March 21, 2012

Managers must deal with disruptive worker

• Post a comment |
• E-mail |
• Print
• • Share:
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

By Marie G. McIntyre / McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Q: I work in a county government agency with a co-worker, "Pam," who is crazy. Pam's mental state is so deteriorated that she has been placed in an empty office where she cries and screams all day. She keeps yelling things like "I am not a murderer" and "I never killed anyone."

The human resources manager says there's nothing management can do about this. Our boss sometimes sends Pam home, but he can't do that every day. The rest of us are sick of the drama and concerned for our safety. We've shared our fears with management, but nothing changes. Is there anything we can do?

A: This is ridiculous. No employer is required to tolerate an employee who is both highly disruptive and quite possibly psychotic. If your managers are worried about legal liability, their real concern should be what happens if they fail to act and someone is harmed as a result.

Since your HR manager appears to be totally useless, you and your colleagues should contact the county's legal department. An attorney with experience in employment law can advise your agency head about the proper way to handle this situation. Before taking any action with Pam, management should also consult with security and mental health experts to ensure that no one gets hurt.

For your own safety, you must minimize contact with this deranged woman. Remain pleasant and friendly, but keep your distance. As you have already seen, people with paranoid tendencies frequently incorporate those around them into their fantasies, so you want to avoid becoming part of Pam's delusions.

Marie G. McIntyre is a workplace coach. Submit questions at www.yourofficecoach.com.

• Post a comment |
• E-mail |
• Print
• • Share:
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

Read more
Workplace Topics, management

0 Comments

Leave a comment

* required field

Your name: *

E-mail address: (Will not be displayed)

Your comment: *

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.