If an employee threatened me with violence and was not terminated, did the company contribute to creating a hostile work environment?
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If an employee threatened me with violence and was not terminated, did the company contribute to creating a hostile work environment?
I am a manager at a retail store. One of our male employees asked 10 different female associates on dates and showed signs of hostility towards them when he was turned down. This violated the code of conduct for the company which states immediate termination. Instead the company placed him on a final warning and had him scheduled only to work with my immediate supervisor. Last week he was scheduled when my supervisor was not working and he showed signs of hostility towards me and threatened me with physical violence and I had him removed from the store with police assistance. He continued to threaten me for the next 2 days in front of witnesses and my supervisors. I have sought a peace, or restraining, order against the aggressor and he has since been terminated. Do I have a right to seek legal counsel since this has affected my professional and personal life? I feel the company knew this person was a liability and contributed to creating a hostile work environment for
Asked on July 15, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Maryland
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
You have the right under the laws of this country to consult with an attorney about the way the hostile employee situation was seemingly mishandled by your employer. The issue that I see is that what actual damages have you suffered in terms of dollars and cents?
You did not have to go to the hospital for injuries albeit you certainly were placed in a stressful and challenging situation due to your employer's inability to resolve the problem sooner rather than later.
I suspect if you make a bigger issue about the matter you may have some long term negative consequences with your employer.
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