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Sexual harassment of a co worker. Should I quit?
My co worker was sexually harassed by her manager. The company did an investigation and did nothing after. They said they didn’t have any concrete evidence. Weeks before this happened I filed a complaint about her accuser for the way he speaks to women. I believe he discriminated against the women in the company. Needless to say they found a reason to fire her but he still has his job
Should I quit? I am devastated for this co worker and I don’t think he would ever try to harass me. I just feel like the company failed her and other women as a whole. They are part of the good ole boys club.
Jodie JohnsonIntegrity Matters!
243
11/03/20 at 3:40PM UTC
This is so sad... #MeToo
Blank
32
11/03/20 at 4:21PM UTC
It really is. What he did to her is wrong. They knew each other prior to her working there and he manipulated her the whole time she worked there. He is a disgusting pig.
Angelica PatlánHuman Resources Nonconformist
37
11/03/20 at 3:07AM UTC
Hello,
First, thank you for being there for your coworker. These situations are never easy, so I am glad she had you there to support her.
Second, if you should quit, I think that is a question only you can answer, but here are some things that come to mind for me.
1. Did you already have the idea to leave before these instances? If so, why? Was it the environment, culture, or specific people?
2. Are you financially secure to leave without another job lined up? If so, for how long? If not, let's make an exit strategy.
3. In regards to the incident you reported, ensure that all of your interactions with this boss going forward have receipts. As in any exchange that occurs, summarize what was discussed in an email to that person for your records. This helps keep a paper trail if they try to portray you negatively or spin specific interactions. Always be ten steps ahead and ready to show the facts.
Ultimately, your well-being is what matters most. Don't feel obligated to stay at this job to try to save others. Sometimes, saving yourself is enough. I learned this the hard way. So please, do what is best for you emotionally, financially, mentally, and so on. I wish you the best of luck.
Nora KasedManufacturer in San Diego
149
11/03/20 at 2:56AM UTC
Tell your friend to file a complaint with the EEOC and tell her she can use you as a witness to corroborate her experiences. The company will not be able to retaliate against you and it ensures that something will change. Once the EEOC is involved, companies start paying attention to complaints like this.
Jesika BabylonSwiss Army Knife of Entrepreneurship
191
11/02/20 at 8:38PM UTC
I'm sure it's been covered but I think, same as the folks who fled the White House during this administration, if all the good people leave, the bad ones have no oversight, and the victims have zero compadres or people who can be witnesses when it comes to court proceedings. There may be more good you can do for both yourself and other victims in the company by staying, reminding the perpetrators that you're watching, and being supportive in every way that you can. Don't desert the ship unless it's in YOUR best interests.
Sacha Seraydarian
131
11/02/20 at 6:19PM UTC
Hello Amy-
I am sorry to hear that a colleague of yours was fired after being sexual harassed. Unfortunately, it is the norm for victims to be pushed out of companies.
From what you have wrote, the organization has violated a value that you hold-I believe it is very important to pay attention to that.
When an HR team member does an investigation, a lot of the times it comes down to "he said/she said" information vs. documented moments(most people who are being abused don't know and/or so exhausted/scared that they don't document what is happening). During an investigation an HR team member may interview other colleagues, with little to no information surfacing; people become very scared and often don't speak-up.
My recommendation would be: 1. Talk to an employment lawyer(I understand you were not harassed), it is important to understand the law on sexual harassment . 2. Document harassment that you have a 1st hand account of and/or when a colleague comes to you. Keep a note book and write down the date, time, people involved and detailed context. 3. Look for a new job, if this is a possibility. 4. I would NOT share with any colleagues that you are looking for a new role(if you decide this), that you talked to a lawyer or are documenting anything. 5. Once you leave the organization post an anonymous review on a platform like Glassdoor(if you are comfortable) and provide your feedback during an exit interview(if you are comfortable). 6. You must take care of yourself first.
Here is an organization that supports women where you may find additional information to help you navigate. https://timesupnow.org/about/
Take care of yourself!
Corrinne ConnollyOperations Leader and Project Manager in Boston
82
11/02/20 at 5:34PM UTC
This happened to me and I decided to leave the company on my own fruition when they did nothing about the man I reported (except lipservice). He's currently still employed there 3 years after I left. In this market, I do recommend getting something shored up before you head out because it is seriously tough out there right now. But I don't advocate staying at an org that treats people like this. There are good companies out there who won't tolerate this crap. You deserve to be there.
Orlagh CostelloEngineering Manager for food manufacturing site
1.2k
11/02/20 at 2:29PM UTC
I'd start looking for another job but not quit until you're ready. It's not worth it when there are places out there that don't allow abusers to continue employment. In the mean time, if you have the emotional energy, you could offer support to the victim in whatever way you can. But yeah... it's hard to stay working someplace where you know there's so little respect for people.
Heather ScofieldGets things DONE.
191
11/02/20 at 1:47PM UTC
He won't be fired now or ever. And you may now have a target on your back because you complained. Keep your head down, and meet all expectations of your position while you seek a job with another company that has higher standards for its workforce.
Rachael WonderlinBusiness Owner
218
11/01/20 at 9:02PM UTC
I watched a coworker at a car dealership get harassed (on a few occasions) by a creep we worked with. She felt embarrassed and didn't want to report it. I asked her, "What would you do if this was one of your daughters he was speaking to in this manner?" "Oh, I'd kill him, are you kidding?" she replied without hesitation. "That's right. That's why we need to report it," I replied. I went with her to vouch for her and report it. He DID get fired and others were really thankful for it—even the other men there didn't like him! I was eventually terminated and I don't doubt that it had something to do with my whistle-blowing...but I wouldn't change my behavior for the world.
Blank
32
11/01/20 at 11:21PM UTC
Oh he won’t get fired. I work for a very small company. He is best buddies with the GM.
I reported it to my boss who is also HR. They said they didn’t have any concrete evidence. Nice huh? People wonder why victims stay quiet. I hope her attorney nails all of them to the wall.
I worked in the car dealership business for 15 years and it was a walk in the park compared to this place.
Rachael WonderlinBusiness Owner
218
11/04/20 at 3:12PM UTC
He actually did get fired! This was about 9 years ago.
Keisha Jones
217
11/01/20 at 6:14PM UTC
Hi Amy,
I agree with LuAnn. Try to collect ANY evidence that you can that can help support your case. Also, as one of the other poster's stated, I would see if I could be transferred to another department within the company that could use your expertise. Does your employee handbook have anything in writing regarding sexual harassment? Was training provided to the employees regarding sexual harassment?
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.