borderline mistreatment at the workplace

[phillyfolk4]

I have a question about what is I feel is borderline slander,verbal abuse
My husband works in the construction field as a foreman there have been several instances when he has been talked to inappropriately. This one instance I recall just this am when his super called him and asked him if he was going to be in work today "we assumed since he is in the roofing business and we just received 4 inches of snow that there would probably be no work today." So his boss proceeded to ream him out saying your biggest problem is you thought when do you think you can get the f*** down to 145th street. Well to me that is very unprofessional and I personally would not tollerate someone speaking to me in that tone. He has been told to get your head out of your a**. I could go on and on about the way I feel he gets mistreated. My biggest problem here is this type of treatment something that is acceptable in the state of maryland or is there a law which prevents employers to speak to there employees any way they choose. Any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated

[Pattymd]

The issue is whether such treatment is prohibited by law. And it is not, unless it is based SOLELY upon a protected characteristic, such as age, gender, national origin, race, etc.

I'm not saying this is fair or proper or acceptable treatment in the business world. I'm just saying it isn't against the law, unless it is for one of the reasons (plus a few others that don't appear to apply here) above.

As one of my respected colleagues says, it is not (inherently) illegal for an employer to be a world-class jerk.