Serious help

[KnowTheToe]

This is so off topic, but I don't know what to do.

A few months ago a man my wife worked with threatened to kill the owner of the company. He said it several times to different peolpe and is known to have fits of anger. He was fired.

Last week he sent an email to the company saying that they wrecked his life and how unhappy and angry he was. Today they saw him driving circles around the parking lot. I am scared that he is going to come in with a gun, if not today, then on another day.

I don't know what to do. They are filing a restraint order, but I don't see that as very effective. I usually tackle my problems straight on, but I don't nkow how to do this. Any opinions?

 

[jgbrowning]

1st. Go to a lawyer. Find out what you can legally do. Find out what sorts of rights your wife, as an employee has concerning personal safety issues.. etc.
2nd. After than, haver her speak to the company about hiring some sort of guards, if there aren't any. If there are already, have your wife personally speak with the guards and inform them of the situation, after she speaks to her appropriate boss/human resources person.
3rd. If your serious, do this quick. It may be nothing. But the consequences if it does turn out to be something are too high to ignore.

try to let her do the talking, she's the one in the company your just her spouse. they have to listen to her, you on the otherhand could be more of a distraction than a benefit. dont take that personally, i dont mean anything against you.

joe b.

 

[Number47]

Today is Friday. Check the Sunday paper for a different job for her.

 

[belegost]

This happened at a corporation I used to work for. We were not a big office, only 150+ people but we were in decent sized multiple-story office building. The company contacted the building management and they worked together and actually had law enforcement there for a week or two. Apparently the police department (at least in our area) are pretty sensitive to this sort of thing and would rather be safe then sorry. Note that this was in addition to the regular building security (3rd party).

Your wife may want to approach the company and ask if anyone has reported this to the police and what the response was.

...and not that it will make you feel better but... We were told that people who come back usually don't broadcast it first. The ones who are screaming on the way out usually are just trying to scare everyone.

I was able to deal with the situation but I don't think I could have handled it if it was my wife instead of me working there. Good luck.

 

[KnowTheToe]

It would be easier if it was me.

Luckily the police department is right next door, they actually share the same parking lot. They have locked all of the doors and are very aware of their surroundings. I just don't like it when I am not in control. It is a small 12 person office.

I am not sure what the owner is planning, unfortuneately he is entertaining a large client today and has not been able to address the situation. Hopefully I will know more by the end of the day. I hope they contact a lawyer and deal with this very seriously, knowing them the way I do, I expect it to be dealt with very well.

I told her to look into the parking lot before leaving, that was all of the wisdom and power I have in this situation.

Maybe she should look for a job, but it is a very good job. As the holiday season approaches I am worried the extra stress and depression could push this guy over the edge. He has had emotional problems in the past.

Thanks for the input, it was good just to write some of this down.

 

[MEG Hal]

The main thing to do is be aware of your surroundings, and look for things that look wrong. Make sure people walk out in groups, if the police are next door maybe ask them to escort them out. If the owner was threatened and he is gone for the day maybe they are safe for the day, but get in touch with law enforcement and keep a record of what you see and when, document everything for the police. That is all I can think of for now.....for the record I am in law enforcement just not a police officer .
Good luck and tell her to be safe.

 

[Umbran]

My opinion - this is what we have police for.

Really, if there's evidence enough to file a restraining order, there's evidence enough that the local police can assign a clearly marked patrol car to be highly visible at the company for a while. They don't have to do anything. Simply being present will probably be good enough.

A cop sitting out in the parking lot, eating a donut, will likely be more effective than a restraining order.

 

[William Ronald]

As the police know about the situation, I think they are keeping an eye out for the disgruntled ex-employee.

Investigate all legal options, including restraining orders.

Also, if the owner has not hired security guards or taken other protective measures, your wife and the other co-workers should strongly suggest such steps.

KnowTheToe, I hope that everything works out well. The disgruntled employee sounds as if he needs the intervention of the police and/or professional psychiatrists.