time for him to leave. This guy proceeded throughout the conversation at the store to make comments about my breasts, and my cleavage, and then he kept saying all sorts of things, in front of my 19 year old daughter to me. Finally when she walked out he started saying, "if you only knew what I was thinking?" I said, "i don't want to know, and its time for you to leave". He finally left, but he is going to return tonight to pick up his Wife's repair. Do I have any grounds for a lawsuit. I just don't want this guy in my store..., and he keeps coming in. I am getting afraid of him, and wonder what he is going to do in here. Does anyone have a suggestion?
2007-08-22 05:48:26 · 13 answers · asked by pansyskunk 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
a law suit is lengthy and may bounce the wrong way leaving you with the court and lawyer bills. (and his as well)
call the police that are connected to your store and tell them what happened, ask them what is the best thing to do next time he tries this.
Since they will be the ones to come out they need to know what to expect and following their advice will make it easier on you.
Once you have their advice, follow it, more than likely they will tell you to tell him he is no longer welcome in the store if he cannot refrain from his verbal abuse.
Put a nice large sign in the window stating any bad behavior or malicious or foul language is not acceptable and the person will be removed from the store immediately following any.
the next time he comes back complete your repair transaction. if he starts again, tell him you cannot accept his type of behavior in your store and he will not able to return at any time in the future.
have someone listening in the back room who can call the police if he tries to make trouble.
2007-08-22 06:04:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's YOUR store. Are you so afraid of losing a sale that you aren't willing to offend a customer even if he's this abusive? Be the queen of your castle, and just throw the jerk out and tell him never to return. Let him send his wife to come and pick up the jewelry, and have a little talk with her in the meantime. You can call the cops and file trespassing charges against him if he takes his time leaving or later comes back. If he hangs around outside your store staring at you or anything like that, you can file a stalking complaint.
You don't have any grounds for a lawsuit, however, because he caused no damages and sexual harassment statutes don't apply to people's customers. His comments, as offensive as they were, are considered free speech. Sexual harassment only applies to the workplace and it would have to involve the inappropriate behavior of a business owner or a supervisor towards a subordinate employee. Legally, you are in a position of authority over the customer because you're the property owner and you can fully control who comes in or stays there. Unlike having a boss sexually harrass an employee in the workplace, a customer is not in a position to fire or punish you for sending him away or not tolerating his advances.
2007-08-22 15:10:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, we don't know in what state you live or if you even live in the U.S. so any advice is irrelevant.
As for installing a camera, you should have one anyway for security, however, in this situation, it is meaningless for the purposes of a lawsuit.
The police also can't do much except talk with the man as no crime has been committed and this is a civil matter.
As for telling him he is no longer welcome in your store, that IS something you can do, even without a witness to the events.
And finally, while a hostile workplace claim can be filed under the circumstances, you are the owner and, as such, have no such claim against anyone. Such a claim would have to be filed with YOUR supervisor of which you have none.
The BEST advice I can give you is to tell the man that once he pays for this object, he is not to enter your store again or you will file for an order of protection on the basis of sexual harassment / stalking.
2007-08-22 13:41:10 · answer #3 · answered by hexeliebe 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since its your store you can say what people you want in it but calling the police and having him taken out could lead to problems later by him meeting and maybe a more physical problem to you or your daughter later.
However , a paper trail by reporting him to the police as also having a working camera that no one but you in the store knows about is a good idea too.
Maybe the best way to handle it is to have his wife pick up her jewelry but if he comes in by himself, then having his wife pick it up doesn't help solve the problem and teling her about his action may backfire. Then she might tell him about causing trouble between them and he might take it out on you or your daughter.
The best way to handle it would be if your local police and have one of thier own especially and better, a female officer in plain clothes there when he picks up the jewelry to catch him being lewd and therefore arrest him. If the local police could handle it in that way, your problem guy would be in court against the local authorities and not you. He would be trying to stay out of jail and forget about you.
2007-08-26 09:44:17 · answer #4 · answered by ron s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He can pick up his wife's stuff later.. Don't talk or make any contact with him. You can also get a restraining order on him very fast. You just have to show that he is a threat to you. Verbal Threat is also fine and its acceptable by court.. Good luck..
2007-08-22 12:58:13 · answer #5 · answered by predforte 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suggest that you call the police. Tell them what happened. Tell them that you are "scared for your life", and that you think this guy is going to rape you & then murder you. Tell them that you want them to be around when this sicko comes back or someone is going to get hurt.
Then, I suggest that you buy a gun and learn how to use it. You are in a very vulnerable situation. You are rape-bait right now. So is your daughter. Two females working alone in a jewelry store. Come on, now. You can't be that naive.
2007-08-22 12:57:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
video camera with sound and fast, I would tape every comment that SOB said. I would also notify law enforcement. If you have any idea what time this guy might be coming around, ask your local PD if an officer can stop by discreetly. I don't know where you are from, but the law enforcement around here watches out for business owners.
2007-08-22 13:01:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
CALL THE POLICE and file a report.
you need a paper trail so you can have grounds for a restraining order.
Id also have a male relative or employee with you at all times until a restraining order is in place.
2007-08-22 12:56:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
When he comes back in to pick up the item, finish the transaction and tell him that he is no longer welcome in your store. Tell him that if he returns, you will call the police and press Trespassing Charges against him. Then, really do it if he returns. If he refuses to leave when you tell him to, then call the police immediately.
2007-08-22 12:54:29 · answer #9 · answered by Citicop 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
try to have someone else in the shop with you when this creep is in your shop. also call the wife and ask her to pick up the repair. Good Luck
2007-08-22 12:55:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋