What can a senior officer do if they are being harassed by a civilian government employee?

2023-11-07T20:19:00-05:00

What can a senior officer do if being harassed and witch-hunt by a civilian employee whom trying to pursue something that was rectified by his command

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2023 8:25 PM

2023-11-07T20:25:06-05:00

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member Document all interactions. Build a case for toxic work environment. Escalate through organization chain of command, and document, document, document. Good luck.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2023 9:09 PM

2023-11-07T21:09:58-05:00

Office of the EEO

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Nov 8 at 2023 9:29 AM

2023-11-08T09:29:27-05:00

Treat it similar as you would anyone else in the Command. Civilian Gov Employees are expected to act just as civil and responsible as anyone else. They also have a rank and are expected to act accordingly. I started out as a GS in a Military Command and there are more similarities than differences. Report it up the chain to your leadership and you should also have an EO or HR office you can utilize. If this is a personal beef I would go that route. If it is more an issue with customer service from this individual or their shop/division/section you could also use a customer service/QA or employee advocacy office if you have one. If the Command or leadership already completed action on it there should be quick action to resolve and mediate.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Nov 8 at 2023 9:32 AM

2023-11-08T09:32:34-05:00

If not in your chain of command, tell him to buzz off. In chain of command, report him to the next higher person.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Nov 15 at 2023 6:07 PM

2023-11-15T18:07:38-05:00

The beauty of civilians working with the military is the ICE system which allows you to comment and name drop where it goes directly to their supervisor or the garrison command.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Nov 15 at 2023 7:28 PM

2023-11-15T19:28:57-05:00

Your question is a little confusing about whether it was the Senior Officers Chain or the ACP’s chain. Since you use the term witch hunt it sounds like the ACP has lodged a complaint. If so, your Chain can investigate the complaint but it is likely the cannot completely rectify the situation. For example if the Civilian has lodged an EEO complaint, they may be entitled to EEOC redress or possibly the right to sue in Federal court. Both of those are outside of the normal military channels and referring to those proceedings as a witch hunt could further their case. If is the Employees chain that resolved the issue then they should have worked with the management employee relations office in the CPAC which would have assisted them in the proper corrective action to include not harassing you.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2023 9:31 PM

2023-11-15T21:31:08-05:00

Get ahead of it and build a paper trail.

Do not engage the employee alone. Always have a witness.

Address the matter with leadership and have a sit down with them, to include the civilian employee's leadership.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 16 at 2023 6:36 AM

2023-11-16T06:36:08-05:00

If the command reviewed an issue and made a determination taking whatever action and the civilian employee was involved they should have been briefed, not on the action taken, just that the situation was resolved. Follow the other advice given as this can become a pain. Civilian employees have very similar regulations and rules under which they operate. They have all of the same chains associated with personal manning, including punishment. If they are at a management level it is even more stringent.

Lastly, not sure what you mean by senior officer, no officer should tolerate negative action from anyone.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Jan 15 at 2024 4:42 PM

2024-01-15T16:42:27-05:00

That actually happens with senior officers? I see it happen with junior officers and enlisted soldiers, but I don't remember ever seeing that happen with senior officers.

Response by Sgt Michael Caliendo made Jan 23 at 2024 2:32 PM

2024-01-23T14:32:18-05:00

Major, it depends on the scenario. Are you white? Or are you a minority or woman? If you are a minority or woman, the go to your EEO Office. You can also file a complaint with HR, HR is always a good way to go. Also, inform your immediate supervisor you are being harassed. Your Supervisor MUST report harassment, and bullying. You can also go to your employe assistance Program (EAP) and ask for mediation.

Response by Sgt Michael Caliendo made Jan 23 at 2024 3:48 PM

2024-01-23T15:48:51-05:00

Title 29: Labor
PART 1614—FEDERAL SECTOR EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Subpart A—Agency Program To Promote Equal Employment Opportunity
________________________________________
§1614.105 Pre-complaint processing.

There is also some good lawyers in DC to give a shout to such as https://www.eisenberg-lawoffice.com/

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Response by SGT Robert Urbaniak made Feb 13 at 2024 10:29 AM

2024-02-13T10:29:26-05:00

I would think legal services would be your best option.

Response by AB Roger Zauner made Mar 6 at 2024 4:56 PM

2024-03-06T16:56:37-05:00

Wait for martial law to be declared.

Response by SPC Matt Ovaska made Mar 18 at 2024 9:10 AM

2024-03-18T09:10:54-04:00

Those pesky civilians don't know how to behave. They need a drill sgt to take them behind the barracks and teach them a lesson. I think senior officers have to much time on their hands. At least they did when I was in. Back then NCO's ran the Army, not Officers. Actually, I'm not sure what they did. Sign paperwork and look important. Go to the Officers Club?