Petty Tyrant

by Evil HR Lady on November 23, 2010

So, I’ve written about workplace bullies before. (My HR Department Bullies Employees, Workplace Bullies, and Bully Boss.) But, nothing, and I mean nothing compares to this This American Life episode: Petty Tyrant.

Here’s their description:

In Schenectady, NY, a school maintenance man named Steve Raucci works his way up the ranks for 30 years, until finally he’s in charge of the maintenance department. That’s when he starts messing with his employees. Teasing them at meetings. Punishing them with crummy work assignments. Or worse things, like secretly slashing their tires in the middle of the night.

The whole thing is worth listening too. And for those of us who are in the business of helping businesses with their people problem, it’s a special warning that we should maybe, just maybe, listen to employees that complain about a bully boss.

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

jenmaree November 24, 2010 at 5:10 pm

I heard this on NPR and was astonished and disgusted by this man. So glad he got his!

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Judith November 28, 2010 at 3:18 pm

How about this one? Two employees in Texas were awarded $250,000 in damages after a supervisor continually yelled at them, put his head down and "charged at them like a bull," and made an employee wear a sign that said "I quit."

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Dominique December 9, 2010 at 5:21 am

This just disgusts me! Who gives him the right? He should be fired right away. I hope someone got him on film slashing their tires, or belittling them.

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