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Someone said want to go postal at work. what can I do?
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:36 pm
by Stupid
The person claims either going to wipe everybody out or poison us. The problem is i am the supervisor.
There's obvious work stress - the big boss wants us (my group only) to document everything we do in a day to 8 hours per day. There's also divorce.
It was said only in front of me and another coworker, but I haven't got a chance to talk to this person or my boss as he's out of town.
Our company obviously has a no firearm policy.
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:38 pm
by hi-power
Start by calling your local police department and report the threat. They can advise you what to do from there.
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:47 pm
by Stupid
I have already thought about that.
hi-power wrote:Start by calling your local police department and report the threat. They can advise you what to do from there.
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:49 pm
by srothstein
Call your boss, or the next person higher up in the chain of command than you that you can get hold of.
This is definitely one of those times when you need to pass the buck upwards and let them handle it. Be prepared to explain more about how the person was feeling and whether you believe it or not. Also be prepared for the harassment from him when he finds you reported it.
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:53 pm
by Lumberjack98
srothstein wrote:Call your boss, or the next person higher up in the chain of command than you that you can get hold of.
This is definitely one of those times when you need to pass the buck upwards and let them handle it. Be prepared to explain more about how the person was feeling and whether you believe it or not. Also be prepared for the harassment from him when he finds you reported it.
You have to inform your superiors and if they don't take it seriously, contact LEO.
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:54 pm
by Stupid
How is that going to prevent me from either being fired or being fired upon?
I guess my point is, yes, i can do all that, but really, how can we resolve the issue peacefully?
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 8:00 pm
by flintknapper
Stupid wrote:How is that going to prevent me from either being fired or being fired upon?
Doesn't matter, do it immediately.
Hope all works out well, I recognize you are in an unenviable position...but your responsibilities are clear IMO.
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 8:35 pm
by hi-power
Let me give you some advice, Stupid. Don't ask a question and then reply with wise-guy comments to whoever responds. You've done that before and you apparently don't realize that it either makes people mad or they just ignore your posts.
I've found that people on this forum give their honest advice and to ridicule it or dismiss it out of hand is not very respectful. I'll give you one more shot.
Your boss is out of town and you can't carry a handgun at work, or you might get fired. Well, nobody can advise you to start packing at work.
As far as your comment about when was the last time the police stopped a crime before it happened, it happens every day...they don't keep those statistics.
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 8:44 pm
by Stupid
I hear you and I'll change accordingly. Sorry about the wise-guy comments, actually they are stupid.
Just those are conventional. yeah, i'll talk to my boss and let him handle it, but then what? Sit and wait?
hi-power wrote:Let me give you some advice, Stupid. Don't ask a question and then reply with wise-guy comments to whoever responds. You've done that before and you apparently don't realize that it either makes people mad or they just ignore your posts.
I've found that people on this forum give their honest advice and to ridicule it or dismiss it out of hand is not very respectful. I'll give you one more shot.
Your boss is out of town and you can't carry a handgun at work, or you might get fired. Well, nobody can advise you to start packing at work.
As far as your comment about when was the last time the police stopped a crime before it happened, it happens every day...they don't keep those statistics.
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:24 pm
by hi-power
Stupid wrote:I hear you and I'll change accordingly. Sorry about the wise-guy comments, actually they are stupid.
Stupid wrote:Just those are conventional. yeah, i'll talk to my boss and let him handle it, but then what? Sit and wait?
Who knows? Maybe your boss will be concerned enough to let you carry up at work for a little while.
A month ago a guy at my work was very upset that he'd been laid off due to his back injury. He really wanted to come back, but couldn't get a doctor's excuse to return to work. I only heard about it after he committed suicide, but he could have easily decided to try and take a few of us with him. I would never have expected him to take his own life, but you just never know.
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:16 pm
by Operators Edge
Also, write down everything that HAS happened or MIGHT happen. (Edited 10 Year Old Daughter Rule

carlson1), know what I mean? Talk to others that work with him and alert those trustworthy people to inform you of his actions. No matter how small.

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:22 pm
by ScubaSigGuy
The biggest thing is to not waste any time getting someone involved. Sure you might experience some negative side effects but you'll be alive to deal with them and that is the real point, right? I would hate to read in the paper that something happened because you waited to take action.
I hope that everything works out well.
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:34 pm
by Operators Edge
Amen.....
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:34 pm
by Venus Pax
I understand that you don't want the backlash from this.
First, try to keep your own name out of it. (I understand this may be difficult since only one other person heard it.)
Also, acquire this line: "I was concerned about you and wanted to get some help for you. You're going through a lot right now."
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 11:19 pm
by Wildscar
Stupid wrote:How is that going to prevent me from either being fired or being fired upon?
I guess my point is, yes, i can do all that, but really, how can we resolve the issue peacefully?
Lets look at it a diffrent way. some one threatens to bring bodiy harm to you and people around you and your worried about hurting his feelings.

I understand we all have those times where we say things we dont mean but if you felt this was not that case with this individual then up to you to report him and hope that action is taken. Hate to bring it up but the kids that normally do the shootings at schools all pretty much troubled and the signs where there but no one did anything to help prevent thier actions.