I feel unsafe and unsupported

[jdstga]

I have a male coworker who is intimidating me, who is violating my personal space and when I ask him to move he tells me nobody's doing anything to me.

This is not the first instance of I've had with this man, I've tried to take it to my boss and I'm told that that's just the way he is and not to take offense.

I feel threatened and unsafe in my work environment.

I have attempted to move to other roles within my department to limit my contact with this man

In the past four shifts that I have worked with him twice he has effectively pinned me in a corner while I was on the phone with a patient standing so close to the back of my chair that his clothing was touching my body I had no chance to escape

When I asked him to move back he refuses tells me he's not doing anything and I need to relax.

He reads over my head, accessing patient information that doesn't pertain to him and violating patient's rights.

I asked my manager for help and she told me that I'm destroying morale in the department.

I have made every effort to limit my contact with this man, I work different shifts if I can, I volunteer for other departments, but nearly every time we work together he acts aggressively or he demeans me, he picks fights, he stands over my shoulder, he won't leave me alone.

I'm afraid I'm going to lose my job. I'm an LPN currently in school for my RN I have 1 year left and can't afford to lose my job.

What can I do without being labeled as trouble? I fear retaliation.

[Katillac, RN]

9 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

I like the phrase 'facilitating a hostile work environment'.

Did anybody else comment to contact Corporate (if there is a Corporate)?

But what's to say that the HR/Corp person isn't just as much a worthless or useless step in the process? They could just be as into the 'see no evil, hear no evil, ... , MYOB mindset group with the facility.

Possible that HR or corp ignores it, of course. That happens sometimes, especially in smaller companies. But if the employee then complains to the EEOC (federal) and they investigate and find the complaint founded, the company can get pounded with big fines. No company wants the EEOC sniffing around.

The employee can also sue the employer in some states, and most employment law firms will take a case that has merit (and this one does) on contingency, taking their fee out of whatever settlement is won.

[amoLucia]

Katillac - good answer.

OMG - am watching Family Feud rerun. They all answer 'good answer' too. Just commenting as 'good answer' is my response to your post. ?

[crazin01]

sounds like a classic jerk. I wonder if he's done this/is doing with anybody else? I certainly hope HR addresses this quickly & appropriately, but if there is another employee being harassed they may be more motivated to address it.

Please let us know what happens & best of luck.

[FlorentineRN]

It is an EEOC complaint for sexual harassment. You have to tell the offender that the behavior is unwanted. Then ask who is the facility EEOC officer. If they stone wall you you, make a complaint to the federal EEOC. Keep good records.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Contact Human Resources right away.