Legal Question in Employment Law in California
I work in California and my boss is abusive. I work for a small auto transport company, and he is the owner and my manager. I have worked there for about two years now. If something is not done to his liking he screams and curses. Also, he is rude and demeaning. Is there anything that can be done?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Nothing but find a new job. There is no law against being a terrible boss. A hostile work environment must have harassment based on one of the protected categories that are also protected from discrimination in order to be illegal.
Not only are there no laws against poor management, 'unfair treatment', or rude, obnoxious or harassing behavior by management or other employees, but in general, unless an employee is civil service, in a union, or has a written employment contract, they are an 'at will' employee that can be disciplined or terminated any time for any reason, with or without �cause�, explanation or notice. That is, UNLESS the conduct is based upon discrimination, harassment or retaliation as defined as actually �illegal� under the ADA [disability], Civil Rights [age, race, sex, ethnic, religion, pregnancy, etc], FMLA [medical leave], Whistle-blower, or similar statutes. Any employee's goal should be to keep their supervisors happy and make them look good to the company, and make the company money. That�s how the company pays employee wages. If you don't, then don't be surprised to be replaced. Now if the conduct was illegal under the above definitions, feel free to contact me for the legal help you�ll need. If it isn't, you are free to seek other employment and/or quit.