A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:My husband told me this morning he is not looking forward to work at all.He said that his boss has started acting strangely over the past few weeks making all sorts of weird and excessive demands on him and the rest of the employees he works with. He said to me he would like to leave but can't as his contract's been re-signed for another 4 years, as has all employees. However, that was back in October 2008. He said his old boss was fine, it was just when his new boss came in from January 2009 onwards, things became stressful for him, although the stress levels were manageable. He said he noticed major differences between his new boss and the old one who'd left.He said to me there's no higher-ups to complain to, no boss's boss, as the boss there runs the whole company.I asked him what the boss did, and he said the boss asked everyone to buy him coffee percolators and for someone to play "La Bamba" on a CD, which they did, and my husband did as well (the coffee percolators), but my husband said it felt weird, considering the boss doesn't like coffee. He then told me that the week after that the boss expected everyone to bring some porn into watch - but him and the team said "No, that's not work, we're not paid to do THAT!!" and the boss ranted at them, but paid them anyway.Then, the week after that, the boss apologised for the last 2 weeks, and demanded that everyone wear a skirt for his amusement. Only one person did - and that was a Scottish employee who said to him "It's a kilt, mate, NOT a skirt!" and then said to me when the boss had gone "The boss is weird!"My husband then said that the boss asked all the employees (male only) to come into his office and see him about something important. He then told me how the boss asked them to strip to their underwear, which they did, but with much complaint (my husband included), and the boss was apparently filming it and taking photos. Everyone got up after 20 minutes, got dressed and left. The boss said "I'll see you all in here next week!"He then spoke to a good friend of his and said "Now that's not on. He's not being a good boss".My husband said just talking about it gave him stress - what can he do?I feel upset and worried about my husband - he feels frightened to go into work but knows he has to so we can have money to live, he's worried about the boss so what can he do?
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male
reader, ArmyMedic  +, writes (1 March 2009):
 Your husband actually went through with his demands? I'm a sergeant in the Army and if I ever did anything like that I would loose my job, and the Army doesn't have the best HR reputations.
I would tell your hubbie to seek legal aid, as his boss is either power crazy or having a nervous break down. No body should abuse their power like that.
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (1 March 2009): I'd suggest that your husband and maybe one or two (keep the numbre small) get this situation documented on video and audio tape. I'd suggest getting a few "Nanny cams" which could be installed in the office as well as keeping a digital pocket recorder ready to capture the antics of this guy.
You didn't mention where you are living... that might be of help. Keep this in mind, if this guy is acting this way, is he running the company propoerly, and will it be around for all these people to rely on?
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A
female
reader, wonderingcat +, writes (1 March 2009):
 What type of company is this? Companies get restructured, and a "flat managment" structure with only two tiers: major boss, manager/supervisor - and the underlings. So, there may have been more managers now than before, and all report directly to the major boss. This is not uncommon, to cut bureaucracy and to make sure the boss is more familiar with the work in the office. Change often occurs when a new management comes in. And change is never easy to be accepted.
BUT, he does sound weird. However, that is beside the point. Read the fine print of the employee's (all of them) contracts. Look at the clauses closely. Talk to a local union/legal aid people in your area. Boss asking for gratituties from his employees, that sounds like a disguised extortion (or "protection money"). If he wanted staff to bring in porn to watch, that can be construed as sexual harrassment. If he took pictures of his male staff in their undies, it could also be easily categorized as sexual harrassment. Could they have refused? Only if they are confident enough they would not get fired! He has abused his power.
Sexual harrassment is a serious issue. It is a human rights issue, and he may have violated against it. Look for organizations (e.g. Human Rights, advocacy, trade unions) that you can consult with, and ask their suggestions. The legal and public procedures may be different from country to country, or from State to State in the US.
Good luck!
Cat
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (1 March 2009): go to HR... thats wrong really wrong... if everyone is the same its easy.
Star.
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