Is making a fist considered a threat? (work, fired, training)
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I got into a heated argument with a coworker. Our supervisor was there. Now, this coworker is kind of stupid, doesn't know her job, but I'm not going into details. Anyway, this was a discussion about something so trivial, but she just didn't want to listen and kept talking over me. Our voices got loud (especially mine - hate to admit, but I've got a temper!) and at one point I brought my hand up into a fist. Supervisor then began yelling at me, insinuating that I was threatening! I was mad, but not to where I'd resort to striking.
The work place environment was already hostile with loud voices and a raised fist can be considered a threat of violence to others so there was no "insinuation" at that point it was/is fact.
What do you mean by the phrase, "brought my hand up into a fist?" Did you clench your fist, raise it in the air, gesture toward her with it, kokk it back as though to strike... more detail would be helpful, but yes, at first read, it does sound like something that could have been considered a threatening gesture. In some circumstances, that could legally constitute assault.
At any rate, try as I might, I can not even begin to imagine any conceivable circumstances in which such a gesture could be considered remotely appropriate in a professional interaction.
Granted, I grew up in Korea where it's not unheard of to have superiors yell and scream at you as well as hit you and slap you, etc.
More recently, this happened with a Korean Airlines female executive (who is also the daugher of the chairman) where she was in first class on a flight and the flight attendant served her macademia nuts incorrectly (the flight attendant didn't open the bag and serve the nuts on a plate but instead served the unopened bag on a plate). The executive went nuts (no pun intended) and asked to see the head flight attendant and made him kneel in front of her on the plane while she yelled at him. He also asked to see the training guide and repeatedly hit him on the head with the booklet as he was kneeling in front of her. She then turned the plane around and kicked him off the flight.
Yes, it was a bit too far and the executive resigned due to social pressure. This is not an isolated incident though...this happens every day.
So country and context is important. In Korea, a raised clenched fist wouldn't be much but here in the USA, it is a threatening move and you will likely be fired. It is an HR liability and the woman doesn't even have to file a complaint if others saw it.
I got into a heated argument with a coworker. Our supervisor was there. Now, this coworker is kind of stupid, doesn't know her job, but I'm not going into details. Anyway, this was a discussion about something so trivial, but she just didn't want to listen and kept talking over me. Our voices got loud (especially mine - hate to admit, but I've got a temper!) and at one point I brought my hand up into a fist. Supervisor then began yelling at me, insinuating that I was threatening! I was mad, but not to where I'd resort to striking.
Rick, if you got away without being fired for raising your fist, you are on the receiving end of an undeserved miracle. This is technically considered assault. If your supe is smart, he would have canned you on the spot because of the policies in place against workplace violence. Guess how easy it would be for you to find your next job.
Don't count your blessings yet. Your co-worker has every right to file a complaint for assault. Even if the criminal charges go nowhere, she can bring civil charges. And she has an unimpeachable witness - your manager.
I got into a heated argument with a coworker. Our supervisor was there. Now, this coworker is kind of stupid, doesn't know her job, but I'm not going into details. Anyway, this was a discussion about something so trivial, but she just didn't want to listen and kept talking over me. Our voices got loud (especially mine - hate to admit, but I've got a temper!) and at one point I brought my hand up into a fist. Supervisor then began yelling at me, insinuating that I was threatening! I was mad, but not to where I'd resort to striking.
Yes it's threatening and you should be worried about getting fired.
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