Manager

Is yelling at your employee abusive? Is it against the law? She screamed at me once and I just turned and walked away while she was yelling. What do or can I do if she starts yelling at me again? Can I tell her calmly that what she's doing is abusive, that it's not necessary and that when she calms down I will be willing to talk to her adult to adult?

What do you guys think

Yes, yelling is abusive. No, it's not against the law UNLESS you can prove that her yelling makes the workplace unworkable. If you have a policy that specifically states abuse is not tolerated then follow the policy about reporting.

I think you walking away is exactly what you should have done. It's what I would have done and if she yells again, I think what you said in your post is exactly what you should do. "Excuse me, you are being abusive and I will not tolerate it. When you calm down we can continue this conversation." Then walk away, fill out an incident report and follow any policy you have on disruptive/abusive employees.

It's not going to be easy to do, but if it stops her yelling then it will be worth it and you'll have the respect of your fellow employees, but don't expect to be the manager's favorite after that

Thankyou much appreciated our policy says nothing about yelling. However wouldn't you think that if you were the boss and you were screaming at people that maybe you should switch your job?

Thanks for the info and input.

surely you have a Code of Conduct. I would think this behavior is implied if not stated. Contact the Risk Manager.

It is so sad how many posts we read day after day like this. That there are any let alone this many nurses out there who behave like this. When its the boss who is doing the yelling its tough and should be illegal. I had one like that take over the DON position and I gave notice the day she started! I can't tolerate that. Maybe the Board of Nursing has an idea. Good luck to you.

Thanks guys looks like I'll have to deal with her abusivness until she either quits or gets fired.