Threat Of Violence At Work

[Answerprancer]

Today my boss threatened me with physical violence because I hadn't been checking the oil of the company van.
His concern was if the engine seized, then he told me that if it did "I will fire you and I will also thump you".
I thought it was just said out of anger and as a manner of speaking but he backed it up by admitting that he had done it to a former employee.
Advice gratefully received.
The company is quite close-knit (only four active employees) and this took place in my boss's house with no witnesses.

[Svejk]

There's awful. As a matter of interest, how come you weren't checking the oil?

[Mosaic]

I would report this to a police officer and get an incident number, keep these details safe, and ask the police for advice as to how you should proceed with this man.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

As 09.15...lol......or just check the oil!

[murraymints]

are you responsible for maintenance of van ? no big deal checking oil...if you want to keep your job just do it and say nowt !

[fiction-factory]

Maybe it was an expression along the lines of "I will kill you" but given that he says he has thumped someone before then maybe it was a genuine threat. I am not sure the police would take it seriously though. If he did thump you then he could get in trouble

[Peter Pedant]

It is a pity you didnt say at the time

"Violence at work will not be tolerated under any circumstances"

[ clearly I have had practice in this. um as a union rep ]

Try the police as above - I doubt they will be interested

also since there are four and close knit employees it is easy to take a poll and say - in the bog or over a cup of coffee - er, the boss said he had thumped a transgressor - are you the lucky one ?

oh and I dont think he had admitted it
I think he alleged it
( world of difference )

[Mosaic]

'Check the oil or I will instigate disciplinary measures' is acceptable

Threatening to hit someone isn't.

A schoolteacher would lose their job and be banned from the profession for threatening violence to a colleague or child
Violence is not acceptable either implied or actual.

[Svejk]

Working class people routinely use such expressions. The correct response is, of course, 'you'd better make it a good one'.

[B00]

Nothing you can do or say now is there really? Not without losing your job anyway.

But I'd be tempted to say exactly what svejk said if he threatens you again.

[Mosaic]

Hmm. As a matter of interest, if the same man threatens to attack a female employee, is that also a case of put up n shut up?

These working class persons wot don't mind a bit of rough talk - I suppose vey orl ave arts o' gold eh?
People - this is not the 1930s any more.

[Peter Pedant]

In the good old days -

you were allowed to hit him back ! [ no not in response to the threat, to being thumped ] and it was taboo for the senior to take action ....

but not now of course
totally unacceptable

I luuuurve the idea of teachers not hitting anyone
blimey they used to hit us often enough
but of course times change

[B00]

Regrettably mosiac, it's his word against his employers isn't it?

At best AP could lose his job if he tries to say or do anything after the incident. As I said, it would have been better to be proactive as soon as it happened.

[Peter Pedant]

Hmm. As a matter of interest, if the same man threatens to attack a female employee, is that also a case of put up n shut up?

what about a gurl slapping a man who has a wandering hand ?

a look-dont-touch rule in fact dont even look !

Twenty years ago - a " he is too familiar but I dont want to say anything I just want you to tell him to stop - and I certianly wont write anything !" drove us all absolutely crazy

[Svejk]

Or proactively check the oil in the first place, like anyone with an ounce of common.

[B00]

Or that ^, lol- or at least lied and said you had ;-)

[ummmm]

Maybe AP didn't know he was suppose to be checking the oil.

An employer that threatens to punch an employee might not be very clear with what is expected....

[Peter Pedant]

.

As I said, it would have been better to be proactive as soon as it happened.

yeah but we are where we are ( which er aint there )

in terms of what can you do - I am nor sure - about the threat I mean
( other than - memo:check oil and turn up to work in kevlar ... )

[tamborine]

Report to police/union/ACAS/tribunal etc IF you dont value your job. Or check the oil, for safety sake! Time you learned basic motor maintenance, donchya fink?

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Answerprancer....Incentives are quite common in the workplace.

[Answerprancer]

Some interesting answers there, thanks for those.

It was definitely negligent for me to have let the oil get that low BUT afaic threats of violence are definitely not on and actual violence (even if I was negligent) is afaic cause for criminal proceedings and damages claims.
He is generally a fair boss and not yer typical 'thug', he is actually quite a successful businessman but he is 'touchy' and short-tempered.
I am definitely NOT comfortable working for an employer that is prepared to take the law into his own hands in this way - these are bullying tactics IMO.