MANAGE YOUR ANGER CAREFULLY
By
Darlys Walker
Published July 4, 2018
We have all either heard stories, or witnessed
for ourselves, those owners and or board members who become so irate
over an issue, they become physically or verbally abusive to fellow
board members or owners.
I have personally seen chairs thrown and punches
exchanged. Not to mention cursing, name calling and threats of
bodily harm that would embarrass a drunken sailor! (no offense to
sailors intended)
In one unfortunate incident, a board member shot
and killed a homeowner who refused to remove his dog from the pool.
So what, if any, actions can or should a board take to lessen such
outbursts and is there any requirement to do so? HUD (Federal
Housing and Urban Development) clearly believes that a board should
take corrective action/preventative action.
Effective October 14, 2016 HUD amended its
regulation regarding the fair housing act adding “Discrimination
based on Quid Pro Quo harassment and or hostile environment
harassment.
Hostile environment harassment is defined as
“Hostile environment harassment refers to unwelcome conduct that is
sufficiently severe or pervasive (from the perspective of the
aggrieved person) as to interfere with the provision of enjoyment of
services or facilities in connection with someone’s use and
enjoyment of their home.”
“Neither psychological nor physical harm must be
demonstrated to prove hostile environment harassment and the
harassment can written, verbal or any other conduct.
Clearly the board member shooting the unit owner
with the dog is criminal. But what about those owners and board
members who raise their voices, call others S.O.B or Bit*h evading
someone’s personal space but never actually putting their hands on
the other person. Is this considered harassment? According to HUD
yes, and it is the boards responsibility to stop it! So what can the
board do?
Here are a few suggestions….
1.
Establish a code of conduct for every
board member to fully understand and agree to comply with.
2.
Establish proper conduct for all meetings
and establish a no tolerance policy for those who chose to act out.
When in doubt, have security present at your
meeting to maintain control.
