discussion A coworker threatened me with violence for no reason at all. Should I get him fired?

[Bears01]

Last night at my job, one of the most confusing events ever happened to me. 
 

I do physical labor, and was putting objects on a conveyer belt. This coworker was ahead of me doing the same, I held my object back, tapped on the belt to let him go and said "ayy go ahead". 
 

This man completely lost his mind and started screaming at me "don't you ever ayy man me ever again, unless you want me to beat that ass". I was dumbfounded, confused, and kind of in shock. He then screamed at me for all to see "don't you ever say ANYTHING to me ever again you punk ass kid!" 
 

I went back to my work station, in shock and angry. I asked my supervisor if I could just go home to avoid anything bad, didn't even tell them what happened. They said yes. 
 

My coworker then went up to my supervisor, pointed at me and started screaming about me, and me, full of rage said "all I did was let you put your stuff down first *******! And then you threatened to fight me!" 
 

He said in front of my supervisor: "raise your voice to me again, and you'll regret it for the rest of your life". 
 

So I just decided to leave, but I'm sitting here, still in shock, and processing everything that just happened. 
 

I feel bullied, and honestly just flat out confused, and don't even know if I wanna go into work tonight. What would you do in my situation? 

[simplywohoo]

Absolutely 100%

[unclefloprry]

He's closeted and loves you… jk 

 

Definitely talk to your supervisor about it, maybe just so they give him a warning because if you're doing physical work, it's very dangerous. You never know what kind of people you're dealing with in life, and it's better to be safe.

[Migs]

Yikes. There are so many awful and ignorant people in this world and it baffles me sometimes. Get that Karen fired asap.

[Aston Martin]

If your company has HR, email them immediately telling them everything you said in the OP. Establish a paper trail. Meet with them and your supervisor the next time you're at work to discuss this. Express your valid safety concerns, and then hopefully you can come up with a course of action, whatever that may end up being, that is best for your safety and peace of mind. 

 

If your company doesn't have HR, pull your supervisor aside immediately when you get to work tonight (or call if that's easier). If you two are on the same page, go to whomever is in charge and explain everything you said in the OP. And like I said in the first paragraph, them and you can come up with a solution that is best for your safety and peace of mind. I'm sorry this happened, that man sounds like a legit psychopath. 

[Onyxmage]

13 minutes ago, Bears01 said:

want me to beat that ass

I would have turned to him looked him straight in the eyes and said, Promise? 

[getBusy]

Email HR with your manager on CC immediately. Leave a paper trail, it's fundamental. Verbal testimony won't do anything. 

[Burn]

Make sure to put this in writing and do it ASAP. The fresher it is in your mind the better. Write down exactly what happened factually and what was said by both yourself and him. You can also comment on how it made you feel (distressed, unsafe etc). Email it to your manager (or HR - but I'd suggest your manager in the first instance and let them progress it. If they fail to then you can go to HR and evidence that you did attempt to raise it through your manager initially).

[LikeATattoo]

Please, please, please don't ignore this. You need to establish a paper trail so that you're able to protect yourself in the event of escalation.

[LikeATattoo]

OP, if you wouldn't mind providing more context, may I ask if he knows that you're gay? And is he straight? 

[sugarysunflower]

12 minutes ago, getBusy said:

Email HR with your manager on CC immediately. Leave a paper trail, it's fundamental. Verbal testimony won't do anything. 

 

4 minutes ago, Burn said:

Make sure to put this in writing and do it ASAP. The fresher it is in your mind the better. Write down exactly what happened factually and what was said by both yourself and him. You can also comment on how it made you feel (distressed, unsafe etc). Email it to your manager (or HR - but I'd suggest your manager in the first instance and let them progress it. If they fail to then you can go to HR and evidence that you did attempt to raise it through your manager initially).

This.

 

you need to check your company's policies on this ASAP. 
 

and you need to file it with them today or tomorrow morning, including names of potential witnesses, as soon as possible. 
 

time stamp all the events and locations in your paper trail.
 

and Maybe they can look at CCTV to see any physical interactions between members involved. 

[toast]

Report to HR. Having someone that erratic in a job involving physical labor is a danger to you AND your coworkers

[swifthino]

report it ASAP

[theweekend]

100%

I would never tolerate this kind of behavior in my company EVER

[Venice B]

This shouldn't even be a question, you should report it ASAP. For the sake of your safety and others.

[Bears01]

15 minutes ago, LikeATattoo said:

OP, if you wouldn't mind providing more context, may I ask if he knows that you're gay? And is he straight? 

He's a straight older guy, and no. He didn't call me a ****** or anything like that, he legit just went psycho for no reason at all. 
 

Everyone thank you for this advice. This biggest issue: I legit don't even know this man's name 

[Aston Martin]

3 minutes ago, Bears01 said:

He's a straight older guy, and no. He didn't call me a ****** or anything like that, he legit just went psycho for no reason at all. 
 

Everyone thank you for this advice. This biggest issue: I legit don't even know this man's name 

Does your work have CCTV that covers the area where this happened? You can always ask for that to be reviewed if that's the case. If that's not the case, was anyone besides your supervisor within earshot when this all happened? 

[Bears01]

3 minutes ago, Aston Martin said:

Does your work have CCTV that covers the area where this happened? You can always ask for that to be reviewed if that's the case. If that's not the case, was anyone besides your supervisor within earshot when this all happened? 

2 of his friends were nearby, and were kinda just laughing about it. The place I work at is really loud though, but literally all I said "was AY go ahead". We have cameras everywhere and I have no doubt this might have been recorded. 
 

I really didn't even want to take it to this, until he legit went up to my supervisor and started screaming about me. I literally did nothing….ive seen this man around for over a year now and have barely even spoken to him before last night 

[Popboi.]

41 minutes ago, getBusy said:

Email HR with your manager on CC immediately. Leave a paper trail, it's fundamental. Verbal testimony won't do anything. 

This.

[MattieB]

I hate when these weak minded idiots make their personal problems yours. 

One thing though, you need to tell your supervisor exactly what happened otherwise it'll be his word against yours. 

God I hate evil fuckers like that

[blaggot]

kill him 

[Maxxxine]

You should've put him on the conveyor belt. Have him wrapped up to a burlap sack. 

[Aston Martin]

2 minutes ago, Bears01 said:

2 of his friends were nearby, and were kinda just laughing about it. The place I work at is really loud though, but literally all I said "was AY go ahead". We have cameras everywhere and I have no doubt this might have been recorded. 
 

I really didn't even want to take it to this, until he legit went up to my supervisor and started screaming about me. I literally did nothing….ive seen this man around for over a year now and have barely even spoken to him before last night 

Even if the cameras didn't pick up any of the dialogue, his body language while screaming at you and your supervisor witnessing his behavior would be enough to corroborate your story. Again, I'm so sorry this happened to you. Idk what that man's problem is. At this point, the best you can do is document everything, start a paper trail, and go from there. I wish you the best 

[Bears01]

2 minutes ago, MattieB said:

I hate when these weak minded idiots make their personal problems yours. 

One thing though, you need to tell your supervisor exactly what happened otherwise it'll be his word against yours. 

God I hate evil fuckers like that

I did tell my manager (not my supervisor) what happened when he asked why I was leaving. 
 

The place I work at though is kinda crappy when it comes to this stuff. All he said was "okay, so are you coming back for your morning shift then". I literally was just gonna let it go but man….its making me not even wanna go back to my job 

[LegaMyth]

Document the encounter AS WELL AS you telling your manager. Give the information to HR. 

 

Constantly go above others if your concerns are not addressed.