My boss makes slight sexual harassment advancements sometimes. I told him how I felt and he later penalized my work performance!

Question:  My boss constantly steps into the elevator after me, brushes up against me and then tells an offensive, sexually suggestive joke. I’ve told him in extremely polite but clear terms that he needs to stop doing this immediately.

This morning, I found all of my work belongings in a box, on top of a desk in the rather damp basement area where all of the temp workers are sent each day. I went up and confronted my boss. He said he’s been getting complaints about my work and I ought to just “Shut up” and be glad I still have a job. He then told me that my new job would carry a much lower hourly wage. Can anyone help me in this situation?

Response:  You definitely have employee rights in this type of employer retaliation situation. An employer can never punish an employee for refusing to respond to sexually offensive behavior. Since it sounds like there is supervisor discrimination in the workplace going on in your situation, contact a local employment law attorney who can tell you how to try and protect yourself while you pursue all of your legal remedies.

Start searching all of your personal hard copy and email files for proof that your superiors have responded favorably to your recent work. Jot down names in a personal spiral of anyone you think may have witnessed your boss’s bad behavior and might be willing to testify on your behalf during a deposition or in court.

If you do not have a copy of your most recent semi-annual or annual employee performance reviews, request copies and give them to your attorney. Check to see if you have an official copy of all of your recent personal leave, vacation and sick time taken. You deserve to prove that you were a good employee before this abuse began.

Answered by Elizabeth Smith

Additional Resources:

• Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
• Laws Governing Sexual Harassment on the Job
• What Constitutes a Hostile Work Environment

Disclaimer: This site does not provide legal advice and users of this site should not interpret any of the information presented here as legal advice. The information provided merely conveys general information related to commonly asked legal questions. We are not a law firm and the employees responding to questions are not acting as your legal attorney. You should ultimately consult with a Lawyer for your case.