Expert: Jack Toomey - 1/5/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question -
If you can't answer this let me know, I am having a hard time figuring it out myself. I had to file sexual harassment against someone that I thoughy was my friend. He is also a co-worker. I had reported it when my other friend (and co-worker)advised it was better to do that then quit. My job is in EMS and it was my dream. The investigation started really quick and went really fast. I was even told that he didn't deny it. Well, that was the last I ever heard. its been maybe 2-3 mo. since anyone has talked to me about it and I haven't been told anything. I dont know what I am supposed to do. I can stay from him but it wont always be easy because if there is a medic run during night and they are paging for available medics, I go, no matter what, because its my job and I live just down the road to the hosp. and am close enough to respond. I am uncomfortable and don't know what to do. I feel like they just dropped it to see if I would too. my friend also believes this. I don't know what my choices are, but I am hurt. If this wouldv'e been any other place, I would have pressed charges, but this is a hospital w/ EMS quarters on the grounds. I am a new medic and he has been here for awhile, if it gets out I am afraid I will be shunned. Any advice. I have thought about just quitting because I recently got a part time job with dispatch and wont be jobless. I am just so angry because I feel let down and unimportant.  Mary
Answer -
Hello Mary,

   I really don't understand what your question is but I can understand your frustrations.  

   First of all "sexual harrassment" is not a crime unless it involves some type of unwanted touching or other sexual crime.  It is common belief that sexual harrassment is a crime but usually it is a civil matter between employees.  Since you didn't mention what happend between you and the other employee I am going go have to conclude that nothing unlawful occurred.

   You say that you haven't heard anything in several months.  Do you know who is conducting the investigation?  Have you asked that person or persons what is happening concerning the investigation?  If there was a crime committed (you didnt say if there was) have you contacted the police and filed charges against this person?  It would be a violation of the law if someone took action against you in return for you filing this sexual harrassment complaint.  

  So without further information my advice to you would be to simply ask your superiors what is happening with your complaint.


Sorry, I guess I should have provided more info. to you. This guy,(my coworker) did grab me. I was sitting in a chair when he came up from behind me. He grabbed at my back and I felt a quick tug, I thought I had something like a hair or tape or something like that. He unsnapped my bra, I was upset and got up to walk out. As I was leaving he offered his "help" to fix my bra. I said "no". He then came grabbed the back of my shirt as I was trying to exit the building, yanked it up (in the back) snapped my bra and and started to bring his hands around to my chest area when I bolted out the door. I admit that when he yanked my shirt up that I froze. I was scared and everything was not making sense to me and I was trying to understand what was happening. I also didn't want to step out the door with my shirt up for fear of a patient, other hosp. employee, or anybody from the general public seeing me. Someone in administration, the CEO I believe is who wrote down my story and initiated an investigation. It was just her and my supervisor and me that were in the room. I have went to my supervisor asking him when 2-3 times asking him what was going on and why no one has contacted me and everytime I go to him he seems shocked that she (CEO) hasn't contacted me yet. He also tells me that she has been "busy" and that he will contact her to remind her to get with me. I haven't filed charges because I am scared. I know that it is illegal for anybody to take action against me but since I am a new employee and he has been here for 10+ years, I know that if I has to file charges, the story will get out and I will be shunned and no one will want to work with me or be my partner. If I wasn't in EMS, I would have done it already and at this point I think the charges would be filed against the hospital. I had a hard time coming forth with my story, a fellow medic who I trusted had to talk me into it because I was just going to quit my job because I was afraid something like this would happen. I am very hurt because of this and I feel like this wasn't important enough or worthy enough for someone took take the time or to simply just care. Thank you for your time, I havent really been able to talk to anyone about how I felt. I guess I will just skip over my supervisor this time and try to get ahold of her directly that way she can't blow me off or put me aside again.  Thanks, mary

Answer
Mary,

    Surely your workplace has a set of guildlines that they must follow when a sexual harrassment complaint is filed.  To ignore a sexual harrssment complaint could get them into a lot of trouble.  The law is on your side.  I realize that you are a new employee but again....if some disciplinary action is taken against you for inquiring or pushing this issue then it is unlawful.  You should check with whoever is investigating this or ask for legal advice outside of the workplace.