newtoboard
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« on: November 04, 2011, 11:33:17 PM » |
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Another faculty member who is senior to me has started a campaign of intimidation against me and is making it very hard for me to work at my current place of employment.
This person does so only in speech and never over email, so I don't have a paper trail, but I have decided to file a formal complaint regardless. Neither I or the faculty member in question are tenured, but I have personally made the decision that if I have to work with this person under this condition on the long-run, I will simply leave my job, so I have very little to loose.
What would be the most effective way to file this complaint--I am assuming it should be done in writings. Should I consult the chair, the dean's office or human resources? Nothing like this has ever happened in my career so I have no idea what to do.
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larryc
Hu hatin'
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 18,285
Eschew the hu.
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« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2011, 12:42:41 AM » |
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There will be a procedure at your institution for such complaints, call the human resources office.
But first, talk to someone in your department whom you trust about your best move here.
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systeme_d_
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« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2011, 12:55:13 AM » |
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Does your university have an ombudsperson? If so, start there.
If not, talk to a trusted senior mentor.
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Systeme_D is right. <rah rah RESEARCH!> |
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seniorscholar
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« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2011, 09:12:40 AM » |
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If your school has a faculty union -- even if you are not a member (since unions are required to represent everyone in the "affiliation group") -- start there. If your school requires complaints to be made in such-and-such-a-form to some specific office/person first, the union's grievance chair will know that, and will consult with you about the appropriate language to use and the kinds of evidence to cite.
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newtoboard
New member
Posts: 10
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« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2011, 12:16:20 PM » |
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Dear all, Thank you so much for these advices--they are really helpful and cheered me up quite a bit. I think I would take the suggestion of talking a trusted senior member, and see what the next step might be--whether it might involve human resources, or the dean's office.
This situation has been weirdly taxing on me--I worked outside academia and/or in non-American universities up until now and I thought I was rather well prepared for work situations of a complex nature, but academia in the US seems to have a very specific way of operating in terms of power-relations and processes of intimidation, which are very hard to understand and adjust to for people who have not been trained within it.
Also, what is a ombudsperson?
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tuxedo_cat
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« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2011, 12:27:26 PM » |
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Also, what is a ombudsperson?
This is someone at your college or university (usually another faculty member) who will listen to your concerns sympathetically and help to mediate exactly the kind of problem you are facing. One very important thing that distinguishes this person from anyone else you may talk to is that he or she has pledged to keep your conversation in complete confidence, which is always valuable. He or she will also be familiar with the most appropriate channels and procedures for filing a formal complaint if that seems like the best solution. There are often solutions to such a conflict other than filing a formal complaint, which you will have an opportunity to discuss. I would contact that person first under these circumstances. |
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The only protection from zombies is a good friend who runs slightly more slowly than you do.
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newtoboard
New member
Posts: 10
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« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2011, 12:57:10 PM » |
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Alas, our university does not have such a person, so my first port of call will be the trusted senior faculty member. Thanks again and please let me know if you have any other advice or have been in similar situations and how you have been able to resolve them?
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aneumey
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« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2011, 09:17:35 PM » |
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If you have a senior faculty member who you trust, that might be the route to go. If that person were to go to the chair and to their friends and made them aware of the situation, it is more effective than if you did it yourself.
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newtoboard
New member
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« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2011, 10:49:33 PM » |
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The only senior faculty member I know is the chair, but I mean what can he really do about it...(The other person is non tenured either).
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luckychance
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« Reply #9 on: November 12, 2011, 01:42:06 PM » |
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The only senior faculty member I know is the chair, but I mean what can he really do about it...(The other person is non tenured either).
You're asking what the chair of the department the non-tenured person works in can do? I would assume the answer is "A LOT" |
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pedanterast
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« Reply #10 on: November 12, 2011, 09:11:49 PM » |
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Hi, Hidden Dragon.
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hopeandfaith
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« Reply #11 on: November 23, 2011, 11:31:33 PM » |
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If you have a senior faculty member who you trust, that might be the route to go. If that person were to go to the chair and to their friends and made them aware of the situation, it is more effective than if you did it yourself.
I second aneumey's suggestion -- that sounds like the most effective route with the least amount of drama. May I ask how you are being intimidated? You stated it was just verbal -- is it happening just between the two of you or in front of other faculty? Workplace hostility is in direct violation of most U.S. workplaces' policies, and is firm grounds for termination of the offending employee (assuming the intimidation is detrimental to your welfare and is witnessed by others). Have you openly confronted the intimidator? Perhaps the intimidation is occurring because he/she knows it will be an effective method of making you leave? Office politics is just horrible. Welcome to America. Sorry you are going through this......please don't feel like it has anything to do with you. Your "intimidator" has issues of their own. |
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newtoboard
New member
Posts: 10
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« Reply #12 on: December 03, 2011, 06:55:07 PM » |
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Thank you for the advice.
The intimidation is very strange. Said person had told me prior to my appointment, that she had already decided whom to hire, but her hire didn't go as planned as I was hired instead. Her behavior is really strange and erratic. For instance, she came into my office several times during office hours and pulled me out for no reason. When I asked her to stop the situation escalated and said person lost her temper and started shouting at me and then cried. I am afraid of her and she makes me uncomfortable. There has been very little witness of the behaviors towards me, but it seems to me she has acted in similar way towards others.
I have talked to the chair but the situation has not improved. Should I make a formal complaint to hr. Will there be retribution towards me if I go to hr? Can I ask for a member of hr to be in the room with me, if said person is present. The other people whom she works with and have witnessed some of her erractic behavior towards me are unwilling to get involved.
I think if the situation does not improve I will have to leave my post, which I otherwise enjoy, as it is too stressful.
Any further advice is greatfully appreciated.
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larryc
Hu hatin'
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 18,285
Eschew the hu.
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« Reply #13 on: December 03, 2011, 07:16:52 PM » |
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Please document each strange and intimidating encounter. You can do that by writing up each account right after it happens and emailing yourself (to establish a time stamp). If you have a webcam on your office computer you can "accidentally" leave it on when she comes to your office. In addition, have you told this person clearly that you do not like her behavior and you demand that she stop?
You say that she behaves this way to others--have you had a frank talk with some of her other victims? They may have useful insights, and if you all complain at one it could have greater impact.
As for complaining to HR--who knows what will happen. HR departments exist to protect the institution and not its employees. They are NOT on your side, but may well help you if that looks the best route for the institution. You can go and have a talk with the HR person, even over the phone.
Finally, by "pulled you out" do you mean that she laid hands on you against your will? That is assault and is a crime. Talk to campus police as well.
None of these actions are without possible risk to you, but I would think it would be better to fight for your job than to simply quit.
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