Harassment/Bullying in the workplace

Just wondering how many of you have jobs where your bosses/supervisors/co-workers "pick on you" because you are deaf/HOH.

Do you find yourself just "putting up with it" because you are afraid of pissing someone off and losing your job?

At my job, I am in a position somewhere between the middle and the top. Since I am the 'odd one', the spotlight is usually on me.

They like to make fun of my deafness at my expense. I try to laugh with them, putting on a face that "it doesn't bother me", but deep down inside, it aggravates me.

It is not just me, we have another HOH guy that gets it just as bad, even though he can hear a lot more than I can.

I don't complain, since it would be very hard to find another job if something happens. Piss off the bosses and you might not have a job when it comes to layoff time.

Here are some of the comments that have been said to my face:

"What are you, fucking deaf??"
"Read my fucking lips"
"I don't know why they hired you if you cannot talk on the Nextel...no one can do their jobs without a cell phone"


Since I "forced" them to get me a VP-200 in the office, I haven't asked anyone to make any phone calls for me, which made things much, much easier on me. Of course, they make comments like "Do you watch porn on that TV?" Many of them walk in on me while I am in the middle of a call and start waving at the interpreters....:roll:

I know....
been there...

I have no regrets leaving the job on the spot. It got me $80k...

posts from hell said:

I know....
been there...

I have no regrets leaving the job on the spot. It got me $80k...

Click to expand...

same here. much less $$ though. could have lawsuit proceed to court but we made a settlement. always wonder if that was right decision. but anyway, they lost a good worker and there's someone else better that needs me.

green427 said:

Just wondering how many of you have jobs where your bosses/supervisors/co-workers "pick on you" because you are deaf/HOH.

Do you find yourself just "putting up with it" because you are afraid of pissing someone off and losing your job?

At my job, I am in a position somewhere between the middle and the top. Since I am the 'odd one', the spotlight is usually on me.

They like to make fun of my deafness at my expense. I try to laugh with them, putting on a face that "it doesn't bother me", but deep down inside, it aggravates me.

It is not just me, we have another HOH guy that gets it just as bad, even though he can hear a lot more than I can.

I don't complain, since it would be very hard to find another job if something happens. Piss off the bosses and you might not have a job when it comes to layoff time.

Here are some of the comments that have been said to my face:

"What are you, fucking deaf??"
"Read my fucking lips"
"I don't know why they hired you if you cannot talk on the Nextel...no one can do their jobs without a cell phone"


Since I "forced" them to get me a VP-200 in the office, I haven't asked anyone to make any phone calls for me, which made things much, much easier on me. Of course, they make comments like "Do you watch porn on that TV?" Many of them walk in on me while I am in the middle of a call and start waving at the interpreters....:roll:

Click to expand...

sue them.

Been putting up with it for 10 years. Ugh. I need the insurance and dont wish to burden my husband.

LDNanna said:

Been putting up with it for 10 years. Ugh. I need the insurance and dont wish to burden my husband.

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10 years? that's easy $$$$$$$ for you and your hubby.

get the same everywhere i have ever worked. you have to document everything- time, nature of harassment and description. try to develop a relationship with your HR dept. if your company is large enough there may be more than one person there. make one your advocate. same thing with the people you work with. make friends with who you can so you have people on your side. it is called "workplace politics".
i have never had to resort to HR for problems because my "personality" is enough to get people to back off. still, learn to play the office game. get people on your side and DOCUMENT DOCUMENT any occurrences.

DDU said:

get the same everywhere i have ever worked. you have to document everything- time, nature of harassment and description. try to develop a relationship with your HR dept. if your company is large enough there may be more than one person there. make one you advocate. same thing with the people you work with. make friends with who you can so you have people on your side. it is called "workplace politics".
i have never had to resort to HR for problems because my "personality" is enough to get people to back off. still, learn to play the office game. get people on your side and DOCUMENT DOCUMENT any occurrences.

Click to expand...

Agree. I had to actually cuss a few people out, not caring if I lost my job or not. Even took some people into the office. Once it was "known" that I would not accept any harrassment, zero tolerance for sexual harrassment, it eventually stopped. No one deserves to have to work in such a hostile environment!

rockin'robin said:

Agree. I had to actually cuss a few people out, not caring if I lost my job or not. Even took some people into the office. Once it was "known" that I would not accept any harrassment, zero tolerance for sexual harrassment, it eventually stopped. No one deserves to have to work in such a hostile environment!

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That is what I did .... very recently. Except I didn't use any swear words.


When "the bossman" threatened to terminate me if I ever "bucked up to a supervisor again", I said "That is fine with me, I will just release the video footage I have on youtube".

That is when we started to talk .... :roll:


Things I have had to put up with:

1) I asked for clarification from a co-worker on something I had not heard - co-worker placed hands on me and screamed in my ear.

2) Same co-worker placed hands on me and "pretended" to arrest me on two occassions - I told co-worker to cease and desist - later said thought I was joking

3) Same co-worker barked 10 different things to me in a manner of about 5 seconds. I blew a fuse, got in co-worker's face and very STRONGLY told co-worker to cease and desist.

4) Co - worker had me call after that episode - I used Sorenson and recorded the convo from my home. Co-worker apologized and admitted they were out of line.

5) Co-worker is related to my immediate supervisor (hmmmm, how DID co-worker get that job?)

6) After the above episode, Immediate supervisor reamed me a new one over something 3 other workers had done - other workers were as confused about a new procedure as I was. They were not treated like a 5 year old, I was. I reamed him a new one back.

7) Immediate supervisor threatened me and attempted to intimidate me and even claimed I was using the "deaf card".

8) I asked for a clear definition of what a "deaf card" is, followed up with "does it mean when a deaf or HoH individual is being harrassed for their disability, they file a complaint based on that? Is that 'using the deaf card'?"

9) I was told it was illegal to film anything in my place of work - I informed him that it was not. My state is a one party state - it may be against company policy but was not illegal. I also informed him I am not a 5 year old and have been up this road many many times.

10) Meeting was requested between myself and his supervisor.



P.S. He had a very dry mouth after the conversation - especially when I informed him that "Yes, I will be using the deaf card".


I have a feeling I will lose anyways. Since when does the EEOC back up anyone going through this?


edit: filling out a complaint anyways.

I know it seems a long shot but if we don't do these things they not only think they can get away with, but they really are.

I have refused to revisit some clients at work due to their insults to me. If my boss every pushed the issue I am fully prepared to walk out.

I did not realize it was this common. Seems to be the same pattern. I used to be fearful I would get fired if I spoke up ... now I realize having self respect is more valuable than any job you can have.

Gee .. what is "the deaf card"? Is that something new? Do hearing people :roll: when a deaf person complains they were just completely shit on?

If only they could pass a law that a deaf person can whap someone on the nose with a pen or pencil for everytime they are "teased/picked on/bullied".

Maybe after a few whacks they may not think their jokes are that funny.

posts from hell said:

I know....
been there...

I have no regrets leaving the job on the spot. It got me $80k...

Click to expand...

how'd you do it?

what happened?

details ... details ...

Sad stories here .. I guess I have been fortunate enough to not have this kind of behavior pulled on me. I hope for all of you who are going through this at work that you can either sue or get some kind of resolution.

My boss is an advocate for the deaf. She learned alphabet sign language right before my first interview for the IT job that I applied for, learned more sign language for my second interview and hired me to the job. On my orientation day, she knew enough sign language to communicate effectively. Right now we talk like if we are both deaf.

One time when boss and I were talking in lounge, we used sign language, she turned her voice OFF. We were talking about a lot of things, mentally it was NOT quiet (know what I mean?) Then a staff walked in, saw us talking and said "boy it is QUIET in here" my boss woke up and realized that we were NOT quiet AT ALL (used sign language LOUDLY)!!! LOL!

I can understand the pressure about being a "minor" in workplace, being harassed and discriminated a lot. I worked for a company as Database programmer, they didn't realize how HARD it would be to PROGRAM an application with SQL (Structured Queue Language). I developed a lot of applications and since it is DYNAMIC (constantly changing) they depend on me a lot. The next programmer (if I am too busy or sick) is about 300 miles away, they are ALWAYS busy to respond or to help. At that time I was awfully harassed and discriminated a lot. I just ignored them (learned from my father, BE BORED WITH THEM) and moved on with my job duties. So when I applied for my current job and got a new job, I left that company. Then for next few days they have been emailing me asking for help on their applications, I told them to call their programmer 300 miles away! Then their programmer emailed me asking me on how I got them done, I told them, I forgot.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

wow...I am so sad reading these stories. Makes it look like all hearing people are assholes... and we're not. The bad ones just make us all look so awful

Not all hearing people are, but MOST are. They are UNEDUCATED about minorities or they do not care.

chipmunkis said:

wow...I am so sad reading these stories. Makes it look like all hearing people are assholes... and we're not. The bad ones just make us all look so awful

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There are a lot more understanding hearies than the ones who are assholes. The assholes just really suck.


really .... really .... suck.

Any person should only have to say "stop" once. They shouldn't have to say it everyday at work.

I put it this way once to someone who was joking about my disability - "Hey look, there is another handicapped person in a wheelchair ... quick - go tell him one of your funny jokes about people in wheelchairs ...."

the reply "Hey .. that was mean"


me ... "exactly - so stop making jokes about me being deaf".

Steinhauer said:

I put it this way once to someone who was joking about my disability - "Hey look, there is another handicapped person in a wheelchair ... quick - go tell him one of your funny jokes about people in wheelchairs ...."

the reply "Hey .. that was mean"


me ... "exactly - so stop making jokes about me being deaf".

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Good retort. I'll have to try that one out.

I don't know what makes deaf people easy to target. 30-40 years ago, picking on black people in the workplace was tolerated, not anymore. Is it because they now have a 'collective voice' unlike deaf people?

I've had a few co-workers mention that they notice how much crap I get from everyone, and they don't know what makes people do so.

Guess they think deafness is a funny disability?

Also: I have noticed that 99% of the assholes are men...women are not too bad. Wonder if that would be different if I were a woman.....

green427 said:

Good retort. I'll have to try that one out.

I don't know what makes deaf people easy to target. 30-40 years ago, picking on black people in the workplace was tolerated, not anymore. Is it because they now have a 'collective voice' unlike deaf people?

I've had a few co-workers mention that they notice how much crap I get from everyone, and they don't know what makes people do so.

Guess they think deafness is a funny disability?

Also: I have noticed that 99% of the assholes are men...women are not too bad. Wonder if that would be different if I were a woman.....

Click to expand...

Women can be just as bad as the men. I speak from personal exp. I used to work for a freight company and one of the women got promoted to supervisor and things went downhill from there.

She would backstab others and try to get others fired or just make things hell for our co-workers on petty stuff. I remember once she told on someone who painted her toenails in the bathroom on her lunch break.

Once she spread a rumor that I have ringworm when what I had was a recurrent outbreak of eczema on my arms. I have been prone to outbreaks of it all my life. I had to see a doctor to prove that I didn't have ringworm and the boss didn't like it that I had to see a doctor.

My boss would get upset every time I had to see the doctor during work hours for routine stuff like check ups and she would get upset every time I requested a vacation. Many of my coworkers had to use up sick days to see doctors cuz of that.


Tons of people quit rather than endure what we had to go thru and went seeking other jobs as a result. It was apparent to me that the higher ups were aware of this and condoned this. Our workplace had a higher turnover rate than a grocery store so that should say something.

deafskeptic said:

Women can be just as bad as the men. I speak from personal exp. I used to work for a freight company and one of the women got promoted to supervisor and things went downhill from there.

She would backstab others and try to get others fired or just make things hell for our co-workers on petty stuff. I remember once she told on someone who painted her toenails in the bathroom on her lunch break.

Once she spread a rumor that I have ringworm when what I had was a recurrent outbreak of eczema on my arms. I have been prone to outbreaks of it all my life. I had to see a doctor to prove that I didn't have ringworm and the boss didn't like it that I had to see a doctor.

My boss would get upset every time I had to see the doctor during work hours for routine stuff like check ups and she would get upset every time I requested a vacation. Many of my coworkers had to use up sick days to see doctors cuz of that.


Tons of people quit rather than endure what we had to go thru and went seeking other jobs as a result. It was apparent to me that the higher ups were aware of this and condoned this. Our workplace had a higher turnover rate than a grocery store so that should say something.

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Did you know it is against ADA to mention someone's medical condition ....

I would think it is for the reason you have described above.

But, is it EVER enforced?