Fighting in the Workplace
With or without a written policy, fighting in the workplace is taboo. Many employers do have written policies about fighting. Some policies call for the automatic termination of anyone engaged in a fight. In other words, there’s zero tolerance for fighting.
A fight recently broke out at the Washington Post between a reporter and an editor. The editor was berating the story of the reporter’s colleague. The reporter, in defense of his friend, called the editor an expletive. The editor threw a punch. Others in the newsroom rushed to break up the altercation.
The editor, a Pulitzer Prize winner, had already taken his employer’s buyout proposal and had only three weeks left at the paper. Apparently, there was more to the fight than just one incident. Some scoffed that a fight in a newsroom would make news, given the history of fights in the newspaper business.
It’s unclear whether the Post has a policy on fighting or whether it will take any action against the editor or reporter. Since the editor is on the way out the door after many years of service and since tempers are probably flaring more than ever in most newsrooms these days, it’s unlikely that the Post will enforce much, if any, discipline.
This is a good example of why zero tolerance policies aren’t good for the workplace, as noted in a post I did a few days ago. I’m not saying that fighting at work shouldn’t be taken seriously. I am saying that each incident can’t be handled the same way.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- Twitter Trackbacks for Fighting in the Workplace | The Word on Employment Law [employmentlawpost.com] on Topsy.com - [...] Fighting in the Workplace | The Word on Employment Law employmentlawpost.com/theword/2009/11/06/fighting-in-the-workplace – view page – cached With ...
- uberVU - social comments - Social comments and analytics for this post... This post was mentioned on Twitter by JohnPhillipsJr: What should an employer (like Washington ...
- Fighting in the Workplace | The Word on Employment Law — Tip to Make money - [...] Read more from the original source: Fighting in the Workplace | The Word on Employment Law [...]
Leave a Reply
About Chris Parker
Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
Read more about Chris Parker
About Jimmy Daniel
Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Read more about Jimmy Daniel
About Larry Bridgesmith
While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
Read more about Larry Bridgesmith
On the other hand, this would probably be a great way for the Post to eliminate a buyout payment. I would think the buyout offer had some sort of clause requiring a certain level of performance through the remainder of employment.
ACU Frank,
Thanks for comment and good point. The clause you’re referring to usually doesn’t address fighting but probably contains a general catchall provision that could very well cover fighting. This incident has also provoked some unwanted publicity for the Post. That said and bearing in mind that I don’t have all the facts, I think I’d rather have the editor’s side of this than the Post’s, although it’s the side of the employer I’m usually on.
John