How to deal with this? (work related)?

Question

My husband works in construction and has been at this particular job site for over a year. His supervisor is a nice guy, has invited our family to his house for BBQ’s once in a while, and my husband and this man get along pretty well for the most part. Well about 4 months ago, the supervisor just flipped out on my husband when they were in the work trailer discussing some work related stuff. The supervisor was having a bad day and had personal things going on, but got very angry with my husband. Instead of fighting the guy, my husband started to walk away and the supervisor got angry that he wouldn’t fight him. 5 years ago? Yes, my husband would have clocked him. But he has a 5 yr old daughter, we have a 21 month old son, and his priorities are different now.

Well the supervisor went after my husband and ended up punching him a few times. Again, my husband said he was walking away and didn’t want to fight back. (Note: the supervisor is a heavy guy and my husband is in great shape so he COULD have punched him if he wanted to) And after the fact, the supervisor called my husband, kissing his *** and apologizing profusely. He said NOT to tell any person on the job site. Well either way, my husband needs his job and he had no intentions on running his mouth, however somehow it got out anyways. Whether someone witnessed it, overheard, whatever the case is, it’s now public knowledge amongst his workers.

My husband is now at a different job site with a different supervisor. Only because the job ended NOT because of any other reason. And the big bosses called him in for a meeting today and wanted to know the details of what happened back 4 months ago. My husband called me freaking out in fear he’d lose his job, but he still says he did nothing wrong and never fought back. And now he doesn’t want to be put in a position to have to rat someone out…

I told my husband to go ahead to the meeting, explain that it was just an argument, and answer their questions as simple as possible. No extra information. And I also told him to say that he needs his job and really doesn’t want to put himself in jeopardy.

What would you do in this position? Would you speak up about the person they’re inquiring about? How would you deal with this?

Answer 1

I'd tell the new supervisor that "we'd had a disagreement, tempers flared, but we resolved the issue. End of story."

If they persisted, I'd say "over time, gossip has a way of blowing small things out of proportion"

Answer 2

He needs to be absolutely honest with the big bosses.  Tell them exactly what happened that day.  I would assume they will meet with your husband and his supervisor separately.  If that's the case, the problem is that you never really know what the other person will say and your husband should have his resume prepared, just in case.

Hopefully, it will work out...

Answer 3

He needs to tell the truth. He should have reported it as soon as it happened b/c things like this can occur. Hopefully their were witnesses there to back your husband up. Try to get their statements in writing and have them sign it. It will help his case. Good luck.  

Answer 4

Your husband should have reported his supervisor to the big bosses at work. Your husband had a legitimate lawsuit on his hands for being assaulted by his boss.  

Answer 5

Well I think he should keep hush hush about it. Said that the supervisor was having an off day so instead of having a confrontation he walked out of the trailer and that is all I would say

Answer 6

First of all, your husband's job is not in jeopardy.  Someone on the job already witnessed the event so he's going to have to tell the truth and be upfront about who hit him.  There's nothing wrong in saying what happened.  He shouldn't hold back any details because what could happen is that former supervisor could lie.  So the more honest your husband is, the better off he'll be.

What those big bosses are worried about is your husband filing a lawsuit against them.  Not the other way around.  Your husband should speak up and make sure this doesn't ever happen to anyone else.

Answer 7

!st of all, he has to get his nosy wife to BUTT OUT. Then remember that NO boss has the right to so much as cuss at an employee. Any boss who looses self control under ANY circumstances and get physical has no business being a boss. If he is considered a friend SURPRISE!! what does his enemies face. Leave the job at the job site and the family  (& or other) problems at HOME. friendship should NEVER include co workers, especially the boss. What in the world was he thinking. Tell him you will stand by him, if he feels he needs to look elsewhere for employment or should loose his job but he should never put up with that.