Coworker Issue- LONG VENT

[DisneySarah80]

Has anybody read any news stories about a medical assistant that went postal on her co-workers?

Not to go off subject... But where did the meaning of "going postal" ever come from??? Is it because of postal workers going nutso on the job?? Seriously, though, where is it from?

 

[Jennasis]

Not to go off subject... But where did the meaning of "going postal" ever come from??? Is it because of postal workers going nutso on the job?? Seriously, though, where is it from?

Exactly that. There was a spate of postal workers who went off their nut and came in to work guns a-blazing (mid 80's maybe??). Don't know if it was stress or what, but yes, that is where the term comes from.

 

[snowy76]

Not to go off subject... But where did the meaning of "going postal" ever come from??? Is it because of postal workers going nutso on the job?? Seriously, though, where is it from?

That's exactly where it came from. There were like a dozen shootings in the 80s and 90s.

I teach sociology and have talks with my students about slang like this - they use it and they have no idea what it references - same with drinking the koolaid.

OP, good luck with your situation!

 

[bookgirl]

Not to go off subject... But where did the meaning of "going postal" ever come from??? Is it because of postal workers going nutso on the job?? Seriously, though, where is it from?

For other uses, see Going postal (disambiguation).

Memorial of the 1986 post office incident in Edmond, Oklahoma.Going postal, in American English slang, means becoming extremely and uncontrollably angry, often to the point of shooting people dead, usually in a workplace environment.

The expression derives from a series of incidents from 1983 onward in which United States Postal Service (USPS) workers shot and killed managers, fellow workers, and members of the police or general public in acts of mass murder. Between 1986 and 1997, more than forty people were gunned down by spree killers in at least twenty incidents of workplace rage.

Edmond Oklahoma was the first incidence on August 20 1986. I remember the day very well and it was strange as Edmond was this (at the time) sleepy little suburb known only for the university, the local paper acutally put out a special edition and it was hand delivered to my job.

 

[hereyago]

Has anybody read any news stories about a medical assistant that went postal on her co-workers?

No, but it doesn't mean it couldn't happen. I really don't think the people at Ft. Hood a couple years ago thought one of their own would go shooting up the place either. Sue has displayed that she is unstable, threatened and aggressive behavior from the OP's posts, but this one and the other one about Sue.

1986 the term going postal came into our vocabulary after a postal worker killed a few of his co workers, injured some then put the gun on himself.

Workplace voilence isn't only killing someone, it's threatening, having screaming fits, name calling and harassment.

The bad part is that people (higher ups) sometimes think things are an isolated incident, oh they are having a bad day or don't take it so seriously.

 

[crashbb]

That's exactly where it came from. There were like a dozen shootings in the 80s and 90s.

I teach sociology and have talks with my students about slang like this - they use it and they have no idea what it references - same with drinking the koolaid.

OP, good luck with your situation!

I read that as "I teach SCIENTOLOGY" and was very, very confused.

 

[Arielle22]

Yes, I think it is risky to cite hostile work environment because state laws differ on interpretation and Federal Law focuses on protected classes. The OP has been threatened, however, which is why many people have suggested a police report. That goes to potentially criminal behavior, and the employer is obliged to provide a safe workplace.

I really think she needs to consult an attorney. If this goes on she may have a case of "constructive dischargement" per the EEOC.

This could get worse. If the OP or an RN reports the situation to the Medical Licensing board (as people here have rather blithely suggested) there could be major repercussions. The OP could be penalized for not being able to work nicely with others (Sue), or for being suspected of reporting the situation outside the office. She/they are technically protected under "whistle-blower" legislation for reporting to the Licensing board, but if you are the whistle-blower technical protection doesn't pay your bills when you are fired. We also all want her to leave with the best possible references, don't we?

Good luck, OP. Please talk to a lawyer before you quit This is important!

ETA. Also, although this may be redundant advice and I did not check the times the OP posted: if you are experiencing problems at work do not use your work computer to post about it! Everything on your work computer belongs to the company and can be used against you in a dispute!

The EEOC handles cases based on protected characteristics. http://eeoc.gov/employees/. So any constructive discharge claim with them would have to relate to a claim against protected characteristics.

OP could try to claim constructive discharge if she decides to quit and tries for unemployment.

I agree that you should not use your work computer for any notes. I also agree that if you feel in danger you should speak with the police.

 

[tlbwriter]

No, but it doesn't mean it couldn't happen. I really don't think the people at Ft. Hood a couple years ago thought one of their own would go shooting up the place either. Sue has displayed that she is unstable, threatened and aggressive behavior from the OP's posts, but this one and the other one about Sue.

I don't think that poster was saying it won't happen because it hasn't happened before. I think she was wondering if it might have happened to the OP and if there had been a news story about it.

 

[hereyago]

I don't think that poster was saying it won't happen because it hasn't happened before. I think she was wondering if it might have happened to the OP and if there had been a news story about it.

oops, sorry I'm a goof.

 

[disneychick0412]

I wish the OP would check in!! Hopefully she is ok!

 

[SallySkelington]

1986 the term going postal came into our vocabulary after a postal worker killed a few of his co workers, injured some then put the gun on himself.

Workplace voilence isn't only killing someone, it's threatening, having screaming fits, name calling and harassment.

The bad part is that people (higher ups) sometimes think things are an isolated incident, oh they are having a bad day or don't take it so seriously.

My dad works with the postal service! How did he ever go into it after that???

Been lurking the thread for a while since my initial post. Hope your day was okay OP!

 

[princessnoelly]

OP, hope all is ok. Please let us know.

 

[happywanderer2]

first, I would be looking for another job
second, I would find out what company insures the practice and I would make an anonymous call to then and tell them what is occurring with this employee.

believe me, if the insurance company investigates this and there is a chance the practice could lose its coverage because of this employee--said employee would be out the door faster than you can say bye-bye...

 

[MiniGirl]

Stupidity is a vastly underrated causal factor in human behavior.

I have wasted far too much of my own time and energy trying to parse out the reasons for idiotic behavior only to realize that the only explanation sometimes is, "They're stupid."

OMGoodness!!! This is one of the BEST posts I have ever read on these boards, and it is so true. I am always guilty of trying to figure out why people act the way they do sometimes, and I never consider sheer stupidity could be one of the reasons. Thanks for the reminder.

OP, I hope all is well with you.

 

[DizBelle]

Is anyone else DYING for an update?

 

[SallySkelington]

Is anyone else DYING for an update?

YES! We're talking about a rabid nurse here! Actually Sue is a medical assistant but anywho... Maybe she did go postal...

No seriously, usually OPs would check in by now right? Be alive OP! Be ALIVE!

 

[Heidict]

Hope everything is going okay at work OP.

 

[bookgirl]

If she did quit she may have lost her internet access.

 

[herdtoDisney]

Not to go off subject... But where did the meaning of "going postal" ever come from??? Is it because of postal workers going nutso on the job?? Seriously, though, where is it from?

I intensely dislike this slang term. You are actually less likely to be the victim of violence in the postal workplace, than in many other professions.

We don't allow this term in our house, and it's rude when people say it to me or dh (yes, proud postal workers). I don't go in to buy lottery tickets and tell the agent someon's going lotto, or buy a drink and say they're going beer distributor But going postal is ok, like we're going to do that

-these are workplaces that, sadly, have had mass violence in my area.

 

[IdesOmarch]

Wow, sounds like the model employee and just the type we are looking for. We are actually all out of psychos at the moment and need a few. You can never have too many quality drunk, pill popping, black outing, knife weilding psychopaths around you know. Oh wait, I'm thinking about some of my old girlfriends. You will never know true love until your lover stabs you with a kitchen knife.