Potential Threat at Work

[Mainah]

A guy applied for a job where I work. He's under qualified and not getting the job. He has sent a series of bizarre emails to all of us on the search committee that include angry questions about the status of his application, and hearty endorsements of a presidential candidate (this has no connection to the job). At one point he was sending us all 6-8 of these per day. Some included pointed questions about his application status, some were simply links to his political stories and videos.

I forwarded one way high up the internal chain of command and expressed my concerns. The guy hasn't made any threats, and my bosses are hoping he just goes away. But I have a bad feeling about him. Any thoughts or advice?

[72-cj5]

Can you carry at work? If not I'd be very careful and carry anyways I'd rather break rules and live then take a chance if getting into a situation you'd need a gun and not have one just cause of stupid company policy. I work construction and had to work in a bad part of Tacoma and so I carried every day there and it may be against the rules but I felt safe at least

[Mainah]

Before all this my employer sent a company wide email stating that no one can carry at work. Not an option. Been there for 15 years, love the place and my co-workers. I guess what I'm asking is if this guy's behavior is justifies going over three bosses heads and insisting for more action.

[2damnold4this]

How about calling the local police and telling them of your concerns?

[Snyper]

Send them copies of the E Mails and have them get a restraining order if needed. If they don't allow weapons I don't foresee any change in that policy

[Mainah]

Again, no threats in any of the emails. Just varied stuff that included politics. But none of it was a rational response to a job application. The consensus so far is that this is a legit threat. Any other thoughts?

[Frank Ettin]

Some questions:

1. How large a company do you work for?
   
   
2. Is access to the premises controlled? With badges/key cards? Security guards? Are visitors logged in?
   
   
3. Does the company have an in-house legal department?
   
   
4. Is there a department responsible for risk management? Premises management? Company security? Loss control? Internal audit?
   
   
5. Does the company have any relationship with local law enforcement?

I've seen this sort of thing come up. Some things that have been done --

1. All contacts with the applicant should be documented, with complete records maintained.
   
   
2. The local police should be notified and a complete report, including copies of all emails, should be provided to them.
   
   
3. Existing security should be alerted to the possible threat. If there's a photo of the applicant, copies should be circulated. In the absence of a photo, a thorough description could help.
   
   
4. A plan should be put in place for contacting keep decision makers and the police if the applicant is seen on the search premises or approaching anyone on the hiring committee.
   
   
5. A restraining order is a good idea.

Those are all things I've seen done at large, well organized, security conscious companies when this sort of thing has come up. Most of the time nothing happens, and that's the desired result. Probably the most important things are (1) make a comprehensive police report to start a paper trail; (2) control access to the premises; and (3) have a plan if something happens.

[dakota.potts]

If you're not allowed to carry a firearm at work, can you at least carry pepper spray?

[FITASC]

Has he actually MADE any threats or is he just really anxious to get this job and overly proud of his political stance?
You say "potential threat" - in what way? Is he going to blow up the place or kill someone if he doesn't get the job? Or are you possibly over reacting to a guy who is just a little weird?

[2ndsojourn]

Other than, and in addition to what you've already done, I'd send him an email stating that someone else has been selected for the position and thank him for his time. (Maybe sign it with a fictitious name in case he comes looking for someone, since your spidey sense is tingling.) Then there's no reason for him to contact you any further, and if he does, then it's time to sound the alarm.

[Mainah]

Or are you possibly over reacting to a guy who is just a little weird?

Absolutely. He has not made any form of threat. There is a perceived menace in his communication because it is so strange, and completely unrelated to the job that he applied for.

Other than, and in addition to what you've already done, I'd send him an email stating that someone else has been selected for the position and thank him for his time.

I volunteered to be his point of contact after a co-worker who was serving in that role expressed her concerns about his behavior. After trying to engage in a professional email exchange with the guy I informed my bosses that I was cutting off communication.

I was advised to block his emails, but I'm not crazy about that idea because I'd like to know if they move from strange to threats.

[Double Naught Spy]

From the description, I do not see this guy as a potential threat so much as just a wacko. There are some very weird people in the world who are perfectly harmless (as people go). Just because a person isn't normal doesn't make them dangerous, although that isn't an uncommon assumption that they are, which it sounds like is what has happened from the "consensus" mentioned.

Some people are just full of self importance or want of self importance and a need to express that.

Maybe it would just help that you stop stringing him along and tell him outright that he didn't get the job. From the sounds of it, you have been slow to inform him that this is the case. He has applied for the job and expects a response.

[kilimanjaro]

First thing you need to do is :

Set up a phone conference between you (since you volunteered), your HR boss, and this individual. The company already didn't hire him, but a visible effort needs made to give him some finality. Give an interview and the next day HR follows up with a decline to hire for reason of experience or a better candidate, something reasonable. You need to get out of the email business and let the bosses handle it.

Restraining orders and police can come later, it's not called for, yet. Proactive schmoozing to instill the idea it's over in a friendly way is called for.

[thallub]

Has the guy been informed that he did not get the job? If not someone needs to tell him: Then most likely he will just go away.

[Pahoo]

Before all this my employer sent a company wide email stating that no one can carry at work.

I would suggest that you exhaust every effort, to comply with your company's edicts. Might look deeper into this to determine that it is actually a company's procedure and in writing. After that exercise, you may have some hard choices to make. God has given you this life and you have the natural God given right of self protection. ......

Example;
The last company I worked for. had such a "written policy. No firearms of any kind,, on company property. We had a skeet and trap range on company property and we use to keep our shotguns locked in our trunks; "No questions asked". One day, a Supervisor and department manager reprimanded one employee. That employee reacted in a threatening manner and sent out numerous E-Mails. After review and consultations, he was terminated. More threats followed and directed at the department manager. The manager in turn, started carrying, on company's property. At the end of a staff meeting, the department manager was putting on his coat and out fell his "little Friend". The other staff saw it as well as the company's CEO. A meeting soon followed and the CEO asked, "Now then, you forgot to leave your gun at home and it was just an honest mistake; Right??? !!!"
No sir, I purposely brought it and carry it for protection from the threats I've been getting. The manager was terminated on the spot and escorted off the property by security. ......

So it goes and;
Be Safe !!!

[smee78]

I would carry quietly, it better to carry a mouse gun then no gun at all. I would rather find another job if for some reason I was found out. I would not tell anyone I was carrying and that would be that, I love my family to much to take a chance on that strange guy that was so quiet and never bothered anyone before.

[357 Python]

This guy sounds like he may be a few fries short of a happy meal. If you have a friend who happens to be a Psychologist or Psychiatrist show him/her some of the E-mails and get their take on him. It sounds like this character is in need of some sort of treatment before anything bad does happen. Since a firearm is not an option at work what is the possibility of carrying a tactical folding knife or some other defensive weapon? A Cold Steel City Stick might look classy but can be used very effectively if the need arises.

[Art Eatman]

"I play softball after work, which is why I have the bat, glove and ball in my office."

[T. O'Heir]

If the guy has not made any threats, he has really done nothing other than be a nuisance. You have no option other than just telling the guy he didn't get hired. That's something most companies do not do any more. Even out of courtesy.
How'd the guy get the search committee's individual e-mail addresses? Just curious.
"...Any thoughts or advice?..." Never volunteer for anything. You not do time in a military? snicker.

[manta49]

What you are describing would not bother me, if he made actual threats i would report it to the police.

Can you carry at work? If not I'd be very careful and carry anyways

I would not advice anyone to brake the law or their companies policies regarding firearms. There is a big leap from some dodgy emails and needing a firearm.

[The Big D]

I think this is a perfect example of Cooper's "condition orange". The trigger for this is less than most people think - that little nag that says - "Something is not quite right here - that person seems dangerous." You most definitely have crossed that line.

Workplaces that don't allow carry are a serious problem. I guess it's a personal moral question of how obligated you feel to follow rules, but the best job I've ever had wasn't vaguely worth dying for. If you're legally allowed to carry any the only thing you'd be violating is company policy, you might consider a small gun in some form of deep concealment carry where your gun can't plausibly fall out or be left behind - thunderwear, armpit band holster, etc - until the threat has passed.

[manta49]

I've ever had wasn't vaguely worth dying for. If you're legally allowed to carry any the only thing you'd be violating is company policy, you might consider a small gun in some form of deep concealment carry where your gun can't plausibly fall out or be left behind - thunderwear, armpit band holster, etc - until the threat has passed.

No threat has being made, so its a big leap from some dodgy emails to breaking company policy because you are scared of a threat that has not being made. What is it about some in America that they can't seem to get on with it without seeing a threat in everything and carrying a firearm. A few emails like that would not cause me a second thought, i certainly not risk losing my job and reaching for a firearm. Some people do carry firearm here but that's because they are under real threat.

[stagpanther]

The guy was not hired, right? Many companies these days simply don't communicate with applicants--gone are the days of thank you notes as a courtesy to those not hired.

The way I see it--this could very easily backfire and threaten YOUR job if you push it enough and the HR folks feel it may be you sending out the warnings. BUT--if you have concerns for your's and others safety you have a right to express them to management--and you have the right to have them seriously considered. The company must provide what is reasonably considered a safe workplace and once notified of a potential threat could be potentially liable if something does happen and they totally ignored you. Negligent liability cannot be waivered away.

I'm no expert--but I would guess that by notifying management they are on the hook for being aware of your concerns--and from what I read background credit and legal record checks are now routine for new hires. If the company tries to ignore the issues to avoid implied liability--and you feel they are bad enough--you can find this information out for yourself and then notify the management. Once they are made aware--they are back on the liability hook again.

Most companies have their own "political hierarchy" so I would be careful in how you push this to the "command level." Finding a "sympathetic white knight" at upper management might be a good idea rather than being the isolated complainer who could be perceived as "lone whack job."

[Nathan]

Your best bet is to clearly discuss your plan with your supervisor and the highest level manager you are comfortable speaking with......at the same time. Explain what you are going to do and how you are going to handle this. Take there input and get it done.

He is nuts, but as has been said, a firm clear no thank you, usually works.


Document every related interaction. You need to know direction given to you, by whom, what you did and said, and finally what that guy did and said.

You know the risks of arming up....balance your risk vs benefit. 'Nuff said. We can't tell you when violating company policy or state law is the right risk vs reward balance.

This is a gun forum.....

Example;
The last company I worked for. had such a "written policy. No firearms of any kind,, on company property. We had a skeet and trap range on company property and we use to keep our shotguns locked in our trunks; "No questions asked". One day, a Supervisor and department manager reprimanded one employee. That employee reacted in a threatening manner and sent out numerous E-Mails. After review and consultations, he was terminated. More threats followed and directed at the department manager. The manager in turn, started carrying, on company's property. At the end of a staff meeting, the department manager was putting on his coat and out fell his "little Friend". The other staff saw it as well as the company's CEO. A meeting soon followed and the CEO asked, "Now then, you forgot to leave your gun at home and it was just an honest mistake; Right??? !!!"
No sir, I purposely brought it and carry it for protection from the threats I've been getting. The manager was terminated on the spot and escorted off the property by security. ......

Can we learn from this: DON'T DROP YOUR CCW.....EVER!

[manta49]

Can we learn from this: DON'T DROP YOUR CCW.....EVER!

I disagree , what you should learn is don't bring a firearm into work if they are not allowed. At best you will lose your job, and depending where you work it could be illegal, imagine what would happen if you had a N/D injuring or killing a work colleague. I am surprised this type of advice ( advising someone to do something that could be illegal ) is not being challenged by staff.