I had to break up a fight at work today.

[Mutley]

Two women who work there live in the same neighborhood and have apparently known each other for quite some time. They had some personal conflict, I have no idea what, before either of them ever started working there.

Today they both came to me on separate occasions saying the other had been talking about her, they're about to fight, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. I told them both they needed to find a way to deal with it, and that personal problems do Not belong in the store. They both agreed to leave it alone.

About an hour later I hear screaming up at the registers, I run over to see them flailing at each other. I had to pull one back while a coworker held the other. Meanwhile, all of the other employees and the customers formed a circle around us like it was a playground fight or something.

They were both sent home, and I have no idea what will happen to them. They are both otherwise decent employees, so I don't know if they'll be fired. Something is gonna have to give, though, because I don't see them being able to work together.

Oy, the Christmas season is stressful enough without the employees going at each other's throats like that.

[Oeditpus Rex]

1. This happened in front of customers?

They're toast.

[Mutley]

2. Yup.

Front end on a busy Saturday. LOTS of customers around.

[nini]

3. you know.. I have never been in a physical fight

I just don't get it when people do that.

Seems they have to be fired - they crossed a line that should not be tolerated.

[Mutley]

5. You're right, they should.

But things don't usually go the way they should in that place, though.

[Pushed To The Left]

4. I got to break up a fight about 11 or 12 years ago,along with several near fights

I was doing graveyard security at a UPS. Two young employees looked like they were horsing around when another employee said "you should probably break this up". As I approached the two, I could see that they were throwing some serious punches! I got between them and they stopped fighting, and I had to write a report about it. Apparently,one of them had touched the other's car! A week later, I had to get between another two employees when one of them thought the other called him the N word in Spanish! Luckily, they didn't get a chance to come to blows, but I think I had to follow them around a little in the parking lot to make sure! I once had to get between a woman and a man who were having a traffic dispute when I was doing security at Fashion Island. Finally, around 1997 or so, I had to get between 2 other security guards who were about to come to blows! This post is bringing back the memories!

[Mutley]

6. LOL!

Okay, that's more drama than I want in my life.

:P

[RedCloud]

7. Any photos?

Just asking :shrug:

[Mutley]

9. Nah

Don't you think they'd be in the OP if I had any? :P

[Trajan]

8. In the places where I have worked since 1979

Fighting was instant dismissal .... no ifs, ands or buts ....

Throw a punch: you are gone .....

[Mutley]

10. As it should be

But this place is run like a circus. "Normal" rules don't seem to apply.

[Rabrrrrrr]

11. Looks they need some maturity training.

If I were the manager, they'd be toast.

[Mutley]

12. No kidding

I'd never dream of getting into a physical fight with someone, especially at work. They probably won't be fired, though. That place is ridiculous.