I have been assualted (touched inappropriately) at my workplace. I am wondering what steps to take? I spoke with the people have hired me and there will be a meeting set up. Would I get fired for this. They said I may be possibly transferred if I want that. What do you think? What would you do? It is a crime against me.I am a hard worker and dont want to feel like I am the bad person.
2006-11-09 12:43:45 · 13 answers · asked by guardianangel2008 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Your employer cannot take adverse action against you for reporting workplace harassment, it's illegal and would, as another respondent pointed out, give you the right to file suit against them. So don't worry about getting fired. As for transferring you against your will, I'm not sure, it would depend on both state law and the specifics of the case and the positions involved.
Your state will have some sort of board to which you could take complaints regarding workplace harassment. You should probably give your employer the chance to handle it before you file a formal complaint, but go ahead and contact that body to find out what your exact rights and your employer's responsibilities are under state law. Check with your state's department of labor, to find out who exactly where to go. You could also contact your state legislator to find out where to go for information.
Be professional and patient, your employer should have procedures in place for dealing with incidents like this, but they'll need to investigate and develop their own paper trail before they can take action. Be sure to keep track of who you meet with and notes on what they say about the situation and the process involved.
Hopefully your employer handles this appropriately and will be able to take action against the person who wronged you. Best of luck to you in getting this resolved quickly.
2006-11-09 13:03:01 · answer #1 · answered by Jacob1207 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
first they cannot legally fire you. If it is proven true they should fire the other person... Do not accept a transfer do not accept anything but that other person being let go. There is supposed to be a zero tolerance against sexual harassment at work.. So, make them stick by it. Also, if they do fire you go from there to a good lawyer and file a suit against them. In the meantime write down all you can remember about what date it happened, how you were touched etc. plus, write down who all you told and what was said in those conversations. This will help you in court if they do fire you... It may also help you when you have your meeting with these people. They will know you are prepared to take it to a lawsuit if it comes to them firing you
2006-11-09 14:27:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
you did not say who touched you, a boss, a co-worker or a customer
Now it is possible that they talk to the person invovled, Require some sexual discrimination classes for the person invovled,or the entire work force. Our company requires a sexual and other discriminatoin training every year
It is more seroius if it is a boss, since you are never suppose to have a boss creating this atmosphere
If it is a co worker, they should move or transfer the co worker, not you, there is no reason you should have any change due to you. There is alittle more lattitude for a co-worker, depending on the situation. Normally they would be warned and that would or shoud be the end of it.
If it was a customer, it is harder to deal with that.
2006-11-09 13:46:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
First, there is no way you should be fired and if you are, hire a good attorney. The person that did the touching should be the one in trouble - are you sure you told them to stop? Hopefully you did. What are your company's policy about sexual harassment? If you feel a crime was committed, i.e. sexual assualt, then perhaps a criminal complaint is the way to go. Proceed slowly, the meeting maybe fair and honest, but be proceed with caution.
2006-11-09 12:50:26 · answer #4 · answered by jack w 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You're in a tough spot. Do you hire a lawyer, or will that make them nervous. Are they trying to do the right thing or just appease you.
First of all, how much do you trust your own judgement, and how much do you trust someone involved in the fix. If the answer is that you don't trust them, and think you may be to easygoing, get representation. Otherwise, just keep your eyes open.
Now, on being transferred, I'd suggest you not accept that. Insist that the ... Defendant... be moved or fired. If YOU accept a transfer, YOU have a transfer because of a problem on YOUR record. Make HIM/HER move. Put it on HIS/HER record.
If you say it's a crime, it's really serious. Not all sexual harassment is criminal. Don't let this go on YOUR record, make it go on the one who was wrong.
2006-11-09 13:24:10 · answer #5 · answered by open4one 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If they fire you then you have grounds to SUE them. They can not fire you for an altercation at work that was out of your control. There are laws against that.
Tell them you want to see action taken against the guy who did this. /Be touch and push hard. Tell them he is the one you want transferred as you did nothing wrong.
If they give you a hard time and do not give you your wishes tell them you will report the abuse to the top. Or you will tell the media your story and ruin their business and reputation.
No woman should ever have to take Abuse at work. Fight back. You should make sure he is punished in some way and away from you.
2006-11-09 12:48:55 · answer #6 · answered by Nevada Pokerqueen 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Was it sexual battery? You should make a police report.
And you shouldn't have to be transferred. The person who did this is a liability to that company, and should be fired. As for this meeting, if you have to face the person who did this, it could constitute further harassment. They are supposed to investigate, and take action.
Remember, you are not to blame in any of this. You are not the bad person. If they won't take action; first, file a police report, then get an attorney and sue them for failure to supervise.
2006-11-09 13:14:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Tell your boss (and/or the management of the organization you work for), and then call the police and report it to them.
If it was your boss that assaulted you, then report it to his boss or one of his equals (another boss on the same level as him) or some other person in management that has power.
If you know of any co-worker that witnessed it and is willing to say so, then get them to come with you to the police department so they can give their statement as well.
(also, if you end up having to sue the company (for firing you or for not dealing with the problem), having someone else's statement will back up your case (give you more credibility) in a court of law.
I wouldn't worry about being fired. You have to speak the truth, and tell what happened.
2006-11-09 12:51:15 · answer #8 · answered by Wayne A 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Tell your boss, everyone has the right to feel safe and respected in the workforce. You don't need to be transferred, the assaulter has too since he doesn't deserve the prilivige of working where you do. At the meeting explain how you felt when you were assaulted by him and how you feel now.
2006-11-09 12:53:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well first If you reported it to your employer, good then i would have went to the police and reported a sexual assault. If you say inappropriately then its sexual .. A CRIME!!! you have a time limit here so you need to act fast.If they fire you you can sue them under the "whistle blowers act" it protects people for reporting them who do wrong . If they fire you for firing you because you reported you were assaulted then they can be charged for discrimination $$$$$$$$! good luck
2006-11-09 13:09:29 · answer #10 · answered by R J 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋