Colleague Uses Disability as Excuse to Bully Coworkers. AITA for Getting Them Suspended?

Chifundo
Wheel chair in a parking lot.
Unsplash | vitor camilo

A man starts a new job at a law firm and encounters a colleague who uses their disability as a free pass to bully others. After being berated for using a disabled bathroom, the man confronts the colleague and gets them suspended from work. Despite feeling guilty, he is relieved to see a better atmosphere in the office.

Read on to find out if he was in the wrong. But be warned, this story is not for the faint-hearted as it involves workplace bullying and discrimination. How would you handle a colleague who uses their disability to bully others?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Starting a new job turned into a nightmare. Here's why.

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Office bully J causing trouble: my experience so far.

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Toxic work environment? HR not helping? 😒

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Navigating ableism in the workplace: a cautionary tale 🔍

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Navigating disability and workplace bullying: My encounter with J

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Encountering office bully in disabled bathroom, receives unwelcome interruption.

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Bullied for using a disabled bathroom, am I the a**hole?

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Standing up to ableism at work with a show and tell 👕

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

A colleague uses their disability as an excuse for bullying.

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

My harmless gossip caused a colleague to berate my mentor?

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Standing up to a workplace bully, even with a disability 👊

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Confronting a colleague who uses disability to bully coworkers 💪

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Standing up to workplace bullies - A moral dilemma. 🤔

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Colleague suspended for misconduct over disability-based bullying. 🚫

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Being the bigger person: dropping a complaint to avoid drama.

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Venue director gets involved in coworker's suspension, what's next?

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Positive vibes in the office after bully's suspension! 😊

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Grateful for support amidst colleague's ableist bullying. 💜

niffedofficeworker | niffedofficeworker

Bullied by a colleague with a disability. AITA for getting them suspended? 🤔

A man with a stoma bag at a law firm has been bullied by a colleague with a disability, who uses it as an excuse to mistreat others. When J berated him for using the disabled bathroom, he showed her his bag, and the next day, she put a sign on the door saying it was for wheelchair users only.

When he mentioned it to a colleague, J complained to HR, resulting in a verbal warning. Feeling guilty for getting her suspended, he wonders if he was TA. After discussing the incident with HR, he learns that J was suspended for gross misconduct, and he can drop the complaint. Despite his willingness to let it go, the venue director gets involved, which doesn't bode well for J.

The man's warning is expunged, and the office atmosphere improves. Read on to learn more about this situation and its aftermath.

NTA! Commenters share their own experiences with invisible disabilities.

No-Trouble8035 | No-Trouble8035

Wheelchair sign in law firm and a colleague's bullying. NTA wins.

Aaroniero | Aaroniero

Bullying colleague gets suspended, NTA. Justice served. 💯

undertherosetrellis | undertherosetrellis

Standing up against disability bullying and advocating for accessibility. 🦸‍♀️

tartymae | tartymae

Commenter explains the legality of accessible restrooms, supports OP's actions. 👍

mdthomas | mdthomas

Bullying backfires at law firm, NTA for suspension. 🤭

Away_Refuse8493 | Away_Refuse8493

Fighting against ableism in the workplace. 💪

IntoTheSinBinForYou | IntoTheSinBinForYou

Bullying colleague puts up sign in bathroom; gets herself suspended. NTA.

Dizzy_Yard7671 | Dizzy_Yard7671

Document everything and threaten to file a lawsuit if needed 💼

[deleted] | [deleted]

Supporting a fellow bag wearer, NTA for standing up to bullying 👏

Glad-Ability4018 | Glad-Ability4018

Standing up to workplace bullying. 🙌 NTA for taking action.

C_Majuscula | C_Majuscula

Proving disability and complaining to HR gets bully suspended. 🙌

veni_vidi_dixi | veni_vidi_dixi

Disability is not an excuse for bullying. NTA for standing up.

58_Odie | 58_Odie

Colleague bullies coworker with disability, gets suspended. HR intervenes. 😠

3xlduck | 3xlduck

Disability isn't an excuse for being a bully. NTA 👏

cluberti | cluberti

Standing up against workplace bullying, NTA shines a light 👏

SaraG1973 | SaraG1973

Standing up against workplace bullying, you're NTA 🙌

squishpitcher | squishpitcher

You stood up against bullying. NTA 🙌

diminishingpatience | diminishingpatience

Confronting ableist behavior: NTA for standing up for self.

WholeAd2742 | WholeAd2742

Commenter cleverly uses Uno reverse card. 🃏😎

Forward_Squirrel8879 | Forward_Squirrel8879

Documenting workplace bullying is crucial. NTA for reporting.

akani25 | akani25

Standing up to workplace bullying 💪🏼 NTA

Wishiwashome | Wishiwashome

Empowerment! 🙌 You stood up to workplace bullying. #NTA

tratra2010 | tratra2010

Wheelchair-bound colleague bullies coworkers with disabilities, gets suspended. NTA.

The__Riker__Maneuver | The__Riker__Maneuver

Bullying a coworker with a disability? NTA for reporting them! 🙅‍♀️

Shot-Sprinkles6930 | Shot-Sprinkles6930

Coworker with disability bullied me. Boss supported him. Survivor shares PTSD story.

ZentheOgre | ZentheOgre

Standing up to workplace bullies is never an easy feat 💪

zippy_zaboo | zippy_zaboo

Celebrating the downfall of a workplace bully. 🎉

Manager-Limp | Manager-Limp

Commenter references Mr. Burns in NTA response 👍

Leading_Vehicle_4325 | Leading_Vehicle_4325

Justice prevails! NTA for standing up against workplace bullying 🙌

Imaginary_Respect_11 | Imaginary_Respect_11

No a**holes here! OP stands up to workplace bully 👏

DrMindbendersMonocle | DrMindbendersMonocle

Standing up to a bully with a disability 🙅‍♀️👊

XiXyness | XiXyness

Disability not an excuse for being a jerk 🙅

Thediciplematt | Thediciplematt

Using a disability to bully coworkers? NTA takes action 💪

ILoveAllSupernatural | ILoveAllSupernatural

Advocated for self, but better to go to HR directly.

Alarming_Work4005 | Alarming_Work4005

Stand up against workplace bullying! 🚫 NTA.

AilingHen69 | AilingHen69

"NTA - You did great! 👏 Keep up the good work!"

MsJamieFast | MsJamieFast

J got what they deserved. 🙌 NTA for standing up.

MisterEHistory | MisterEHistory

You stood up against workplace bullying. NTA 🙌

Less-Good1430 | Less-Good1430

Bullying a colleague with a disability? Deserves to lose job 😡

No_Associate_7536 | No_Associate_7536

Disabled person shares struggles with ableism and supports OP's actions 🙌

tonya236 | tonya236

You're not the a**hole! 👏 Stand up against workplace bullying.

himmelkatten | himmelkatten

Bullying colleague uses disability as excuse, gets suspended. Justice served ✊

DutyValuable | DutyValuable

Standing up to workplace bullying - legal options explained ✍️

cathline | cathline

Standing up to workplace bullies is always the right move! 💪

AdZealousideal2075 | AdZealousideal2075

Don't feel bad for standing up to a toxic colleague 💪

No_Profit_9398 | No_Profit_9398

Inclusive bathrooms are important for all disabilities. NTA.

etherealparadox | etherealparadox

Breaking: Redditor uses paragraphs correctly! NTA wins!

wilberfan | wilberfan

Standing up to workplace bullying, NTA 🙌

Nerdy_Penguin58 | Nerdy_Penguin58

Inexcusable behavior by a coworker, investigation is necessary 🔍

Kettlewise | Kettlewise

Using disability as an excuse to bully is not acceptable. NTA.

notalltemplars | notalltemplars

Putting up a sign for the disabled bathroom? 🤔 Suspended coworker begs for HR write-up. NTA.

hammocks_ | hammocks_

Standing up to workplace bully, disabled or not, is NTA 🙌

Independent-Top3524 | Independent-Top3524

Standing up against ableism in the workplace. 👏🏼

Immediate_Age | Immediate_Age

Justice served! 👏 NTA for taking a stand.

GrumpyAtheist | GrumpyAtheist

Calling out workplace bullying during pandemic. NTA 👊

Watif6waz9 | Watif6waz9

Equal need, first come first serve on bathrooms. NTA.

Limerase | Limerase

Using disability as an excuse to bully? NTA, highly illegal 💪

jtrisn1 | jtrisn1

Robocop knee owner says NTA and abuse of disability is wrong.

SirAshBob | SirAshBob

Don't stress, you did nothing wrong. Let karma do its job 🍀

AnnoyedDrinker | AnnoyedDrinker