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Author Topic: An employee threatened me tonight.. Mike Spaeth Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1129 From: Marietta, GA Registered: Jul 2000 posted 01-06-2005 03:00 PM                        Make an example of this kid by firing him ...  |  IP: Logged James Falloon Film Handler Posts: 72 From: Wigram, Christchurch, New Zealand Registered: Oct 2003 posted 01-06-2005 05:02 PM                     If he's threatening you like this, how's he treating the customers? Sounds like he needs to find something else to do, he's obviously not enjoying working there.  |  IP: Logged Pravin Ratnam Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 844 From: Atlanta, GA,USA Registered: Sep 2002 posted 01-06-2005 06:17 PM                     Richard, you are a big boy. Warn him not to threaten you again and that he should listen to you. If he is not contrite, punch him square in the nose and watch him cry like a bitch. But here is the important thing. We want details of every little thing that happened during and after this.  |  IP: Logged John Hegel Expert Film Handler Posts: 166 From: Lake Mills, Iowa Registered: Sep 2000 posted 01-06-2005 07:01 PM                        Walking into a manager positions is difficult, but with a little charm and tact you can get the other employees to accept you. Warning: Talking down to people may cause mutiny that may spread to other staff. Sometimes getting people to work with you is as simple as working with them. Instead of barking at them to clean the counter, show that you care about the counter being clean by doing it yourself. I'm not guaranteeing results, but it has worked for me.  |  IP: Logged Allison Parsons Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 630 From: East Peoria, IL Registered: Oct 2004 posted 01-06-2005 08:44 PM                        Richard, If you want to do something about it, you better do it quickly. Don't wait to call the police/fire him/etc a week from today. At least write him up for talking back to you. But, like I said... dont wait a week to do it either  |  IP: Logged Jason Black Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1723 From: Myrtle Beach, SC, USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 01-06-2005 11:11 PM                        Richard, I see a trend to, unless you're just that damn unlucky. If *I* were *you* in *this* position, I'd have a talk with the employee in question, along with your boss. Id bring the situation to light and ask the employee just what it is he doesn't like about his working environment. If there are sound reasons why he "threatened" you, you and your boss need to know, now, not after you've gotten your ass beaten by some hardhead punk. Now that the first part is out of the way, let him know that you first and foremost, you are both there for a common goal, to provide the customer with the best customer service you can so that everyone is happy. The customer, becuase they got a good show and good food, and the two of you becuase you are getting a paycheck and not having to shovel shit for a living. Then... explain to him that while you both work together, there will be a certain level of reciprocal respect given by both of you. Neither of you can do this alone and you both are expendible. By the sounds of things, this kid has a chip on his shoulder and, most likely, needs to be re-trained or dismissed. Your boss shoudl eb able to offer guidance in this area. If he/she can't.. you're working for the wrong person... Don't take shit from employees, but be reasonable in your reactions. Remember, always, and I mean ALWAYS treat your employees with the same respect that you want to be treated, otherwise, you'll turn into one of the misinformed corporate dicks in the 'chain theatre' world. God knows, we have enough of them already! Good luck and let us know what happens.  |  IP: Logged Richard Greco Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1180 From: Plant City, FL Registered: Nov 2003 posted 01-07-2005 12:20 AM                     That actually is currently what is happening Jason, I'm going to talk with him tomorrow and address it. I know we can come to an agreement and a solution. BTW the guy is 43, not a kid.  |  IP: Logged Justin West Master Film Handler Posts: 271 From: Peoria, IL, USA Registered: Jul 2001 posted 01-07-2005 01:41 AM                     Richard: I, too, think you are taking the right course by approacing the subject, pronto, in a meeting among the 3 of you (your boss included)...lay it on the table that you were upset by his comment, that you had to address it but, if you are doing something wrong in approach or tone of voice, you will work on toning it down, do less bird-dogging, whatever...but, in exchange, you expect him to approach you with mutual respect, without threats, and that he is expected to complete the tasks assigned (lest any changes are mutually agreed to, on a nightly basis) so on and so forth. BTW, note what you explained: quote: Richard Greco continuous reminding was getting annoying and that if I kept it up somebody woud pop me. OK, you say that he said that "SOMEBODY" would pop you...he did not say that HE would necessarily be the one who is doing the popping...right? My point is that maybe his comment came from general talk that may be echoed amongst him and his co-workers, and he was just the one to blurt it out to you in a heated moment? Maybe your approach or attitude is not mixing well with the troops? You are the "new kid on the block," right? How long have the others been there? You might need to have a chat with all of them (re-evaluate how you approach them all in your job). I'm not saying it IS YOUR fault, heck, it could be a 43-year old guy doesn't like taking directions from a guy many years his junior (if that is the case, that is just too d@mn bad). A successful manager recognizes it is the people working for him who can make him...  |  IP: Logged Jim Ziegler Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 753 From: West Hollywood, CA Registered: Jul 99 posted 01-07-2005 01:59 AM                     Richard, While I don't know about Florida, in other states which I am familiar with, if his comment made you feel physically threatened, then you can file criminal charges against him. My advice - fire the individual, ban him from the facility, and file a criminal complaint.  |  IP: Logged Floyd Justin Newton Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 559 From: Phoenix, Arizona, USA Registered: Jun 2002 posted 01-07-2005 09:34 AM                     Here we go AGAIN!! fjn Local 294 Ret.  |  IP: Logged Thomas Procyk Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1842 From: Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 01-07-2005 12:15 PM                     He's 43?!?! That changes everything... I was in that situation a few times before, being assistant manager or booth manager and having to tell people much older than me what to do. We had one guy who *constantly* scratched prints but would never take responsibility for it and always blamed the younger staff. (He even told ME once that I was probably scratching them just to get him in trouble!) So we had him work the weekend by himself. Sure enough, both new prints were scratched. This backed him into a corner and things finally started to smooth out after that. Another factor would be that not only is he much older than you, but he's been at the theater much longer, too. He probably feels threatened that they hired a new manager instead of promoting him. A manager that's much younger. He just needs to realize the fact that he's not a "good enough" employee to BE promoted. If you cant TAKE directions, you certainly aren't in the capacity to GIVE them. =TMP=  |  IP: Logged Richard Greco Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1180 From: Plant City, FL Registered: Nov 2003 posted 01-07-2005 01:11 PM                     I also want to emphasize that he has only been employed there for about 3-4 weeks longer than me. We were thinking of slowly bringing him into the booth to assist if either myself or my boss were busy, but I think that is going to change.  |  IP: Logged Bobby Henderson "Ask me about Trajan." Posts: 10973 From: Lawton, OK, USA Registered: Apr 2001 posted 01-07-2005 01:20 PM                     Age doesn't matter. Threats of physical violence should not ever be tolerated. Here where I work, that kind of thing can get you fired immediately. In fact, a couple months ago we fired one of our shop guys for precisely this kind of thing. If the fellow had actually thrown a punch, he would have been fired and prosecuted for misdemeanor assault. It doesn't matter how much of a dick a manager may be. Nothing justifies crossing the lines into physical violence. I don't care if it is just a casual threat. It is clear, disrespectful insubordination. That alone is enough to can someone. This guy's constant complaining by itself is a huge problem. It destroys company morale and screws up the work ethic of the crew. Perfect evidence of it is a number of employees clocking out early before they're allowed to leave. I personally know a couple theater managers who would immediately fire workers just for that stunt. Nevermind any crying, complaining or threats to pop someone.  |  IP: Logged Christopher Duvall Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 500 From: Denver, CO Registered: Dec 1999 posted 01-07-2005 03:45 PM                     Bobby is right...the guy is insubordinate. In the work force in all states, that means terminate. In the military, that could mean the stockade. Fire him...stick a fork in him, he is done.  |  IP: Logged Stephen Jones Master Film Handler Posts: 314 From: Geelong Victoria Australia Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-07-2005 07:16 PM                     Perhaps what Pravin and Dave say is true Richard,But there also could be a personal problems that this guy may have,we all know that when you have problems and they are playing on our minds and some one comes along just doing their job as you were,there is nothing worse than somneone pick pick about you havent done this etc you can expect some bite back this is human nature weather its wrong or not.When you do sit down with this guy you may find out what his problem his and help him if you can by listening to him or may be he is a dick head.One word of advise Richard never talk down to people under you may be you are approaching people in the wrong manner. Good luck Steve  |  IP: Logged

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