Being Sexually Harassed at Work! Please Help!!!

[xi_pinkrose]

From my own experience, the system (or the powers the be) will make you feel like the guilty party. You are entitled to receive full pay for days you are asked to stay home from work. While the "situation" is being investigated or resolved.

I was out of work for a week because I was touch inappropriately and reported it. I felt like crap, I thought I made the biggest mistake of my life, I felt like I was being punished. Then I got paid for staying home and it was kinda nice.

I was strong enough to return to the job. I know I didn't do anything wrong. People would come up to me telling me how strong I was because I came back to work. They also thanked me for taking care of a situation that could have been much worse.

Hang in there and do the right thing. I was fortunate to work for a temp agency that handled all the legal fees. But yes lawyers on both sides were involved. It was pretty serious. And was serious!

You have a huge support system on GC.

ETA: Record the weather it sounds silly but holds a lot of weight for some reason. 70 degrees and raining means something.

[lake]

Originally Posted by xi_pinkrose

From my own experience, the system (or the powers the be) will make you feel like the guilty party. You are entitled to receive full pay for days you are asked to stay home from work. While the "situation" is being investigated or resolved.

This is so, so true, unfortunately.

Fortunately I've never dealt with sexual harassment, but almost three years ago I ended up having to deal with one of the most nasty, unpleasant persons I've ever met in my life.

Long story short, this woman was an incredible bully, very negative and vindictive. She was in charge of training me, and her hostile behavior became so uncomfortable for me I eventually complained to my supervisor. I learned that I was NOT the first one to complain about her behavior. In fact, two people before me in my position had quit because of her! But management refused to do anything because she had been there for forever and basically knew the department better than anyone there. After a couple of meetings with my supervisor (at which I was told I was doing a "great job" and this was just something I'd have to deal with), I finally asked him, "When are you going to deal with this problem? This behavior is not acceptable. Harassment is harassment."

Actually saying the word 'harassment' was the catalyst for me, but not necessarily in a good way. My supervisor then claimed he was obligated to bring in HR to mediate, I was forced to have a face-to-face meeting with this nasty woman with an HR rep, and ultimately my performance went from "great" to "not great", and I was told this was why this nasty person was justified in treating me so shabbily. Poor thing...she was just frustrated! Needless to say, I left a few days later, and never regretted it.