Legal Question in Employment Law in Pennsylvania

Threats at the workplace.

A wife of a patient at our hospital has been a very big management problem. She is now making direct personal threats to the staff (and their family members) who are caring for her husband. What can we do to protect ourselves? Can a restraining order or a permanent injunction be served to her? Although our institution is supportive to the staff, how much abuse do we need to accept and how far can she go?


Asked on 2/08/01, 6:15 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Marc Pachtman Pachtman Law Offices

Re: Threats at the workplace.

In the type of environment that you describe it would be difficult for anyone to treat her husband medical condition and may be disturbing to other patients.

The question is how to handle this problem without escalating the hostilities.

If there is a union I'd recommend that you sit down with the union rep and have them intervene. If there is no union I would first speak to all workers who have come into contact with this woman and document on paper everything that has occured including dates, times, and witnesses. I would have everyone sign the documentation and select on person to approach management about the problem.

At that point it will be up to the management of the hospital to take the appropriate action.

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Answered on 3/21/01, 11:13 am


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