Male coworkers harrassing female staff... - page 2

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Hi ya'll! I have a problem... My male coworkers are like a pack of wolves. One member of the pack was recently fired due to his terrible attitude. OK. So that's one down and two to go! I have... Read More

  1. by Stitchie
    Apr 17, '04
    Occupation: RN, ED Joined: Oct '03; Posts: 735; Likes: 75
    In addition to the good advice on this board, just want to add my 0.02 cents.

    The next time 'Handy-man' places digits on, about, or within 10 feet of your person in any way that makes you uncomfortable, call 911. Have him arrested.

    Then tell your manager, HR, CEO of the hospital these words in no particular order: 'Lawyer' 'Lawsuit' 'State Board of Labor' 'Judgment' 'Arrested' 'Documentation'

    ...and then laugh as 'handy-man' is led away in 'handy-cuffs' and is hopefully fired.

    But leave your husband out of it. It's your battle to fight.

    Good luck.
  2. by Heartattaq
    Apr 18, '04
    Joined: Jan '04; Posts: 41; Likes: 2
    Take it directly to human resources and demand something be done.

    alot of great advice has been handed on this thread I suggest very strongly that you take some of it, and go to them ASAP. he may be putting his hands around your waist right now, but please do not let it get past that point. You may think that he would never take it further, but just when you atrt to think that is when it happens.

    Take care of yourself and your well being, you do not deserve that treament nor asked for it.

    And ifall else fails and noone will listen to you, next time he tries to touch you kick him in the junk.







    (please take the last comment tongue in cheek) but please follow this matter ASAP
  3. by Sgt_Chunk_Spelunker
    Apr 18, '04
    Occupation: LPN Joined: Apr '04; Posts: 30
    I've complained to my manager about this already...and nothing was done. Most likely scenario: I'll move on to another job. I wish we had a HR dept. Our facility is this company's bastard child. Corporate only visits us right before state surveys...or if the building burns to the ground. I'm going up the chain of command. I'm considering other job opportunities...
  4. by prmenrs
    Apr 18, '04
    Occupation: Re-retired Specialty: 42 year(s) of experience in NICU, Infection Control ; From: CA, US ; Joined: Dec '00; Posts: 12,419; Likes: 3,760
    You have no Security? I'd inform the manager that this is a prosecutable offense; report it to the police.

    Do NOT send the letter. Go to the police or security.
  5. by orrnlori
    Apr 18, '04
    Occupation: OR Nurse Joined: Feb '04; Posts: 565; Likes: 11
    I also agree, leave your husband out of it and don't give the letter. Take it where it needs to go.
  6. by Tweety
    Apr 18, '04
    Joined: Oct '02; Posts: 60,384; Likes: 16,559
    All you have to do is to tell your human resources department you are going to sue for sexual harrasment since it is still going on after being reported to management and that you are calling the police and the newspapers.

    Sit back at watch the show.
    Last edit by Tweety on Apr 18, '04
  7. by KMSRN
    Apr 18, '04
    Occupation: RN - oncology and palliative care Joined: Jun '00; Posts: 134; Likes: 4
    the biggest problem in my mind is not the sexual harrassment (although that is an issue). i think this guy is potentially dangerous. if your manager or hr won't follow up, i agree with calling the police - he can't put his hands on you! also consider a lawyer - it will cost you some money but your personal safety and career are worth it.
  8. by mattsmom81
    Apr 18, '04
    Joined: Jan '02; Posts: 5,673; Likes: 159
    Reading your post made me cringecuz I soooo hate working anywhere where the employees need to have their hands on each other...it just makes me cringe...all this violation of personal space. I've worked places where everybody is constantly giving each other backrubs, etc and they like to make you feel like a prude if you say no to it. To me this is the kind of environment that is ripe for harassment and lawsuits, makes me very uncomfortable, and I try real hard to stay away from them.

    Good luck and I don't blame you for thinking hard about quitting. If its the culture of the place you may end up the bad guy....
  9. by SirJohnny
    Apr 18, '04
    Occupation: Registered Nurse Specialty: 8 year(s) of experience in LTC & Private Duty Pediatrics ; From: US ; Joined: Jan '03; Posts: 399; Likes: 127
    Sgt_Chunk_Spelunker:

    - First, NO LETTER ... NO EXCEPTIONS.

    - Second, GO TO HUMAN RESOURCES (on their time), and file a formal,
    written complaint. Just mentioning the word "sexual harrassment" will
    send a shiver of fear down management's spine.

    - Third, you want a definite plan of action (written) from the H.R. team
    by close of business.

    - Fourth, if no plan of action (meaning - no meetings set up - nothing
    done), then get an attorney. Won't cost a dime.

    - Company cannot (in USA) retaliate against you. If they do, bingo!!!, cuz
    you just won the legal lottery.

    - Enjoy!!!

    John Coxey
    Evansville, Indiana
  10. by imenid37
    Apr 18, '04
    Joined: Mar '02; Posts: 1,843; Likes: 1,237
    Are these guys RN's or LPN's? Report them to the BON as well as your manager, compan higher ups, etc. Imagine if they felt they could grope a patient. Also mention that the company is liable for not protecting you and go talk to a lawyer. I hate to see frivilous lawsuits, but if you have repeatedly c/o'd about these guys and there has been no action taken, then you may be entitled to some kind of $. This company is living in some kind of retro fantasy world if they think women in 2004 will put up w/ this crap. Occasional dirty jokes, kidding, etc. are one thing, but this is just awful.
  11. by SirJohnny
    Apr 18, '04
    Occupation: Registered Nurse Specialty: 8 year(s) of experience in LTC & Private Duty Pediatrics ; From: US ; Joined: Jan '03; Posts: 399; Likes: 127
    Sgt_Chunk_Spelunker:

    - I just read the entire thread...here goes.

    - If in USA, your facility MUST have a written sexual harrassment
    policy. If they do not, it's grounds for instant sexual harrassment
    lawsuit.

    - If you went to management, and documented that you did, and also
    have some form of written documentation back from management that
    they did nothing --- again lawsuit time.

    - Any of your female co-workers getting harrassed -- bingo!!! -- lawsuit
    time.

    ------

    - I currently work in the computer industry (software), and companies in
    our field (American General Finance, Hewlett-Packard, Lucent, etc.) take
    the sexual harrassment issue seriously. Mainly due to the threat of
    legal action by employees.

    We watch a video or two and attend a mandatory seminar (1 or 2 hrs long)
    every year on this subject. I work (ed) for the companies mentioned
    above, and can tell you that they would not stand for the actions of the
    gentleman you are describing.

    --------

    - Regarding bringing your husband into the foray. Nope, Nada, Don't Do.

    - You can take Hubby to lawyers office. But taking him to work -- now he
    becomes part of the legal action if it get's that far.

    ----------

    - If you quit and runaway from the situation, then your perpetrator
    has won. And seriously, you shouldn't let this happen.

    - Good luck and let us know what happens.

    John Coxey
  12. by FROGGYLEGS
    Apr 18, '04
    Occupation: hmm...this is allnurses. Joined: Apr '03; Posts: 453; Likes: 22
    Quote from Sgt_Chunk_Spelunker
    I've complained to my manager about this already...and nothing was done. Most likely scenario: I'll move on to another job. I wish we had a HR dept. Our facility is this company's bastard child. Corporate only visits us right before state surveys...or if the building burns to the ground. I'm going up the chain of command. I'm considering other job opportunities...

    You don't have a HR dept?

    I agree that the letter is a bad idea. Your written words could easily be manipulated into implying something you did not intend and I agree that it could be seen as a threat from your husband.

    I would make sure it was crystal clear to this guy that I didn't want him anywhere near me. Report it to your supervisor and then to their supervisors. Take it to corporate if need be. If he touched me again, I'd file a complaint with the police.

    Sexual harassment is not taken lightly anymore. Even if this is a po-dunk facility, I'm still sure they have some type of harassment policy. You may very well need to find a different job if this sort of thing is allowed. Even if that is what you choose to do, I wouldn't just let this matter slide.

    You can probably find a lawyer that would love to go after them on a contingency basis. (I believe that is what it is called when you don't have to pay the fee unless you win a settlement.)
    Last edit by FROGGYLEGS on Apr 18, '04
  13. by Rustyhammer
    Apr 18, '04
    Occupation: Retired Joined: Jul '01; Posts: 4,288; Likes: 31
    Hmm...I don't know. I come from the old school I guess and if this were happening to my wife I'd have already kicked his you know what.
    You can call the cops but cops aren't really dependable now are they.
    I say have hubby waiting for him in the parking lot to teach him some manners.
    -Russell (with flame retardant suit on)

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