Message #45849

[peacelily54]

I was a victim ( as well as many others, both male and female) of harrassment and sexual harrassment by my boss who was a top-ranking military official and VP of a defense company.  I chose not to stay a victim.  I re-iterated many times to the "gentleman" what was appropriate workplace behavior and what was not in regard to myself and others.   After a year and getting no where with our CEO, I went to headquarters in another city and spoke with their lawyers.  They were appalled and asked what my CEO was doing - which was nothing but listening to me and rubbing his forehead saying, "Oh my God, we can't have this".  It is a long and involved story but to shorten it greatly, it had to be done.  I couldn't live with myself if I didn't fight this battle - it had to stop.  I have a friend who is a states attorney and she helped me with a corporate lawyer.  I did not seek monetary compensation - it was a moral issue for me.  It was wrong and we all deserved to work in a non-hostile environment.  Long story short - he was fired.  I soon left the company for greener pastures but saw a few people at a party about a year later - they thanked me for making their life a bit easier for their last year prior to retirement.  

It still happens in the workplace and I believe we have a responsibility to:
1.  Let the offender know their actions, words are not acceptable.  

2. Document, document, document everything!

3.  If that doesn't stop - go to HR, to Headquarters, and if they won't help, go to EEOC and file a complaint.  That will start the ball rolling.  It won't be fixed overnight - there is a complex and involved investigation process.

It's going to be scary but if you think you can handle it - go for it.  Because this was a defense company, I was screened and interviewed by government defense agencies. So, it was a big deal to them also.  

I've never regretted my decision.