What can I do about my boss's violent behavior?

Question

I work for a small business and the owner has become increasingly abusive to myself and all my coworkers, including my immediate supervisor. He has gone so far as to throw objects at me and destroy property in fits of rage. I am a single parent and cannot afford to be jobless or to hire an attorney, so I don't feel like I can go to the police yet. What can I do or who can I contact?

Answer 1

Start job hunting right away.  What if this escalates?  If he's threatening and assaulting anyone, the police should be called.  Of course, you'll probably be fired, but you should at least be able to collect unemployment.  You may be able to sue the guy.  Any of this is going to be a big mess for you, IMHO.

I hope you and your co-workers are documenting all of this.  Write it down, with dates, times, what went on, and witnesses.  You may need this in the future, if you wind up in court.

He could be on drugs, mentally unstable, you just don't know.

What choice do you have? What if he hurts you and you can't work for awhile or have a permanent disability?

Please, get another job somewhere.  Try temporary agencies, if you can. I just can't see any good way for you to get this guy help, when he's the boss and acting so badly.

I'm not an attorney or in law enforcement.  I'm just giving you what I came up with.  Good Luck.

Answer 2

Look for another job.

Answer 3

Sound like he is under a lot of financial stress, the business may not be doing very well in the current economic situation. While you still have a job, at least until the business possibly fails, start looking for another job. Don't wait, find another job now.