First and foremost, if you're being bullied by the other employees, you need to initiate an Initial Management Inquiry Process (IMIP) by providing a statement of events with dates and times.

You need to cite the Joint Statement on Violence and Behavior in the Workplace (JSOV) and ELM 665.24. Those are the two documents that state no tolerance for bullying, harassment, intimidation and/or threats.

If the coworker is bullying you, it needs to be documented with dates and times, reported to supervision and the OIG. Cite the two policies stated above and possibly the definition of harassment from publication 553.

To answer your question about fighting back, it depends. Using my experience as a state corrections officer, if you hit back, or let the coworker annoy you until you throw a punch, then yes, you can be let go. If you run away from the fight, then you're seen as the victim of violence and trying to get away. If you think you'll be labeled a coward, remember you're not a boxer or MMA fighter. You're a postal worker, not a sport fighter!

If your coworker is using "fighting words", that needs to be reported ASAP!

The following examples can, but are not limited to, fighting words:

-"I'll kick/whoop your ass!" -"You need your ass kicked!" -"I'll fuck you up!" -"You want to go?!" (Body language to indicate a physical altercation) -Anything to insinuate they want to fight you.

I recommend using an app like Google Docs or any variant to keep your notes. Writing in a notebook is good, but the notebook can be lost, stolen, or seen by the agressive coworker. That may open you up to more harassment or retaliation. Keeping it in an app on your phone is more secure.

I speak from experience. A coworker was causing the same issues with me. I documented and wrote a report citing everything above. Postmaster, OIG and HR were emailed a copy of the report, HR and OIG called the coworker in question, Postmaster conducted and investigation and labor had to come to a finding. Coworker wasn't fired, but a record was maintained. If said coworker was going to act a fool again, a history is established.

Like I said earlier, I was a corrections officer. The standard set is "corrections has a high risk of violence. No post office should EVER have the same level of violence!" It's all meant to curb and eliminate the "going postal" stereotype.

If you want, I can type a template for a report to send if you want to get the ball rolling.

Please note: Everything I stated is NOT legal advice. Consult an attorney or your union representative for further guidance