Workroom Floor Harassment

I am amazed by how this topic continues to come up about the work room floor. And I am further amazed by how the employer reacts to the work room floor harassment.

When someone makes the claim harassment, it becomes incumbent on the person who is making the claim to prove that it is happening, before anyone will take the claim serious. And when I say prove it that is just what I mean. I cannot tell you how often I receive a call, and a member tells me they are being harassed. I talk to the member and ask them to explain what the supervisor is doing that makes them feel they are being harassed.

You have to understand that management has the right to manage you as instructed in the handbooks and manuals. They have the right to watch you, by observing you in the office, and in the street. It is their responsibility to do this and to inform you if you are not working efficiently, safely and within the guidelines of the handbooks and manuals. They can speak to you about your attendance, lateness, and your attitude.

So when does this “managing” cross the line and become harassment? Management does not have the right to invade your personal space, mock you, threaten you verbally, or make you feel unsafe. They do not have the right to alter your clock rings, deny you pay for actual time at work, and unreasonably deny your sick leave and emergency annual leave request. And in my opinion, if you are not found to be doing anything wrong, they do not have the right to scrutinize you, come out on you day after day and in general make your life miserable.

So how do you get this to stop? First thing, go out and get a little notebook, you know one of those cheap pocket size ones. Or you could get one of those pocket calendars that have room to write on the date. You can even use your cell phone notes. You have to prove that ongoing harassment is occurring, and you have to document it. Each time you feel you are being harassed pull out your notebook, and start writing. Date, time, person involved, what was being said, any witnesses close enough to hear or see. Write it all down. It is your proof that it happened.

Go to your steward when you have some documentation. Ask them to investigate a grievance concerning creation of a hostile work environment. This is how it all starts, it doesn’t end here but it starts here. Next, other people in your office have to take a stand and give statements and support you. These grievances are only successful when we all stand together. I will tell you this, no documentation and no statements and the grievance will not be sustained. But when it is done correctly, I have seen Postmasters and OICs removed from their offices, and multiple grievances sent to arbitration and sustained for the Union.

We all have the right to work in a safe environment that is free of harassment. Most of us come to work to pay the bills and in some cases to get a few hours relief from the stresses that many of us have at home. There is no doubt we have the most difficult job, physically and mentally in the Postal Service. We do not need to deal with bullying, harassment. And we all have the power to stop it if we all stick together and fight it. We have seen in the last month how the children have stuck together, from the Parkland school violence, and has the whole nation listening. All it takes is sticking up for yourself with some help from your fellow brothers and sisters. Remember, if you see something say something. Do not live in fear. You have a voice. When you all stick together, that voice gets stronger.

Be safe and keep smiling.