I've been lurking on this website for a while but a recent event at my work place pushed me to make an account just to see what you think and what I should do (I live in Ontario, Canada just for reference).
I work at a bread factory for a few weeks now, relatively new but not completely clueless and there's this asshole at my workplace who's constantly berating and yelling at me every time every time I get near him. He works in a different line from me yet due to the nature of my role it's hard to avoid him.
I didn't mind his abuse because I always kept my head down but that I guess wasn't enough, he just finds enough energy to keep harassing me.
Today's shift was really bad in that as I was getting a cart to feed dough into the machine for the line I work in, he called me from behind to help him lift the dough into the mixer. So I helped him lift the bin to put the dough in the mix and as soon as I thought to put it down he decided to forcefully hit me on the face with the base of the bin. After that he accused me of angry and stood there as if he had done nothing wrong. I was angry, but it's hard not to be when you're forced to work with this asshole.
My glasses was bent, my lens were smudged up and I was left bleeding on the right side of my nose bridge. I didn't even know I was bleeding until a co-worker noticed it and asked me if I was okay.
After a few minutes of confusion and anger I decided to go to my supervisor to first tell him about my bleeding and then about the asshole. The responses he said was confusing, saying that we're human and stuff that gave the benefit of the doubt but after that he said he will talk to the asshole.
I went back to my role kinda defeated and pissed off thinking that nothing will change. I didn't see the asshole for a while so I assumed he went and talked to the supervisor but he came back after a few minutes and just did his usual things, which made me think he bullshitted to support his side of the story. Either way after that shift ended and I'm here typing this.
I'm planning to head to work early next shift to discuss the bullshit I experienced with my supervisor but I'm at a loss currently since this is my first time experiencing this and I'm hoping some of you will help me on this.
Remember for the purpose of legal action it is good to have things in writing, even your own communications.
For example, I do not know if it would be a good idea to ask your employer tomorrow about the possibility of the incident being in the video record, but if we assume that it is, it's probably a good idea to make sure you have like an email or something you can point to to prove that you asked, perhaps written as a "follow up" or whatever.
Why? At least in my limited experience, businesses dump footage pretty quickly. It seems perfectly possible that they would just say they'll get back to you and wait it out for the week or however long until they can dump it on schedule and pretend you never asked. Even if they do stall you and dump it, having a record of having asked soon after the incident can demonstrate malfeasance.
I know this isn't half as substantive as what you were looking for, but I thought I should mention the one part I did know.
saying that we’re human and stuff that gave the benefit of the doubt but after that he said he will talk to the asshole.
Over 50% confident that 1) everybody knows this person is abusive and 2) somebody higher up is protecting them for some reason.
If there's anybody who has been kinda friendly towards you since you've started working there and they've worked there awhile, see if you can casually ask about the offending coworker as well as general opinion on the HR department. Maybe you can talk to whoever does HR work there if the general opinion is that they aren't terrible at their job.
Also, if there aren't any security cameras in the work areas that could have seen the abuse...
Can you make recordings of your boss or workplace?
Another article specifying Canada legal codes about making recordings at work.
(I am not a lawyer, this is not legal advice).
I am not exactly sure how long he has been in this job but I'm sure he's working here for quite some time now. The other people I work with also has some kind of problem with him, describing him as grumpy or complains a lot.
Yeah I'll talk to the HR and see if anything comes out of it. For security cameras there are a lot of them, not sure if any of them have captured a clear view of the assault.
I'll keep that in my mind about recording him, the work place is loud so I don't know if it could record him very clearly.
That’s terrible and I’m sorry that happened to you.
You probably got a good hostile work environment lawsuit (or whatever the Canadian version of that is) if they don’t do anything.
Like, purely from a perspective of “don’t be a martyr just to protect an asshole and maybe get money out of your employer”.
Just googled it, Canada has a thing called poisoned work environment and can apply with “a single intolerable incident”. Glasses broken and you’re bleeding. Document that shit and see if there’s a camera that could have a view if you decide that’s the route you want.
Write down the time of any events, what happened, who was there, and what was said. This includes discussions with supervisors. Hell even write about this post because it's timestamped. Do it during or as soon as possible after the event. If this escalates to legal action a thorough record will strengthen your testimony a lot and it will no longer be just your word against the company.
Do this after your discussion with the supervisor. There might be some value to doing it in front of the supervisor/management because it should signal that you're serious about this incident, but also be aware that they might take that as a threat and retaliate.
As for what else to do, unless there's a record of the company covering up workplace violence not much will come from pursuing legal action (unless Canadian law is drastically different from the US). Work through the supervisor and HR. Maybe you can organize your coworkers to be assholes back to the asshole.
Edit: Also figure out who will pay for fixing your glasses because even if it was an accident the company should do that at the bare minimum.
Try and get the supervisor's response in an email, as email are admissible evidence
I had a similar thing happen to me at a previous job. Management was totally useless and refused to take any action, they seemed to even side with the aggressor. I'm sorry you have to deal with this, toxic assholes at work are the worst.
Look it up but I think Ontario has one party consent in place for recording conversations if you wanna set your phone to record whenever you have to deal with the guy.
If the bosses don't wanna do anything the only way to force their hand is evidence, witnesses, and the threat of legal action
Ask the co worker to write down what they saw, and see if anyone else saw it too. Nothing exists unless it's on paper. Also maybe see if there's somewhere nearby you could get a recommendation from your sueprvisor for. If someone is protecting this abuser, getting yourself somewhere safe is a priority, and it might be easier for your employer to get you a new job than yo try and fight you on this.
Hey thanks for the support and responses everybody, it really means a lot to me.
Also forgot to add, look for local law offices that deal with workplace harassment and violence. I'd bet a dollar most of them offer free consultations if you need some more "face to face" guidance.
Thanks for the suggestion, I already contacted HR but if nothing comes out of it then I will take this advice
The Law Society of Ontario guarantees you a free referral and 30 minute consultation. Submit a request here and they should get back to you within three business days. You have nothing to lose by setting this up as soon as possible; remember that HR exists to protect the company, not you.
