05.21.09
Posted in Comments, This Month's Major Topics at 9:55 pm by normarae2008
The folks behind the website nojobisworththis.comhave been busy producing several videos in the fight against workplace harassment and bullying. I encourage our readers to visit their site to view all of their videos and get involved in their fight to put an end to workplace harassment. They have an active campaign to encourage Congress to sign new laws into effect to support employees and fight abuse in the workplace.
Visit their website and take a few moments to view their videos and get involved. You can also find Beverly Peterson’s videos (she produced the documentaries) on Youtube. I ran one of her videos for a few weeks and will be running another beginning tomorrow. nojobisworththis is a thoughtful organization with a meaningful purpose and a strong commitment to making a powerful difference on the fight against abuse.
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Posted in Comments at 8:57 pm by normarae2008
03.03.09Reflections About A Young Reader
Posted in Resources at 7:24 pm by normarae2008
I received an e-mail from a young reader last night. I’ll protect her confidentiality and not mention her name, but her story is an important one. She’s a teenager, and met a man on the internet who began saying and doing things that made her uncomfortable. While looking for guidance she found my website, and wrote me an email.
I gave her some immediate advice — talk to her parents, inform her school authorities, and contact the police. She also shut down all internet contact with the man, and said she was going to notify the proper authorities about the incident. Her e-mail to me took courage, and her experience is a further sign that we have to be careful in all of our dealings on the internet. We never know who we are communicating with.
Teenagers: you shouldn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed if someone tries to take advantage of you — it’s not your fault. But listen to your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, or sound right, report your experience to your parents, or your clergy, school or police. And pay attention to those school safety assemblies, because they offer up great tips on internet safety and security.
I checked in on my young reader today to see how she’s doing, and to make sure she’s reported her experience to the proper authorities. Thanks to her courageous steps, hopefully she’ll help stop one bad guy from stalking young women.
To all young readers, and to everyone using the internet, be smart users. It’s a wonderful tool, but be mindful of your safety at all times. If you have similar experiences you’d like to share, or if you have questions about this topic, please write to me. Thanks.
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Posted in Comments at 8:54 pm by normarae2008
2 Comments »
dierdref said,
April 10, 2009 at 5:43 am · Edit
I have worked for a commercial landscaping company now for 6 months, as of 04/13/09. The Senior Field Supervisor has made lewd comments to me, stroked my hair, put his hand under my top, and has asked me to be alone with him in certain areas of the company property. There was another female employee, who had reported inappropriate behavior, primarily against a different employee with whom she worked in the field, but also made comment about the Senior Field Supervisor I am referring to. She was terminated shortly after, under the guise of her unwillingness to sign the company’s Arbitration Agreement. Not all signed this under “the gun” as she was pressured to. Prior to her firing, the owner and acting HR person, at the time, were overheard saying that she needed to be fired because she was a “problem starter” and that this would be done by cutting back her hours and forcing her out. There is a prevasive culture dictating a necessity to get along with three people at this organization in order to sustain one’s employment, and the Senior Field Supervisor is one of the three. I am more than concerned about reporting any kind of complaint, as I need this job/income and though I have been actively job hunting ever since the incidents first started, I have not been contacted for a single other job opportunity.
normarae2008 said,
April 17, 2009 at 4:53 pm · Edit
Thank you for writing to me. I apologize for not responding to you sooner but I was tied up on another project for a few days. Your message has gotten my full attention, however. I’ll try to give you some information that might be helpful, based on 28 years of practicing as a Human Resources executive. I’m not a lawyer and I can’t give you legal advice, but I can give you some basic information that might answer some of your questions and help you sort out the situation you find yourself in.
First of all, unlawful harassment is a form of discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other federal authority. Unwelcome verbal or physical conduct based on race, color, religion, sex, (whether or not of a sexual nature and including same-gender harassment and gender identity harassment) national origin, age (40 and over) disability (physical or mental), sexual orientation, or retaliation constitutes harassment when: the conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create a hostile work environment; or a supervisor’s harassing conduct results in a tangible change in an employee’s employment status or benefits (such as demotion, termination, failure to promote, etc).
Examples of actions that create a sexual hostile work environment include leering, making offensive remarks about looks, clothing or body parts, touching in a way that makes an employee feel uncomfortable such as patting, pinching, or intentional brushing up against another’s body. Telling sexual or lewd jokes, making sexual gestures or hanging sexual posters, or sending sexually soliciting letters, notes, emails or other images.
Judging by your message, your Senior Field Supervisor may be guilty of inappropriate conduct that could be unlawful with respect to workplace harassment. Further, employers cannot retaliate against employees for bringing complaints forward about potential unlawful conduct by coworkers. If this is in fact occurring, and you cannot approach your employer without fear of retaliation, you have other avenues you may pursue. It’s important that you know that no one should tolerate workplace harassment of any type or form. I respect that you need your job, but you should not have to pay a painful price to keep it. You can always consult a local labor attorney who specializes in sexual harassment, or you can contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. You can find the EEOC on the internet. I understand that we’re living in tough economic times, but some lawyers will take on a case on not seek compensation until the case settles.
Your allegations are quite serious and should be taken up with the proper authorities. Time is of the essence. I encourage you to record carefully all of the incidents that have occurred by date and time, including as much accurate information as you can recall. Please refer to my blog on Record Keeping. You, the previous woman terminated and any other individuals harassed by The Senior Field Supervisor may have a legitimate claim against this individual. I can’t say whether or not your claim will prevail, but these types of behaviors are the reasons why Title VII and unlawful harassment laws were written in the first place. To prevent women like you and me from suffering unlawful treatment in the workplace, and to ensure that the workplace is just that — a place where we can work and be productive and enjoy welcome relationships with our coworkers.
I wish you luck with your case. Please write back to me and let me know what you plan on doing to resolve your matter. I wish you luck, patience, and perseverance. Don’t let anyone take your civil rights away from you. Ever.
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