Q. I have been at my company for three years, and I have done well, with only positive reviews. I have a new boss, who hovers over me when I am at my desk and touches my arm and shoulders. He also spends too much time in my office on things that are not work related. He has invited me to lunch several times, which I have done because he is my boss, but it makes me nervous. I want to keep my job. What should I do?
Job Doc
Comments
DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, and for heaven's sake do NOT go out to lunch again! Go to HR FIRST; this guy knows exactly what he is doing. And did I say DOCUMENT!
Valerie Samuels is accurate when she says it is a "difficult situation." Ms. Samuels is being too nice. It could be worse than that.
Sexual harassment and retaliation "may" be unlawful. It depends on many variables, what protections the company wants to offer, how much "juice" human resources has over the perpetrator's conduct and more. If the company wants to defend the managment perpetrator's misconduct, be careful in filing a complaint.
In many cases, if the perpetrator is a high performer and generates big dollars for the company, there may be no incentive to zero in on his misconduct. If that is the case, you may be in for a process that is unimaginable.
Before you have a confidential talk with human resources or file a complaint, check the history of the company's attitude regarding sexual harassment and what they have done in similar situations. Did the volume employee prevail or did the one incumbent "valuable" manager persuade managment that he was the victim of false allegations?
In all cases you need to document what happened, when it happened what was said and any other conduct related to the event.
My suggestion is that you stop going to lunch because it gives the appearance that you are welcoming and encouraging conduct that you find unacceptable. Mixed messages may not fall in your favor.
dougkinan@yahoo.com
Former Director of Human Resources (Retired)