Being Sexually Harassed at Work! Please Help!!!

[RaggedyAnn]

...and make sure you keep the documentation on your person or in your car. Don't leave it at work. And if you have a copy of what was sent, keep it. If it was sent by text, I think the phone company can help you get old texts, if I'm not mistaken.

When you are taking records, document as soon as possible as well, that way you have dates, times, locations and as close to the words as possible. Try to do it right away.

Also, if you don't want to go to a lawyer right away, go upline in the HR Department, or I hate to say this, call a woman in the HR Department.

[ComradesTrue]

As someone who has been through something very similar (harrassment and hostile work environment by my boss) I can't echo the other sentiments loud enough: DOCUMENT everything. Every single thing.

Every single time that he makes an inappropriate remark document the date, time, location, comment and if there were any witnesses. Save all email, text and handwritten notes. Keep them all in a file at home.

In theory these cases should be no-brainers for an HR department, however my experience was otherwise. (shortening a very long story here-the boss had strings pulled by a senior VP- quite illegal, but it happened). It was only because my co-workers and I had over three year's worth of offenses documented in excrutiating detail, and threatened media and legal involvement, that the boss finally was forced to resign. Just in case you run up against similar resistance (sounds like you have so far) you need to have all your ducks in a row.

I also want to reiterate- this is not your fault and it is not normal. If you need to talk to a professional once all this is over you should feel okay about doing so. These situations can mirror living with an abuser and because the offenders are in a position of authority and you are new to the workforce- so just make sure it doesn't mess you up in the head. Before anyone laughs that I am over-reacting with the professional help thing: my employer/company was so mortified with everything that we had endured that they offered the professional help on their dime during our workday.

[Gucci Model]

Originally Posted by Blondie93

I also want to reiterate- this is not your fault and it is not normal. If you need to talk to a professional once all this is over you should feel okay about doing so. These situations can mirror living with an abuser and because the offenders are in a position of authority and you are new to the workforce- so just make sure it doesn't mess you up in the head.

This made me almost cry because this is how I've been feeling. It is really starting to mess with me and get me very very down.

ETA: I've actually started waking up in the night with nightmares and feeling stressed all the time because I'm so nervous about the situation. And I used to be a really laid back girl, so this is very unlike me.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by RaggedyAnn

Also, if you don't want to go to a lawyer right away, go upline in the HR Department, or I hate to say this, call a woman in the HR Department.

At least talk to a lawyer (you don't have to hire them unless you want to) before you talk to HR.

It may seem like a big step, but the lawyer can't do anything without your approval and what you tell them is absolutely confidential. You should go into this situation knowing what your legal rights and expectations are.