule or bus route than this Pyscho at work?