Hostile Work enviorment?
 

I recently started with a 135 outfit. No issues through training. Got on the line and the pilot I was paired up with was a serious psychopath. He started the same time I did. Very threatening behavior to many employees. Had multiple complaints from ground crew to cabin crew. He came at me one day and I was very concerned for my safety, though no physical contact was made. HR had to get involved. Turns out the guy was fired from last job for this behavior and the company was warned about him by other company.

HR did a really bad job of “investigating”. They never even spoke with me to get my side of the story. Though apparently had multiple conversation with other pilot. HR didn’t give me any options, said working with him was my only option. I decided to find new employment at that point.

I really liked the job and wanted to keep it but I wasn’t going to fly with this jackoff. Even the cabin crews stated they were afraid to fly with him. What can I do? Only openings are to fly with this guy. He will eventually blow up at another pilot but in the meantime I am out of a job.

I have spoken with a lawyer but don’t want to go down the path of suing the company. If anything I want my job back but not if I have to fly with this psychopath. What other options do I have here?

Lot of other jobs out there. People are entitled to be a little...eccentric.., but threatening? You don’t want to work with them. Not in aviation. HR is eventually going to have to deal with him, but in this day and age to avoid losing a wrongful termination suit the amount of documentation of cause for termination pretty much must exceed the weight of the person being fired.

Go elsewhere. You don’t want to be flying at night in icing conditions with “a serious psychopath” that you can’t trust.

You probably won't carry much weight with HR. You will have to get at least two minorities on your side before any action will be taken.

Get another job

If this was at a big six carrier, it would be worth fighting. If it was a big six, your union would fight this for you. Many other jobs out there. Change jobs, and after you have your new job, tell your current boss why you are leaving.

Joe

Yes.


No.

Other than maybe a little revenge or social justice this in no way helps YOU.

It might possibly help the employer, giving them a datapoint before the dude in question gets them sued or worse, but if their inability to sort out their own house caused you to have to get a new job, you don't owe them a thing.

But there is downside... you will need that employer as a reference for future jobs, don't want to depart under any kind of a cloud or shadow. Frankly the ex-employer will tend to sympathize more with the guy still there than the guy who left.

Thanks for all the responses. I must not have communicated well enough that I had already left the company. I did so on the spot during my conversation with HR and other management. I was effectively given only one option which was to continue to fly with the individual in question. I was not given someone else to fly with. There were no other options so I chose to resign effective immediately. I just don't think they had anyone else I could fly with. I do know they had asked at least 2 other pilots and neither would pair with him due to his reputation.

This was very poorly handled by HR, they did no investigation and never spoke with me about this issue beyond my written report. They had extensive discussions with the other pilot. I am told he is currently on suspension.

I was contacted by HR shortly after my resignation and it was a very short phone call with the HR rep stating the company was accepting my resignation. I wasn't aware they had a choice?

I was fortunately was picked up by a competitor across the field a few days later (ironically the company that fired the guy in question previously for threatening other employees).

Frankly I am shocked with all the historical info about this nutcase and his temper and behavior towards other crew members that this ended the way it did. I have spoken with a couple of lawyers and am told his behavior did rise to a criminal level. I am not a lawyer so I don't understand how. But something about threatening a crew member in the performance of his duties? I don't want to pursue this regardless.

The company has warned all employees to not speak with me out of fear of a lawsuit. Which is ironic given the circumstances. So I am missing out on some new friends in a new city where I don't know anyone.

I really liked the company and the people I worked with. The company invested a lot in getting me on board but their HR department is utterly out to lunch. I am just at a loss as to how this ended the way it did.

I would continue to move on & close that door behind you. I can’t see much benefit of going forward with legal action.