Has your supervisor got any right to shout at you in the UK?

I work as a security officer in a shopping centre in the UK and, one day there was a fire alarm activation which resulted in full evacuation. My supervisor did not just speak to me about it but she shouted at me in such a way I felt like a 5 year old kid who has done something really silly in front of my other colleagues.

Her eyes became tearful out of sheer stress and shouted at me with a such a loud voice that nearly deafened me.

At the time of incident I was patroling the mall, but she said I am holding you entirely responsible as the person who was manning the fire pannel (my other colleague) was not clever enough and I could have prevented it.

It has nearly been 2 years but every time I think about it, I still get flash backs from my ordeal, but I've kept quiet until now!

I've told the manager then but nothing was done about her attitude other than just having a word with her!

If she was going thru personal problems, Y is she bringing them to work?

I realize that this was a very traumatic experience for you. And NO WHERE has anyone the right to scream at you in a disrespectful way. People, bosses included, will treat you the way you LET them.

That said, this was two years ago. According to what you've said, it appears she hasn't done this again. You even recognize that she was under stress at that moment. At this point, the problem isn't hers, it's yours.

You are having post-traumatic stress over what is essentially a minor incident. There have got to be reasons that is happening to you, especially even after all this time.

You have two choices on how to handle this.

Maybe what you need is to sit down and talk to this person. Or do you think you could write a clear, non-whining, reasonable letter explaining how this still bothers you until this day? Explain that what you want is a good working relationship with this person. Forget about who blamed whom at that time. Ask for an apology (ask, not demand) about the screaming. Let her know that you want to clear the air and put it behind you once and for all.

Be aware that this approach will probably get you branded as an overly sensitive weirdo (sorry, but there it is) who will probably "go postal" one day and should be gotten rid if immediately. Hmm, not sounding so good any more, is it?

Your second choice is to get some counseling. Maybe get something to read at home about anxiety and stress; try the library. (A GREAT resource is linked below. That program helped me a lot). Or go find a psychologist who deals with behavior modification. What you want is to change how you deal with things LIKE this, and WITH THIS in particular. You do NOT want to lie on a couch for the next seven years being told it's all your father's/mother's fault, yet you still FEEL THE SAME.

Frankly, I think one thing that could help is to tap into your obvious empathy for the woman. Remind yourself that she is human, just like you and everyone else. To be reminded of the incident may put her (just like most people) on the defensive. Be the bigger person and FORGIVE her for being as flawed as you are :) and then tell yourself that if there is EVER a next time, you will not only "mention" it, but ask respectfully for an apology. Knowing that you will handle things differently FROM NOW ON, could help put your mind at ease.

And then STOP brooding and harboring resentment about it. Because that's what you're doing. If you will be determined that when it comes to mind, you will think of something else, I guarantee that you will be a happier person in the future about this incident.

P.S. And aren't you bringing your "personal problems" to work now? We can't leave our problems at home entirely because we are each only one person, not two. Her just as much as you.

The thing with a lot of supervisors is that they are little hitlers, you maybe should have had a word with her yourself, put your point across!!! I had one a few years ago who used to get about 3 inches away from your face and scream at you, but she only did it to men??? as soon as you "gave her it back" she would back off!!! These days it is classed as workplace bullying!!!

If your supervisor wants to lose her job for workplace bullying, then she can shout her fat head off all she likes. If I was in your position, the grievance procedure and workplace bullying procedure will soon get a good dusting down.

Most employers run employee support services, as well as unions.

I think you should forget about it,if anthing similar happens again be strong confront them and tell them not to be so arrogant.tell them your point of view.If they cant handle it probably means they should not be in their position in the first place.take them on ,win,then rule the world with you new found confidence.

Umm...I think there are those with stories 100 times worse. I think it's time to move on. Everyone gets yelled at by their boss.

She only yelled at you...not really that big a deal to be honest. People go through much worse torment by their boss. It was two years ago! just forget about it, move on..

Yeah, he can shout at you in the middle of Red Sea if he wants.

Yes. Get over it sunshine. In Iran they would havw had you whipped.

What this supervisor did was unacceptable and everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity whilst at work.
She shouted at you and humiliated you in front of your colleagues and this is classed as workplace bullying.
I can't understand how you have allowed this to affect you for two years without saying something but it needs to be sorted out now before it affects your future.
What is your relationship with her now ? can you not tell her how that one incident has made you feel? she probably has forgotton all about it.
Go to HR and ask to speak to someone in confidence and tell them exactly how her behaviour has made you feel it doesn't matter that it has been two years in your job you need to have the support of all your work colleagues. I would also go and speak with my doctor and record on your file that you are still suffering from a bullying incident this will assist you if it happens again and you want to take it further.

Were you notified of your colleague's low intelligence prior to the incident? Was supervising over your colleague's work part of your job description? If the answer to either of the questions is no, the question goes back to your supervisor, why she hadn't, and why she dumped (=transferred) the responsibility onto you.

Can you document your flashbacks to the point where the damages can be quantified with an assessment by a medical expert?
If so, sue the sorry mother, and get it over with. Make the sorry company responsible (=pay in a monetary sum) for the emotional damages you had to unduly suffer.
The process may be draining and agonising, whether or not the damages inficted classifies yours to a small claims court, yet you will have recovered your dignity, and justice will have been served.

sounds like its her with a serious problem, her actions were an elaborate way of covering up her own incompitence, it was bad management and that is the only way bad managers can deal with problems that are beyond them. forget it, if you think some tart shouting at you is an ordeal then try being killed on a daily basis, if it happens again don't put up with it, either interupt and ask who she thinks she shouting at or simply walk away this will show them up and embarras them, you do not have to put up with verbal or physical abuse.