How do you handle leadership that are saying things about you that’s not professional (Basically being bullies)?

2019-03-29T14:55:20-04:00

Working with mature adults with high school antics. Just want to know how everyone else deals with it

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 29 at 2019 3:23 PM

2019-03-29T15:23:39-04:00

1. Did advise them of the surgery? 2. If given bed rest/quarters/etc. did you drop it off at the unit before heading home? 3. If you didn't do these things then you were unprofessional. If you are not present then they are not BULLYING you- look the definition up. If your ducks are in a row, then talk to the NCO and his boss about it.

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 29 at 2019 5:21 PM

2019-03-29T17:21:59-04:00

It is ALWAYS difficult to give meaningful advice with very little detail. I completely understand that in this case you probably don't want to give detail, since you are entitled to medical privacy. On barracks duty, the Barracks XO, a Major was a "hard ass" with a tough guy, bully persona. He had a reputation for publicly laying hands and shaming company grade officers when he didn't like what he heard.

In once case I refused an order it worked out for me. In the other, I went over the top in violating the medical restrictions, because I was pissed. It worked out even better, I shamed the XO in a way he could do noting about, and I was known as "Captain Blood and Nuts" (a cool nickname, I think) for the remainder of the tour.

If you can reasonably come into work, and with some minor accommodation make it work, I say do it. You cannot underestimate the credibility you'll get. If you have a substantial and real concern stay at home and ignore the bully comments. If you have a good reputation it will shield you through the BS.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2019 8:55 PM

2019-03-29T20:55:28-04:00

Respectfully, there are too few details to give meaningful advice.
What type of bullying is occurring?

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Mar 30 at 2019 3:00 PM

2019-03-30T15:00:31-04:00

Your surgeon, even if it was a civilian should have given you a chit saying how long you would need to be excused from types of duties, i.e. sedentary, no pt, limited lifting etc, and you can throw that in there face or advise them that your surgeon is the one who will decide when you can resume your duties. At the same time, if you are on no duty or limited duty, don't be seen out playing tennis while others in your unit are working extra time to compensate for your absence.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Mar 31 at 2019 11:43 AM

2019-03-31T11:43:30-04:00

I had a difficult time defining the Army's definition of "Professionalism." Do THEY even know? Are THEY setting the example of a professional soldier? What would THEY have done in the same situation?...get away with murder? (Rhetorical questions) Bullies bully others because they want to make themselves feel better. Bullies don't CHANGE, they just get older!

https://www.army.mil/article/145828/army_defines_identity_of_professionalism

Army defines identity of professionalism

FORT SILL, Okla. -- The Army has been preaching professionalism for years now, but like any other word in the English language, it is meaningless unless the definition is understood.

Response by SGT Robert Wager made Apr 1 at 2019 4:48 PM

2019-04-01T16:48:16-04:00

If you are on quarters after having surgery then you cannot be forced to come to work unless the company commander wants to answer some hard questions from your treating physician. You may be required to report to your supervisor or commander to give them the quarters paperwork even if they knew you were having surgery. They have to have the paperwork to back up you being absent from duty.
Saying your leadership team are being bullies means nothing without examples of how they are being bullies. If you simply have your feelings hurt because you are being told to something you don't want to do doesn't make them bullies it makes them leaders for holding you accountable. Without further information, I am going to take a guess that this is simply someone who didn't get exactly what they wanted and now are crying about it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2019 4:51 PM

2019-04-01T16:51:29-04:00

Please expand and provide context.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2019 5:08 PM

2019-04-01T17:08:14-04:00

If you can’t handle an NCO verbally getting on your ass, how you gonna handle being shot at? Bunch of snowflakes! Being in the military is not a right! It’s a business that requires thick skinned individuals that need to be ready to endure the worst of the worst at moments notice. It’s not for everyone. If you can’t handle a little fire get off the burner.

Your drill sergeants hands were tied when they trained you or else you would not be having this issue.

If you have a profile, present it. If your profile is expired go back to the doctor, if he says your good but your small heart doesn’t think so, well suck it up or tell them you have small heart syndrome and need a medical discharge.

There is no way that anyone can make you go against what your profile says unless it’s expired, in that case two things, you were too busy playing COD to go back to follow up with your provider, or you provider says your good to go but you don’t want to go back to pushing papers and buttons anymore. There is a big difference in bullying and chewing your ass for not wanting to work.

Last thing, you only gave us a short story what what’s going on, not a lot of information to work with enable to steer you in the right direction. If you really believe this is a serious issue, you need to learn a very import 3 words. CHAIN OF COMMAND. You keep going up until you get the help you feel you need. For being a SPC you should already know this stuff.

hope you have a better day.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2019 5:57 PM

2019-04-01T17:57:47-04:00

Let me rephrase. Best advice for working with grown people that are doing high school antics. Just daily picking.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Apr 1 at 2019 7:34 PM

2019-04-01T19:34:26-04:00

If you had surgery you need to be cleared by medical before returning to duty, so you should be on a med profile. So an NCO is trying to make you return to work? If your on profile everyone in your immediate chain would know that, especially so there was surgery involved. Doesn’t sound right, I’m ex Marine, so I go right to my company Gunny, or his equivalent to you.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2019 8:04 PM

2019-04-01T20:04:24-04:00

When anyone is critical of your level of professionalism I prefer it be in writing reflecting how I failed to meet expectations of the mission or task role. Then I ask aloud and to myself what can I do to dispel or mitigate their opinion?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2019 8:45 PM

2019-04-01T20:45:46-04:00

I think we are missing a simple fix, after a surgery why did none of her COC/NCOSC not visit her? If she had any paperwork it could have been rectified at that time. If no paperwork was present the commander/1SG could have made a decision on how to evaluate a good day to return back to work. I.E. the following day. Even a procedure as simple as a vasectomy or tooth removal gives at least one day off.