This content was originally published in January 2000. For the latest in HR management, visit our archives or try our online compliance portal, HR.BLR.com.
Supervisor Erin Slade felt she had no choice but to fire Bruce Makin after he threatened a co-worker with a gun in the employee break room of Main Property Insurance Company. The exit interview was far from amicable and shortly thereafter, Slade began receiving harassing telephone calls and unsolicited mail and merchandise at her home.
Knowing of Bruce Makin’s violent propensities, Slade was understandably frightened and reported her concerns to the company human resources department.
"Has he made any threats against you?" asked a human resources manager. Slade shook her head. "Then don’t worry about it. He’ll get tired of doing it," she assured Slade.
Over the next couple of months, however, the phone calls escalated, and Slade eventually did receive a death threat. Now she was scared for her life and asked to meet with the vice president of human resources and the company legal department.
At the meeting, the in-house counsel looked doubtful. "How do we even know it is Bruce Makin?" he asked. No one present took her fears seriously. Someone halfheartedly suggested that she stay away from windows.