Where to report abusive management?

shyflyrebelguy · Dec 27, 2017

In light of the recent event(s), I was wondering what is the proper way to report abusive management? Can I do it alone, or is better to do it collectively with a few co-workers(if they would be willing to make a statement)? I'm afraid of retaliation and/or it not amounting to anything, as they would prob deny anything. What is the best way to go about this? We have one manager who is a bully, with name calling , and making smart-ass comments. Today he told me "shut the f@%& up" to my face. I don't want to put up another 10 or so years with it.

bob · Dec 27, 2017

Search for zero tolerance policy in the knowledgebase here and it gives you a couple of numbers you could try. Also they should allow you to report anonymously but this is the post office so who knows how true that is or not. Better to give it a shot than wait for that jerk supervisor you have to push someone too far.

RIAdmin · Dec 27, 2017

Here are a couple of links that should help

https://www.postaltimes.com/postalnews/zero-tolerance-postal-service-committed-fostering-positive-safe-work-environment/

https://www.postaltimes.com/postalnews/usps-reaffirms-policy-workplace-harassment/

OutHereSomewhere · Dec 27, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">shyflyrebelguy said 
In light of the recent event(s), I was wondering what is the proper way to report abusive management? Can I do it alone, or is better to do it collectively with a few co-workers(if they would be willing to make a statement)? I'm afraid of retaliation and/or it not amounting to anything, as they would prob deny anything. What is the best way to go about this? We have one manager who is a bully, with name calling , and making smart-ass comments. Today he told me "shut the f@%& up" to my face. I don't want to put up another 10 or so years with it. </blockquote>
FYI, in most states, probably in all states, using the F word in a public place, like say a post office, is considered disorderly conduct and is an arrestable offense.

In my state it's still an arrestable offense to use any four letter word in front of a female or minor.

shyflyrebelguy · Dec 27, 2017

Is an EEO only for discrimination of age, sex, race, etc? What about just plain harassment/name calling?

Also, I've heard it mentioned numerous times that problem supervisors/pms are not fired, they are just moved somewhere else(to torment another office)

My biggest fear is that nothing would happen from any report/investigation and then there would be retaliation from said manager

D.B.Cooper · Dec 27, 2017

You could file a grievance for violation of MOU 14 in the contract... cite "Hostile Work Environment"....

If you can get more than one person to grieve it, all the better... the more the merrier, er, maybe not merrier for the tyrant... <img title="Wink" alt="Wink" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-wink.gif" />

OutHereSomewhere · Dec 27, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">D.B.Cooper said 
You could file a grievance for violation of MOU 14 in the contract... cite "Hostile Work Environment"....

If you can get more than one person to grieve it, all the better... the more the merrier, er, maybe not merrier for the tyrant... <img title="Wink" alt="Wink" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-wink.gif" /> </blockquote>
If you could get 10, 15, heck 50 people...not sure how big your office is...to file, it will be hard for them to retaliate against everybody, and to deny that something isn't amiss.

D.B.Cooper · Dec 27, 2017

I know an office where they did this (filed on Hostile Work Environment), and then a bunch of them called in sick on a busy Monday... the tyrant was gone by the end of the week... <img title="Smile" alt="Smile" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-smile.gif" />

ibd1 · Dec 27, 2017

What I don't get is that you can tape almost anybody now. Police officers get recorded all the time as well as teachers and principals to document harassment. In fact, our own customers are taping us all the time and management uses this and we as carriers get punished. So why can't we record and document our abuse? We had a supervisor who found out she was being taped and we had a long meeting where we were told that if she found out who it was then that person would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

btdtret · Dec 27, 2017

shyflyrebelguy -- " I was wondering what is the proper way to report abusive management?"

-- The various policy statements on bullying, harassment, etc should be posted on office bulletin boards. If not, contact the Assistant District Representative to get a bulletin board and policy statements posted. Should be quicker than filing a grievance.

-- Used to be a Hotline number for Fraud, Waste, and Abuse with the USPS OIG. Probably has changed to an on-line form.

Howah44 · Dec 27, 2017

If you work in a very small office when you get a f*(ken aho*e, that person will know if you report them, and you can pretty much bet that retaliation will follow.

I am convinced by the actions of my ah)(le, he/she has some kind of mental problems.

I bring all the DPS with me everyday, to get out ASAP. I dont care about the extra gas or being in the elements longer.

trashistan · Dec 28, 2017

I do think that an eeo has to be based on some sort of discrimination, but also in my opinion no one takes them seriously. I think that bullying and creating an unsafe work environment might be the best way to go. Try to go to a district manager about it?

wolfound · Dec 28, 2017

I filed a grievance .....asked others to co-sign it...no one willing to do so....and it went absolutely no where....except to make everyone hate me for speaking up.

btdtret · Dec 28, 2017

All -- A point of interest --

-- A change in the ELM ( Employee and Labor Relations Manual )

-- ELM 39's Section 665 - Postal Service Standards of Conduct, Subsection 665.16 - Behavior and Personal Habits - had as its last sentence:

"Employees are expected to maintain harmonious working relationships and not to do anything that would contribute to an unpleasant working environment."

-- In ELM 42 and 43 ( and possibly earlier versions ), the above sentence has be deleted.

-- Could it be that too many grievances were being submitted citing that part of 665.16?

Morty · Dec 28, 2017

Keep a journal. Write the offenses in the comments section of 4243. Something like; I felt THREATENED when he said...complete a full series of sessions with EAP. Talk with your adr . Contact the postal eap and describe your situation.

I don't like the triggered culture, but abuse the heck out of it. Learn the keywords and use them, alot.

Don't give in, push until they are removed from your office.

D.B.Cooper · Dec 28, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">Howah44 said 
If you work in a very small office when you get a f*(ken aho*e, that person will know if you report them, and you can pretty much bet that retaliation will follow.

I am convinced by the actions of my ah)(le, he/she has some kind of mental problems.

I bring all the DPS with me everyday, to get out ASAP. I dont care about the extra gas or being in the elements longer. </blockquote>
I had a PM that admitted they were diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder... and they were SUPPOSED to take meds for it... sadly, tho, and unfortunately, for us... this same person loved to gamble and drink, and when $$$ money got tight, drinking and gambling usually got the last of their $$$ money, and no money left for the meds... and when they were off the meds, look out... <img title="Surprised" alt="Surprised" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-surprised.gif" />

They come up with some real loo-loos for mgt... (aka losers)... <img title="Confused" alt="Confused" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-confused.gif" />

trashistan · Dec 28, 2017

I'm beginning to understand that the EAP is basically a better version of the Union. It might be worth going through them.

hunchback · Dec 28, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">shyflyrebelguy said 
In light of the recent event(s), I was wondering what is the proper way to report abusive management? Can I do it alone, or is better to do it collectively with a few co-workers(if they would be willing to make a statement)? I'm afraid of retaliation and/or it not amounting to anything, as they would prob deny anything. What is the best way to go about this? We have one manager who is a bully, with name calling , and making smart-ass comments. Today he told me "shut the f@%& up" to my face. I don't want to put up another 10 or so years with it. </blockquote>
If you are afraid of retaliation then don't bother going down this road or even ever file a grievance because retaliation is the top down culture of the USPS

Watch this whole video

https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/The-Secret-Inside-the-Postal-Service-283896301.html

A spokeswoman for the USPS threatened a Reporter with investigation and possible arrest (retaliation) if the reporter approached the PMG and asked questions.

Retaliation is the culture of this organization for anyone who refuses to bend over and grab their ankles, so to speak.

klutz · Dec 28, 2017

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">fdu.1 said 
What I don't get is that you can tape almost anybody now. Police officers get recorded all the time as well as teachers and principals to document harassment. In fact, our own customers are taping us all the time and management uses this and we as carriers get punished. So why can't we record and document our abuse? We had a supervisor who found out she was being taped and we had a long meeting where we were told that if she found out who it was then that person would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. </blockquote>
Ask a guy named Jerry D Lane about taping a conversation. he was a vp who was allowed to retire after he went on a rage at his ex girlfriend (a manager in a plant). The police appeared and started to arrest him. he said they were just having a discussion. The cops picked up her cell phone and it was still connected to 911....I think any good lawyer would shred anyone trying to throw out a video or tape of harassing and bullying activity.

OutHereSomewhere · Dec 28, 2017

I've seen that video before and that reporter is a coward. She had fat boy Donoho in a blatant lie and let him escape. She could've/should've nailed his ass to the wall.

If the USPS had actually gone after that reporter for anything A: They would've lost in court. B: They would've had every media outlet from NYC to LA, from the NYTimes to the Des Moines Register, from ABC to to XYZ, after them. It would've been the biggest mistake they had ever made.