Rights of individuals

I have a question and would be interested to hear opinions on this.

At the hospital we have a lounge where we have lockers with our names on them. A refrigerator and a table where we can eat if we have time anyhow political pictures and comments have been posted on some of those lockers, two of which I found very offensive. One is a picture of Bush, ( please no potshots at Bush that is not the basis of this question, it could be any President) On the picture this girl painted horns on the top of his head. Now she is 34 years old, old enough to be above such juvenile behavior IMO. We have discussed this and i have told her how offended i am with this picture, she persists with leaving it there. The other woman is 60 and has words on her locker Please kill G Bush.

My question is With individual rights guaranteed what is your opinion of placing this type of behavior on lockers etc in a work place environment especially when violence is advocated in the one instance. These are the two worst case scenerios but there are more. I request that no Bush bashing take place here. Do i as an individual, an American have the right at my place of work too to not be subjected to such behavior or disrespect.

I think anything that falls in the category of offensive in the workplace would not be allowed whether that be sexually offensive, or otherwise.

Have you talked to your human resources department about it ?

You could always send them an annonymous letter stating how you feel about it - problem is they will make a HUGE drop the hammer on everyone statement to fix it and that might be asking for more than what you really wanted to accomplish.

Personally I say simply wait till no one is looking and remove it. They dont own the outside of their lockers. Even better - spill coffee on it first and leave it there looking soaked so they think someone did it by accident.

amainachen wrote:

My question is With individual rights guaranteed what is your opinion of placing this type of behavior on lockers etc in a work place environment especially when violence is advocated in the one instance. These are the two worst case scenerios but there are more. I request that no Bush bashing take place here. Do i as an individual, an American have the right at my place of work too to not be subjected to such behavior or disrespect.

You have every right and you should have policies at work that address things like or other things allowed to be posted ask your Human Resourse Office what they can do about it. Someone need to explain the too someone that kill G Bush could be taken as a threat by the secret service.

Good Luck!

You have the right to work in a non-threatening work environment. Since you work in a hospital, I'm guessing your employee handbook has a section on what constitutes a safe work environment and what to do if you feel threatened. This doesn't mean just physically but free from harassment and mental anguish. If this person's behavior is threatening to you, physically or mentally, I would say report it to your HR Department. The threat of violence (even if directed toward GWB or anyone other than yourself) should be something your employer will protect you against...the disrespect may be more difficult but not impossible. For example, if a person hangs a picture of a noose or someone with a bullet in their head, that would be indicative of a threat of physical harm to someone, but the drawing of horns on a public figure (while not funny) may not get the same attention...may be dismissed as horseplay and the person (and you) just called into HR and asked to be more sensitive to others' feelings.

At the very least, your concerns should get a reaction from HR and they should conduct an investigation one way or the other to see if the threat is significant, if it threatens your safe workplace and whether any disciplinary action should be taken.

p.s. sorry you have to be exposed to that sort of thing.

Thank you all for your reponses. I understand the horns onthe picture isn't threatening but rather offensive to me and to a few others. The lady that has the violent statement on it is another matter. I don't feel threatened by it and if i felt she were a threat to Pres. Bush I wouldn't hesitate to report it but she speaks many hateful things without thinking. Like calling Palin a slut, woah I said. She is not a slut if you disagree with her politics that is one thing but is in no way a slut and its a shame you have to take personal dig at someone. I won't even go to what she says about McCain and Obama. She is a Hilary supporter all the way. Anyhow i'm not sure about taking it to Human resources. I have spoken to the ones who have posted things which i felt are offensive. If they put a picture up with the person they support ok but i asked that the offensive material be taken down. As of now it hasn't. I could and have thought about taking it off their locker but felt that invaded their rights to do so so I haven't done anything except to confront them individually.

I feel the work place is not a place to display things like that. Because everyone needs to be respectful of how others they work with may feel or see what they are displaying. Just my opinion of course.

i would definitely contact Mgmt over this issue. for me, it would be a matter of principle. i've never heard of such a thing taking place at a POB! i hope this matter gets settled for you soon, Deb

I agree with Coo

especially if the individuals are not listening when you share your feelings with them.

Threats against the President of the US is extrememly serious stuff. I'd be williing to bet that person's job is on the line here.

Make sure you document all your convos and actions if you are going to take it farther. Also make sure she has nothing to retaliate with like - really ? well she has a picture of . . . on her locker and has said she wants to kill . . . .I blah blah. Make sure your own doorstep is clean first so to speak. If you're willing to deal with the backlash which will surely come from taking action. This is what I would do.

I'd put in writing to the person how you feel about her threat, devil picture, etc on her locker door in full view at work. I'd take copies of that letter and make sure the date handed to the other person is recorded - with a signed witness would be best. I'd ask her plainly in writing to remove it. I'd document her schedule if you could and give her say 3 working days to remove it herself. If she does not I'd then I'd go farther. If you have a good relationship with your boss you really should go to him/her first. When you go to your boss state firmly you want to talk to someone in HR . If you dont then it might get handled on a dept level rather than a full hospital level where it belongs.

It really is out of line especially in a hospital to be wishing murder and death on anyone. I know my hospital has strict codes of empathy and caring for all individuals and that would be in serious violation with the code of the hospital.

Morgan Rowan wrote:

I agree with Coo

especially if the individuals are not listening when you share your feelings with them.

Threats against the President of the US is extrememly serious stuff. I'd be williing to bet that person's job is on the line here.

Make sure you document all your convos and actions if you are going to take it farther. Also make sure she has nothing to retaliate with like - really ? well she has a picture of . . . on her locker and has said she wants to kill . . . .I blah blah. Make sure your own doorstep is clean first so to speak. If you're willing to deal with the backlash which will surely come from taking action. This is what I would do.

I'd put in writing to the person how you feel about her threat, devil picture, etc on her locker door in full view at work. I'd take copies of that letter and make sure the date handed to the other person is recorded - with a signed witness would be best. I'd ask her plainly in writing to remove it. I'd document her schedule if you could and give her say 3 working days to remove it herself. If she does not I'd then I'd go farther. If you have a good relationship with your boss you really should go to him/her first. When you go to your boss state firmly you want to talk to someone in HR . If you dont then it might get handled on a dept level rather than a full hospital level where it belongs.

It really is out of line especially in a hospital to be wishing murder and death on anyone. I know my hospital has strict codes of empathy and caring for all individuals and that would be in serious violation with the code of the hospital.

I will talk to my manager first I believe. They have nothing to come against me. Only pictures on my locker are my children and i have one of clay. No comments about the other party. As a matter of fact I ususaly say nothing unless something mean spirited and hateful is done. I may try to talk to the girls again. I don't think anyone in managment wouldhave seen this because its in a room where the nurses go. Our managment isn't in the room. Our manager doesn't even go in there ,she has her own office, bathroom etc.

thanks everyone