I joined the Great Resignation and quit my retail management job last May. One of the BEST decisions I’ve ever made, but I’m still processing what a toxic work environment I was in, and a post on here today reminded me of a specific incident that happened early in my management career.
I was in a new store, in a new role. I was still trying to figure out their specific interpretations of company policy, and I directed an employee to do something, (I don’t even remember what it was now, that was how much of a nonissue it was), and she got really still and pissed off and said, “well (other manager) told me to do it this way.” I think I said something to the effect of, “oh, I’m sorry, that’s how we did it at the other store! As long as it gets done.” And thought that was the end of it.
She was scheduled the next day, and didn’t show up. She called right around the time her shift started, and my comanager picked up. I was never told what was said exactly, but the gist of it was that she called the store and threatened violence/death against me and one of our key carriers.
I was terrified and extremely uncomfortable when I found this out. She ended up getting admitted to inpatient treatment for a bipolar episode. When I asked my manager how it was going to be handled from a disciplinary angle, she brushed it off and said she’d “bubble it up.”
A few days later, I found out the company had decided that protecting their asses against a potential discrimination lawsuit was more important than my or the key carrier’s physical safety. They wouldn’t even consider letting anyone transfer to avoid further conflict. When she came back, I asked if it was possible to just not be scheduled as the only manager when she was working and was again told it wasn’t possible. My manager told me to never direct her or correct her on anything, which pretty much meant she got to come in and act however she wanted without repercussions. I would get stomach aches when I saw her on the schedule, bc I knew it meant a long and anxious shift for me, and more work for everyone else. She eventually moved in about 6 months before I quit. But I have always felt this impotent rage that I was put in this position and felt like I had no choice but to accept it, or lose my livelihood. The company claimed they were always “advocates for the associate” but I felt that it completely failed in empowering or protecting me as an employee.
I try to always be compassionate towards others suffering from mental illness, but I’m a firm believer that you are still accountable for the things you do and people you hurt when you’re going through it.
TLDR: HR refused to discipline a coworker who made death threats against me because she was bipolar and they were afraid of litigation. HR doesn’t care about you, they care about image and profits.