I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

Original post by nmagel

Feb 01, 2008 07:44 PM

I JUST started a new job this week and my boss is sooo inappropriate. For starters, he runs his hand down my shoulder several times a day. He was looking through a day planner and in plain view I noticed a print out of a pornographic image. He mentions how he likes to go the southern office b/c they have a hot receptionist, and everyone in the office is allowed to wear jeans on Friday but yesterday he said I couldn't. When I came to work in a suit, he said 'you look so nice and everyone else looks like sh*t'. The kicker is, he said 'i'm so glad I hired you. It's like love!' He creeps me out and wants me to go on a biz trip w/ him in a couple of weeks.
Am I wrong or do I have a right to feel this way????

bella1028 Posted: Feb 01, 2008 08:21 PM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

Posted by BklynBride2Be

im skeeved out and all i did was read this!!

i absolutely 110% agree...you need to address this asap...i know it will be uncomfortable, but for yourself you really should

kimandvin Posted: Feb 01, 2008 08:25 PM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

You cant just go straight to a lawyer.. you need to first address him verbally or in writing and tlel him how you feel.. and keep a record of this.. you can tell him taht you feel that his attitude towards you and physical gestures make you feel uncomfortalbe and inapropriate and you would like him to stop.. If he continue then you go to a lawyer Hope that helps!

DavaDay Posted: Feb 01, 2008 08:38 PM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

This is definitely harrassment - you don't have to worry that you're making an unfounded charge or anything. He might try to laugh off the porn thing and the hot receptionist thing (although those are creepy too) but he has NO RIGHT to touch you anywhere, ever. And when you report him for doing so, not a single person will think that he's 'just being a guy' and that you're just a whiner. He's crossed the line several different ways, but the fact that he runs his hand down your shoulder several times a day is one that can't be misinterpreted. Correct me if I'm wrong, because I just checked it out by Googling a couple of sites, but this would be a misdemeanor battery charge.

But. He might get away with it if he can claim that he thought you were into it. If you've never confronted him about it, do so on Monday morning. A clear, firm, 'I'm sorry, but that makes me uncomfortable' in front of a couple of witnesses should do it. If you're worried about keeping your job, you can just leave it at that and walk away - don't let him try to make excuses, and don't get into a fight. If he's got any sense, he'll back off. And if he doesn't, then you don't want to work for him. Your dignity is worth more than the paycheck he's giving you.

This is such a tough situation, but always remember that you are 100% right and he is 100% a loathsome human being.

040508Bride Posted: Feb 01, 2008 09:32 PM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

ummmm you THINK you're being harassed?? Sweety you ARE being harassed!!!!!! Expose him!!! No one needs money that bad, sorry!! Do not deal with this!

MrsK2008 Posted: Feb 01, 2008 09:35 PM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

ew...........if you are serious you need to find a new job or tell him that you find his office chat highly inappropriate

Soon2beAlberti Posted: Feb 01, 2008 09:46 PM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

um...ya dood...you need to not have this job...or document it and sue for harassment so at least u get something out of your loss for leaving...this kind of work environment will only cause problems...not just for you but for your relationship with FH coz if he finds out...and he's anything like my FH he'll try to kill this guy. messy situation...get out of there A.S.A.P

Soon2beAlberti Posted: Feb 01, 2008 09:50 PM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

I wouldn't go to HR until you have proof. thats priority #1 is getting solid proof otherwise its just your word against his and they'll let him in on what is being said...he'll know it was you who spilled the beans and it'll be a bad situation. If you have proof then they have no reason not to fire him and then you safeguard yourself from being the one to get fired or retaliated against.

and once you get some proof, tell him it makes you uncomfortable and ask him to stop...then continue to get proof if he continues and you've got him.

madseason Posted: Feb 01, 2008 09:52 PM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

go to his superior (if he has one) but you definitley are....is there an HR person you can talk to....there has to be someone....

can u look for another job...highly inappropriate!!!!!!!!

ChristinaNTodd08 Posted: Feb 01, 2008 09:53 PM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

I'm not a lawyer, but I am in HR. And your description is textbook sexual harrassment.
Since he's your direct manager even if you were 'into it' as someone else noted, he's still guilty of sexual harrassment.
Go to HR if you have one, if not you can go to his boss, or if you want to go to someone outside of the company go to the the EEOC (gov't agency, google them) Make sure you document everything. Write down what happened, dates, etc. Don't let him get away with it.

GinaBambina08 Posted: Feb 01, 2008 09:57 PM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

If i'm not mistaken, you've only been working there for a week? I guarantee his actions are only going to escalate. If I were you, I wouldn't report him just yet, I would get some kind of evidence of this abuse first, and when you have a sufficient amount, then report him. Reporting him now without evidence won't benefit you, especially since you're new and have no evidence of his actions. It'll be just your words against his and at this point, they'd be more inclined to believe him

gfield101 Posted: Feb 01, 2008 11:29 PM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

Posted by BklynBride2Be

im skeeved out and all i did was read this!!

DITTO

DD628 Posted: Feb 01, 2008 11:44 PM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

you should tell him to stop~~~

LeeLee111 Posted: Feb 01, 2008 11:50 PM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

LAWSUIT!!

Cutechef729 Posted: Feb 01, 2008 11:51 PM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

First you have to let him know that it's unwanted. You also need to document everything. I would keep a running list of things he's said done. The thing is if you don't ask him to stop or ask him not to leave those images around, it's kind of a sticky situation. I'm not a lawyer but I learned about it a lot in school. I've also run into this a lot being a woman in the restaurant business. I hope you say something! No one deserves to be treated like that! Good luck!

angl2001 Posted: Feb 02, 2008 12:00 AM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

yeah um...thats not cool......you are not imagining that is awkward!!

JeanetteandSteve Posted: Feb 02, 2008 12:13 AM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

OMG...that is serious harassment!! please tell me you'll say something to him or do something about it.

AndRecKy Posted: Feb 02, 2008 06:40 AM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

sassygirl9 Posted: Feb 02, 2008 06:45 AM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

OMG run the other way, it's a perv.

mRm2008 Posted: Feb 02, 2008 07:02 AM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

OMG what a creep! Take it to HR either in office or directly to headquarters. That is not cool

Papillon25 Posted: Feb 02, 2008 07:40 AM

Re: I think I'm being sexually harassed at work! any lawyers?

I'm an HR Manager

Make sure you have say no to him or your comment made me uncomfortable or something like that.

IF you are uncomfortable doing this, its ok. Make sure you see your HR person first thing Monday morning.

If they know what they are doing, they will conduct an investigation and ask other people if they have witnessed anything or if anyone else feels they have been harassed.

Chances are, he will be fired not you!!!!!!

If they can't prove he did anything, and its your word against his, they will probably send him to sensitivity training or something. But hopefully, the attention will at least be enough to get him to stop and you can make it through the wedding.

Whenever its a supervisor involved, the company is always liable legally. However, you will loose your court case if you do not follow thier procedures for reporting the incident and at least allowing them to attempt to make a resolution. Assuming that is, your company has an HR dept and a policy regarding sexual harrassment.

It is 100% illegal for them to fire YOU for reporting this. If they do, you will win your case 100% and correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you can also sue for punitive damages.