I have been sexually harrased by a co-worker since he started. It is getting out of hand and I am scared. I confronted the guy last week and he started swearing and yelling at me calling me names. I don't know what to do I am a single mother and I need my job so bad. My boss is an ******* and he just thinks the guy could do no wrong. I am scared to go to my boss because to be honest I think he would fire me before he would fire the guy who is harrasing me. I cry everyday and this is affecting my life. I feel the guy is doing it on purpose to make me quit. It is very clear the guy has issues with women and I beleive he is harrasing me in order to make me quit. I beleive if it gets any worse this physco is going to hurt me. Does anyone have any advise for me.
2007-02-06 06:31:19 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Several Steps:
1) Document all instances of the harassment, includes dates, times, what was said and any witnesses.
2) Talk to your boss or if you can't do that to someone one in Human Resources. Explain the situation to them, provide them with a copy of your harassment log (you keep the origional in a safe place away from work) and tell them you want the harassment to stop (document this meeting as well).
3) After the meeting write up the notes you took including the steps that the company has promised to take and send a copy to your boss or HR. This will let them know you are building a paper trail.
4) Immediately inform your boss or HR if the harassment continues or if you are threatened in any way by your boss or co-worker. If this happens notify your attorney.
5) When notified of a harassment complaint a company is required to investigate the complaint and to take steps to protect the person who complained. Any form of retaliation is prohibited and several companies have been sued and lost with big payments because they did not take these steps.
Your objective is to stop the harassment AND keep your job. While you maybe able to sue and win, it could take a long time and you would be out of work during that interval. Most companies do not want to go through this ordeal and will work with you if you give them a chance.
Once last thing, based on what you have said about the working environment, consider looking for another job. You should not have to put up with jerks at work. Good Luck!
2007-02-06 06:58:47 · answer #1 · answered by Bruce H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact your local labor board first. If this is a large company, contact the HR department second. Contact an attorney that specializes in employment law third.
Here's what you tell HR: Your manager is promoting an atmosphere of sexual harrassment in the workplace, and you will sue the company if that is not fixed.
Your attorney will tell the company the same thing, if it's a small outfit, and they don't have any upper management or HR department.
Once you've filed a suit against the company, they'd be foolish to even THINK about firing you - because then you'd have an even stronger case.
What you need to do now, is write down everything you can remember that you consider to be harrassment. Every remark, inuendo, any touching, or anything else. Do not make this emotional - "He made me cry by...". Just put down the date and time, and what he said or did. Record anyone else that might have been able to see or hear what happened. You will need very clear records if this goes to court. Just sitting there and saying "He says all kinds of things to me that are sexual" is not going to win the case for you.
You MUST put your emotion away, and do this in a clear and logical way; otherwise, you will remain a victim.
Lastly, any time he says or does ANYTHING that makes you uncomfortable, say in a clear voice so that others can hear "I find you saying/doing that objectionable. It is sexual harrassment and I will not accept that behavior in the workplace." If you do this consistently, there's every chance that this behavior will stop.
2007-02-06 06:49:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Notify the police. the reason there is going to be a credibility concern is with the help of the fact it is been 6 months and you probably did not say something before. I heavily doubt they are going to fire him, as you probably did not document a acceptable criticism and you have in basic terms delivered this up now that there is an argument which will doubtlessly value you extra funds? NOW - i'm not asserting it is not genuine. i'm not asserting that throughout the time of any way. that may not in any way my place to decide yet i could somewhat document a miscellaneous incident rfile with the police so as that they be attentive to that's an argument and on document. extra sensible risk-free than sorry... besides - if the area is admitting they have been positioned on incorrectly - i don't be attentive to why this got here up as i could think of they could marvelous the concern freed from value. solid success...
2016-09-28 12:22:50 · answer #3 · answered by faim 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you have a human resources person go to them, if not talk to your boss if you get fired you will get unemployment and will have a lawsuit. They must do something when told about this. If it continues i would yell at the guy to stop and stay away from me. He thinks he can get away with it cuz you might be embarrassed or scared. I wouldn't quit cuz you won't get unemployment. but document all the harassment by writing it down and then print up a copy for your boss and a copy for you and tell your boss something must be done. tell the guy if he touching you that you can and will file a police report that is assault. But give your boss the chance to take care of it first.
2007-02-06 06:50:14 · answer #4 · answered by bubbles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you tell your boss about what is going on and he doesn't do anything, or he in fact fires you then you have a lawsuit on your hands. If any employee accuses another of sexual harassment (or any type of harassment) than the employer must look into the problem.
I understand that you are a single mom and that you need to support your family but if you really feel uncomfortable working in that environment, then you should quit and find another job ASAP. No one should be subjected to that type of behavior.
2007-02-06 06:37:42 · answer #5 · answered by orangeblossoms83 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What else do you think? keeping quiet, crying and let the guy continuosly harass you will solve the problem?
First go talk to a lawyer. Sort out exactly what to do. Then go talk to your ******* boss. If he threatens to fire you threaten him back to file a case against him as well as the firm.
If there is no one to speak up for you then you should. ppl will only harass you more if they find you vulnerable. But once you show them you can fight back they will think twice before hurting you.
And dont think that he will hurt you if you do file case or stuff. I think if he finds there is no one to ask if someone does something to you, now thats what will encourage him hurt you. But once you file a case, there is legal proof that he is having hostility towards you. Under such circumstances it will only stop him from thinking about hurting you.
2007-02-06 06:55:55 · answer #6 · answered by Lord Of Lust 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should document every single instance of abuse. If possible, record them using a mini-recorder in your pocket. Present your boss with copies of your evidence (keeping the originals at home, safe), and tell him that you like working for the company and you need your job, but this man and/or his behavior must go. If you are fired, or if the harassment is allowed to continue, it is illegal. You should then consult an attorney. Good luck!
2007-02-06 06:42:27 · answer #7 · answered by oj 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definitely start looking for another job!
You CAN confront your boss and plead your case. Practice in front of a mirror so you don't come across as a whining scaredycat. You need to be STRONG when you make your point.
If the boss still fires you, you can get unemployment while you look for the new job.
2007-02-06 06:41:15 · answer #8 · answered by flywho 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Document everything. You should get a tape recorder or something like that to record everything. Or write everything down. An email to both parties will document that you contact them to correct the situation. Go buy some pepper spray too and take some safe defense lessons.
2007-02-06 06:42:34 · answer #9 · answered by Jody L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
here is what you do...go to your boss and tell him about it, and if he doesn't do something about it that you will file a sexual harrassment lawsuit naming him, the company and theat employee. Tell him you love your job and like working for him but you can't give him 100% with this going on! Document dates and times of the harrassement and any eye witnesses, as well as documenting the meeting with your boss!
2007-02-06 06:36:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋