Hostile work enviornment?North Carolina

[ogger]

I recently quit my job in NC. They hired a co-worker who is a self-proclaimed skin-head,KKK member, and a Neo-Nazi.
The second day of work,he shows up with a piano wire with 2 handles used for choking people. He soon took over the radio/CD player at work, allowing only his stations or cd's to be played (at full volume). I expressed my "discomfort" with this, was told to f off by him, and the supervisor, who was not present, said we'll deal with that issue at a later meeting". The supervisor said that about everything else I am about to mention...We'll cover that in the next meeting...which never came.
This guy also flings out the F word and the N word more times a day than I could count on both hands. Later, He started carring a small screwdriver in his pocket, then bragged about the icepick he was carrying not only to those 4 of us in the shop, but to the bosses in the front office. The front offices' attitude seemed to be, " Oh, he's such a handfull, isn't he?" ,chuckling about it. A couple times, as he was leaving work, he would spin his tires, showering my car with gravel, laughing like a demon. Do I have a case for receiving unemployment benefits here? Sure would appreciate any info, Thanks

[cbg]

That is a question only an adjudicator from your state can decide. But frankly, I would tend to doubt it. It is next to impossible to get unemployment if you quit unless you are being subjected to ILLEGAL behavior. While your co-worker was one of the more obnoxious ones I've heard of, nothing in his behavior, from your description, crossed that line. It is not illegal to be a bigot, to use vulgar or racist language (in the context you describe) or to spin his tires and laugh.

A state adjudicator with access to all the detail may see it differently, but I wouldn't be counting on receiving it if I were you.

[ogger]

Even with the concealed weapons? Thanks for your reply.

[cbg]

In my opinion, unless he threatened you with them, it's still very, very doubtful.

[ogger]

Rats, OK, thanks for your time.

[cbg]

Don't forget, this is only my opinion based on what very few facts I have. My opinion is not binding on the state. File and see what happens. The worst that can happen is that you're turned down. There's no penalty for applying when you're not eligible.

[accidental actor]

I have recently found out that not only does my employer have several obvious cameras to watch us with, but there is at least one hidden one. It is entirely possible that there are many hidden cameras throughout the building. This is a firm headquartered in Florida, but where I work is in North Carolina. Is this a violation in either or both states?

[cbg]

If they are video only, no. If there is audio involved, maybe.

[accidental actor]

I have no idea if there is audio also, can I report this to the authorities and let hem find out? If so, who do I report this to?

[cbg]

I've had a chance to check taping laws. I can't find anything making audio tapes illegal in NC, and FL law does not apply to you.

So no, I don't think you should report it to anyone; I think you should mind your own business, if you don't mind my saying so.

[accidental actor]

I'm a little confused over the "mind your own business" line. Is it not my business that I may be watched in my private office? I have a door to close for privacy, but if they are watching me on a hidden camera, what good is having the door? Is it not my business that maybe I'm being watched while I relieve myself in the men's room? My question is, what if they are spying on employees while they are doing something that is normally considered a private activity in civilized society? Is there anyone I can contact to report POSSIBLE violations of basic privacy rights? Do they not have to inform employees of any hidden cameras?

[cbg]

No, as far as I can determine in NC they do not need to notify you.

What EVIDENCE do you have that any laws are being broken?

When you complain to the authorities, and they investigate, and discover that the employer is in complete compliance with all laws, what do you think is going to happen to you and your employment?

I say again, unless you have valid evidence that laws are being broken, you should stay out of it.

Has it occurred to you to simply ASK your employer about it?

[mlane58]

what if they are spying on employees while they are doing something that is normally considered a private activity in civilized society?

You don't have privacy rights in the workplace except in the company's restroom.

Is there anyone I can contact to report POSSIBLE violations of basic privacy rights?

No, because again you don't have privacy rights in the workplace.

Do they not have to inform employees of any hidden cameras?

No, thats why they are hidden.

Darn cbg, you posted seconds before, guess I'm a little slow this morning

[accidental actor]

In other words it's perfectly legal for an employer in NC to have hidden cameras in restrooms.

[Pattymd]

No, that's not what anyone said; how did you get that? About the ONLY place you have an expectation of privacy in employment IS in the restroom. Accordingly, video cameras in the restrooms WOULD be a violation of privacy issue. Anywhere else at the workplace, you have virtually, none.

[cbg]

But, as has been pointed out before, there is no reason to believe that there are hidden cameras in the restroom.