I just received another incredibly aggressive phone call from the CEO of my organization.

I just received another incredibly aggressive phone call from the CEO of my organization. This is not the first time I have been told, “no, you are absolutely wrong “ or been yelled at over things she does not remember saying or doing. I have never filed a harassment complaint against anyone before, but today I had a panic attack after the call. I remained calm while on the call at least, but I am worried about backlash if I file a complaint.

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  1. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume Writer

    I like this approach! (Some people don't get subtleties.) Just make sure you check your energy before having this conversation - you want to present this in a way that mirrors how you would like her to speak to you. No anger or aggression.

  2. Anonymous

    Of course there will be tremendous backlash but at least there will be the beginning of a paper trail. If you make a complaint, make it in writing and make it detailed.

    As was pointed out below, HR ultimately works to protect the company so naturally they will do what they can to protect the CEO.

  3. Anonymous

    HR here. Document everything is like one of the biggest things I preach. Both managers and employees. Managers come to me "I want to fire so and so because they suck, and blah blah blah" okay but what are you doing? Where is your documentation? Have you given them any feedback." Same if someone files a complaint against a manager. Witnesses? Documentation?

    HR works for the company. CEO and employees, managers, etc. They are all the company.

  4. Anonymous

    Unfortunately that’s not been my experience with HR. I went to my orgs HR with a request to begin disciplinary measures on a mostly absent, incompetent employee. I had gone to my Director 6 months previously and at her direction had spent a large percentage of my time training, retraining, and documenting supervision goals and progress and her attendance with the employee. I submitted all to HR. They had 1 meeting with her during which she promised to get her act together. Then HR did absolutely nothing. I followed up with them 3 weeks later and they told me her previous case was closed and I would have to start fresh with new documentation if I wanted to file another process against her. Needless to say, I left shortly after that and she is still there, still displaying the same behaviors.

    Moral of the story: HR does not always make decisions in the best interests of the company, despite documented evidence. My advice to OP is to copy your private email on all communicated incidents for the lawsuit when they refuse to pay for your therapy.

  5. Anonymous

    They do - unfortunately

  6. Anonymous

    What are you looking to gain from the harassment complaint? Is this a private or public company? Are you looking to have the CEO disciplined or let go? Are you looking to be let go with a package? HR is there to protect the company, not to protect you per se. So regardless of what you decide to do about the HR complaint, you may also want to consider just starting a job search as well so you can have an exit plan.

  7. Anonymous

    Just to be clear. Do not, under any circumstance, go to HR. Document as much as possible, but do not talk about it internally, and least of all to HR. I don't care what company you work for. Going to HR will immediately put a target on your head.

  8. Anonymous

    Wow. Crappy advice.

  9. Anonymous

    HR works for the company. Usually they’re the friendly face of the company’s legal team.

  10. Anonymous

    Definitely NOT crappy advice. It is the best advice the OP will receive.

  11. Anonymous

    I work in HR. It's solid advice.

  12. Coach Nancie Kay Shuman

    Document everything, but n detail. Also, after every interaction with your boss, send an email recap. That way you have a paper trail. If you are able to use the recap method during your conversation, even better.

  13. cliff

    Yes, you may be able to sue your employer for verbal abuse. Although state law generally doesn't recognize it as a separate cause of action, verbal abuse can in some instances constitute illegal workplace discrimination under state and federal law. And if the verbal abuse is severe and outrageous enough, you may also be able to sue for intentional infliction of emotional distress. We discuss these two claims in detail elsewhere, but we will go over the nuts and bolts here.

    A lawsuit against your employer for verbal abuse is generally considered an employment law case. This type of case can get complicated, so you may want to consult an experienced employment law attorney and get a better sense of what your legal rights are before you take the plunge.The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recognizes verbal abuse as a serious workplace issue and has regulations that include protection for workers who report it. Workers that are victims of verbal abuse at work don't have to take it, and cannot be fired for reporting it. If you're an employer, you need to get the facts, quickly.Workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site.Workplace Violence - Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)Workplace Violence - Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)

    You are experiencing gaslighting at work. Gaslighting is abuse.

    Gaslighters can have narcissistic traits. However, narcissists often don’t understand the depth of their misbehavior and the harm it causes. Gaslighters, on the other hand, know exactly what to do to keep the victim on edge and gain complete control of the relationship. They are aware of what they are doing and the outcome of their actions. Gaslighting happens deliberately. The similarity with narcissism is that most of the time, the abusers believe themselves to be extremely important and always right. They lack empathy and hardly care about others’ feelings. They are only focused on getting what they want through manipulation or other forms of emotional abuse.Sounds like your boss may have NPD (narcissistic personality disorder) which is a mental illness....DO NOT GO TO HR...KEEP A RECORD OF EVERTHING...BBC e-mails to yourself...keep calm...DO NOT DO ANY RESEARCH ON WORK PC. Hostile work environment

    Probably the most common form of harassment is a hostile work environment. Harassment can create a hostile working environment if the unwelcome conduct is severe or pervasive enough to make the workplace:

    intimidating,

    hostile, or

    offensive.3

    A hostile work environment can be created by anyone, not just supervisors. It can also target any protected trait. Unlike with quid pro quo harassment, victims do not need to show that they suffered a tangible employment action. Victims do not necessarily need to suffer any economic loss or medical condition in order to have a claim.

    Federal anti-discrimination law prohibits harassment that impacts the conditions of employment. Working in a hostile environment makes the toleration of the harassment a condition of employment.4

    However, the workplace has to be both subjectively and objectively hostile for it to be unlawful harassment.

    To be subjectively hostile, the victim must have been offended or intimidated, personally.5

    To be objectively hostile, a reasonable person must find the working environment to be hostile, intimidating, or offensive.6

    Whether unwelcome or offensive conduct was severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile working environment will depend on all of the relevant factors and circumstances.7

    file a complaint with your state labor board...DO NOT TRUST HR

  14. Anonymous

    You need to talk to her. Stand up for yourself. She can say the same things without being abusive. Getting yelled at is not part of your job description.

    You should be looking for a new job so you can leave nicely. Document everything just in case something goes bad before you can leave. HR won’t save you.

  15. Anonymous

    I would make my exit the number 1 priority. There are patterns of behavior that are so systemic in an organization that they can't be positively addressed without the "regime change" of upper management. Could that be the case here? I agree that going to HR Is the kiss of death in situations like this. If you can't have a conversation with the CEO to reset the dynamics, it's far better for your mental health to know there are options beyond your current position and act on them.

  16. GirlBossanova934974

    ONE of the first things you learn as a leader or CEO is that you NEVER yell at subordinates. It is just not done. The reason is simple. People quickly lose confidence in leaders who get rattled and lose their composure. There may be strong differences of opinion between you and your staff. This can and must be tolerated. Otherwise, you find yourself surrounded by YES men and YES women. And that is the quickest way to total disaster. The final decision belongs to the CEO. That being said, you are dealing with someone who probably shouldn't be in the job she now holds. As you are dealing with a CEO, you are probably best served going elsewhere and looking for another place to work. If these sort of tirades have been going on for some time, it is not likely they are going to end. Best of Luck!

  17. Crystal Howell

    It is your right, and we now have retaliation laws stay calm, no gossiping, file complaint, monitor emails and calls keep professional.

    Get a recruiter. Document and record her next tandrum, no one has the right to continue to act like that. Seek attorney advice before filing.

  18. Anonymous

    Does your company have an anonymous hotline where you can report this? That is the best place to report this activity if you are afraid of retaliation, it is received by your council and an external legal team who would report the complaint to the board rather than the CEO.

  19. Anonymous

    Something is wrong with CEOs and senior management these days. They are losing their minds and for some reason don’t understand how their tantrums are affecting their employees. I have been working my butt off, and at the peak of a deadline, the President of the company asked for a meeting. After dealing with senior management being completely cruel to me, I finally broke down and started crying during my meeting with the President. I realized in that moment how much bullying and abuse I had been receiving. Apparently, these people reported ME for being “insubordinate”, while trying to juggle all their demands. You HAVE to report this. The return to office has been a nightmare of not only juggling office politics but entering a toxic work environment, especially for women! I have experienced both micro- and macro-aggressions upon my forced return to the office. Apparently, I have no choice but to enter this environment three days a week, and I am expected to smile and like it. Last week, the CEO threatened to fire anyone who didn’t fill out the survey for Best Workplace. The problem is how do you report the President and CEO?!

  20. Nova Smith

    Read "Non-violent Communication" by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg. It's a short read. When you are finished, gift it to your CEO. This book is changing companies.

  21. Alicha Lobo

    Honestly, do it! It’s better to be heard than letting people continue to do that. It’s illegal for the company to do anything to you if you report a complaint.

  22. Anonymous

    I’ve been through this twice although not with a CEO. Start planning your exit and looking for another job. In the meantime start documenting everything if you haven’t already. HR isn’t your friend but you will need to file a complaint or a few with them, your manager or your ombudsman if there is one at the company. I’m telling you that in the event things escalate. A lot of people don’t realize that if you resign or quit due to a hostile workplace and can prove your case, you can get unemployment. It’s not ideal especially if you were making a great salary but it saves your mental health if the situation becomes unbearable. Cc yourself on any correspondence, screenshot any incoming calls and try to record them if you can. Screenshot Slack, Teams or whatever other messaging may be used as well and keep all of it on your personal computer as proof. I did this in both situations and was able resign and get unemployment because I had solid proof and had complained to HR. I’m in NY not sure if rules are different by state or internationally.

  23. Anonymous

    HR is there to assist you as much as they can. We also know things that others may not, like it is illegal to record others without their consent in some states. It could get you fired for cause immediately, regardless of if you have a valid claim against your CEO.

  24. Anonymous

    HR exists to keep the organization out of legal trouble by thwarting potential law suits, manufacturing cause to fire people is one way they thwart potential law suits. . To the original poster, document everything, look for another job as methodically and quickly as possible. I am very sorry for the psychological AND physical toll this taking on you.

  25. A M

    I dealt with this with a CEO because I went to his assistant and not him directly so he threatened to fire me. File that harrassment complaint!

  26. Anonymous

    You should do it same thing was happening to me so I filled one and he got in trouble

  27. Ayian

    If it is legal in your area, start recording your interactions on your phone. If they are digital interactions like Zoom, consider OBS (a streaming software) to discreetly record those meetings. If you are interested in this and need any help, let me know. By using a secondary software to record your computer's input and output, you can circumvent notifications sent to others that the video is being recorded. Again, be sure that it is legal in your state.

    Document, document, document. HR is already doing this. A panic attack is no joke and never appropriate to create for another person.

    In the mean time, try taking 1g (1,000mg) of rhodiola daily to calm those frazzled nerves. It doesn't fix the source of your problem here, but there's no reason for you to suffer needlessly. There are a lot of great clinical trials studying this herb and proving its efficacy. The only contraindication is for bipolar people currently in a manic cycle.

    I hope some or all of this helps Take care of yourself while you're busy looking for somewhere else to be.

  28. Heather Cutler

    Respectfully, please take a long hard look at where you are in the pecking order. You will be much easier to replace than the CEO. This work relationship is coming to an end. Do yourself a favor and start aggressively planning your exit.

  29. Anonymous

    You don’t provide much background on this relationship or where you fit in to the organization. However, I would assume that if you’re speaking to the CEO you are at an executive level. Maybe this is normal behavior for this CEO. Ask around. Maybe she is just bd at managing and communicating. Maybe you’re wrong. If this upsets you to the point of filing a claim, it’s time to leave. Get more details on her and look at yourself first.

  30. Marcia Smith

    I have found that monthly therapy visits help me understand my behavior and the behavior of everyone in my life - my family, my friends - AND every person I work with. I wish that I had been in monthly maintenance therapy my entire career - I would have been SO much more prepared to be authentic and I would have also been a much better communicator - and would not have accepted the guilt that others tried to burden me with.

    Whatever is going on with this CEO likely has nothing to do with you. This type of behavior is clearly abusive. Is there someone in HR that you can speak to confidentially?

    You probably have a decision to make - stay knowing that this abuse will continue - or start looking for a new job

    Your emotional and psychological health is important - don't undervalue yourself and your happiness.

  31. Anonymous

    Hi there! I agree with one of the comments below. More info is needed. Are you in a workplace that is unionized? non-unionized? What made the phone call aggressive (i.e. actions)? Has this happened before with you all?

    I'm an HR Professional, but I practice outside of HR and work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and report directly to a CEO vs HR. My advice would be to report it to HR for future events that might happen like this.

    There is a chance the retaliation would come about, but if you don't have it reported, there's not much that HR can do. If retaliation actions happen from your manager and or the CEO. There is the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the organization for retaliation for filing a report for workplace harassment and or a hostile work environment created by your CEO.

    If it gets like this for me personally, I start to look for another space. My well being and value in the work place is more important.

    (Please note this is not legal advice, and you should make the decision that makes you feel most comfortable)

  32. Nibor Eroom

    I have read most of the replies and I would like to challenge the ‘go find another job’ advice. This is a forum for us to bring our struggles. Most of the time in a hostile work environment, we tend to tell them to move on, ACCEPTING this behavior. How will our workplaces ever change if we continue to ‘move on.? I’ve been moving on my entire life. I could write a book about all of the abuse and harassment, gaslighting and hostility I have experienced in the workplace. I’m turning 60 next year and I have nothing but regrets for not holding some of these people accountable.

    How will these behaviors ever get called out if we continue to accept the behavior by ‘moving on.? Yes, our peace of mind is important. Perhaps we would feel better if we demanded the behavior stop by attempting to hold these people accountable.

  33. Scott Siaka

    It may seem scary to do but it needs to be reported. I was so worred about backlash that I updated my resume and started searching for another job as soon as I reported my supervisor's behavior. I was luck enough to have recorded a snippet of one of his tirade's on my cell phone so there was proof. After I reported him they started investigating and a lot of other emplyees came forward. They ended up terminating him for bulllying. The President of the organization thanked me for coming forward and told me she knew how hard it must have been to do and that she had a zero tolerance policy when it came to behaviors like that.

  34. Janet Parkhurst

    Congrats, Tyson! If we had more people like you in the workplace, those who have the guts to try to change nasty work environments for the better would be far more successful in doing so. Nothing changes without RISK and EFFORT.

  35. Daniela Iancu

    Might be best to find a way to do both - holding them accountable and getting out of a toxic environment. Changing a toxic environment as an individual is almost impossible, and trying to do the impossible can easily lead to feeling a failure.

  36. Janet Parkhurst

    Actually, Daniela, I would feel like a failure if I didn't try at all. I'd much rather fight an"impossible" battle and lose than take the passive role of just getting out.

  37. Anonymous

    Well said.

  38. Janet Parkhurst

    Thank you!

  39. Anonymous

    Nibor, thank you for bringing this up. I agree that continuing to move on will not fix the way others may be treated by this individual, but other than reporting this and letting this person know how much it hurts, how else can I hold this person accountable? I do provide honest feedback when I complete an exit interview, but again, unless they are willing to be aware and change, I cannot force them.

  40. Nibor Eroom

    I know you’re making a valid point. I just think we, as employees, women in the workplace, whatever we may be, we deserve to be valued. If we silently just move on, this behavior is never checked. ‘A thousand points of light…”

  41. Anonymous

    Hear, here!! During an appropriate time, like 1:1, I’ve addressed the situation saying that I will not tolerate it again, and will walk out (take PTO and return when I’m ready), if it happens. I have. I will, and will do so again. I’ve never been fired, and the issue stopped.

  42. Debbie Shapiro

    This is such a great comment. Like you, I am at the end stage of my work career. I have also experienced some horrible bosses - ones that yelled at me, ones that undermined me, ones that carelessly gave nonconstructive feedback that haunt me to this day. Sometimes things they have said stunned me to the point I couldn't make a response. Today, I'm just angry for my younger self. I think we need a two-pronged approach. Look for the next opportunity, but also speak out about the behavior you (OP) are experiencing that is unacceptable.

  43. Anonymous

    RE: "How will our workplaces ever change if we continue to ‘move on.?"

    Not your business, not your job to waste your time and energy trying to change what is noty yours to change.

    At the end of the day will you look back and say with a smile of your face I changed the culture at XYZ Inc.? Will anyone at XYZ Inc. remember you and what you did?

    Like you, I too have been moving on my entire life, becuase I have much better things to do than try and fix workplaces that I do not own. I would much rather spend my energy with my family and friends than fighting with my employer.

  44. Nibor Eroom

    So you fixed the issue for yourself which is healthy and great. How many people do you think these bullies and gaslighters have damaged since you moved on? I think about this often, so in the last situation, before moving on, I documented everything. I provided this documentation to the 1 HR person this place had as well as to ‘our’ department head. While he knew I had to move on to protect my own sanity, he at least now has some information should she do the same thing to the next person. I was loud and vocal about how I was treated. I confronted her with her lies every time the last six months. When the perfect opportunity arose, I was gone. Because I confronted her wherever and whenever she chose to yell, lie, or misrepresent, there is doubt in the office about her honesty and her gaslighting. Interestingly enough, I had written a grant and after I left, she did not submit the results (which I had completed), to the entity that administered the grant. She told them that I didn’t complete it. I work with the same company now and have shared my results. They know she is lying. Some may never believe you because these people are masters of manipulating, but some amount of doubt is better than saying nothing and quietly moving on.

  45. Anonymous

    You should think back to the conversation and what might have triggered that response. CEO's tend to overreact especially in startups as they generally shoulder much of the stress of the board and internal dynamics. Ask for a sit down- let her know how her reaction affected you and ask for a kinder gentler way to message corrective behavior or feedback going forward. If you allow that yelling it will happen again. As an alternative I have found walking away from the person when they are behaving poorly makes it stop, or repeating what they said to you right after they said it, as if you are in disbelief. Often when people hear the parrot in the room they realize immediately how bad they were. Do file a complaint with the EEOC for hostile workplace - or with internal HR if you think it may help. In most states the requirement is for the company to do an independent investigation and must do it in 30 days. Stay strong and don't be bullied. You must not let yourself be treated this way.

  46. Bradford McCormick

    You've received a lot of good advice here.

    Do not in any way let this obviously mentally ill person "bait" you into harming yourself. Look for a new job. But so long as you are there, this person is the greatest CEO in the whole world and you sincerely appreciate her helpful guidence to you in trying to do your very best for the comany in your role. Think what you like. Keep it to yourself. No good can come from praying when God is bad.

  47. Nicole Christensen

    Thank you for the advice, but I disagree with your final statement. Prayers can make a difference and God is not bad. I am not sure what has happened in your life that brings you to that conclusion, but I am sorry.

  48. Cat the Coach

    I may be misreading, but I think he was using this as a euphemism with the CEO as God. It's tough when the very top person in the organization is toxic. I'm so sorry for your experience.

  49. Anonymous

    Look for another job and also file a complaint if you feel strong enough. I say you must feel strong because I know from experience HR is there to protect the company and not you. They will do everything they can to keep her in power if she produces. I filed a complaint against a very abusive boss and they offered me a package for 6 months pay. They did what they could to get rid of me and keep her. Eventually she got fired when another employee sued the company for her abuse. Be careful if you go this route. That being said it is important not to let this behavior go unchecked. You can always know you tried to stop it.

  50. DeBorah Walker

    Excellent!!! HR is there for management, and will get rid of all others. I learned this...and my desire to be an HR manager as diminished. I wanted to be an HR manager for the people...ha my naivete.

  51. Anonymous
  52. DeBorah Walker

    Good evening, you should not be having panic attacks at work like that. Your environment working relationship with this woman is toxic at best. If you file a complaint you know there's going to be backlash are you willing to deal with that and continue working there. You need to look for another position take your time plan your strategy and bounce.

  53. Kerry Roper

    Having been “moving on” most of my career, these comments are very encouraging. It’s even harder when you have to move on from one of the most abusive and dysfunctional workplaces, my DAD’s business. Granted I learned a huge amount but ultimately decided the emotional toll was not worth the menial pay that he begrudgingly paid. It’s up to the women to bring empathy and grace to the workplace and model these qualities for younger women coworkers. Some of the toughest jobs teach us more about ourselves than hard skills. The idea of growing a business with my dad was a dream until it became a nightmare. Then it empowered me to be able to work anywhere, challenging me to learn to communicate effectively and how to deal with the worst of the worst. Nerves of steel helps too. They’re hard earned nerves.

  54. Anonymous

    I echo the advice to document everything. Something to consider before you go to HR is whether your company is public or private. If it's private, I doubt filing a complaint with HR will do anything to improve your situation and may make it worse. I dealt with exactly the same situation when working for a private company where the CEO was the owner and HR was a single person who was a close relative of the CEO. I was stuck and had no recourse. However, because I was in a position where the CEO considered me someone they could call to yell at, it also meant I was able to learn new skills and take on high visibility projects that would help position me for a better role at a healthier company. I bided my time, stacked my resume, and eventually found a new job at a company with a healthy, positive work environment and leadership who supported their employees. Just remember that at the end of the day, your health and wellbeing is more important than any job. If it comes down to it, make sure you know what is needed to qualify for unemployment (like your documentation) if you have no choice but to quit due to an abusive workplace.

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