ALT-3 Coping with Unsuitable Advances from a Boss
Employees face many problems at work, but the most difficult of all is coping with unsuitable advances from a boss or manager. Bosses, managers and others with authority over workers misuse their power when they do this. In many countries, this behaviour is sexual harassment and is illegal. In addition, most companies’ rules that forbid sexual harassment unfortunately some dinosaurs still believe that they can get away with acting in this despicable manner.
It is as well to be prepared just in case it happens to you. You do not have to endure this harassment from anyone it is irrelevant that he is your superior at work. Tell the perpetrator immediately and bluntly that his attention is unwelcome and you are not interested.
Some bosses try it on, if you are assertive it may be enough to scare him off. E was a young temporary telephonist working an assignment at a small company. The job she was covering involved going into a room where large frames of shelves held boxed files. One of the senior partners of the company cornered B between one shelving rack and a wall. M calmly told him to remove his hands from her or she would scream loudly. She then told him that if anything like this ever occurred again, she would report it to her agency and have the company blacklisted. He apologized and left the room. M worked at the company many times afterwards and it did not recur.
That may or may be the end of the matter, but in case it is not you should note the time, date, location and events of the incident and the names of any witnesses. Any witnesses should also write a brief signed statement of what they saw. If the boss is a constant and serial offender, colleagues should band together and log reports of any incidents. You will need this log as evidence to prove sexual harassment or bullying.
Sexual harassment at work is illegal in many countries Most workplaces have a sexual harassment policy and a procedure. Look up your company’s policies and procedures, sexual harassment may form part of the Bullying policy in your workplace. If you are a union member, contact your union representative and ask to speak to the branch officer, who has the experience and specialist knowledge, to help you raise this matter with the authorities in your workplace. It will be either the Union Branch Equalities Officer or it could be the Branch Health and Safety Officer. In British workplaces, Sexual harassment is part of health and safety and most union representatives will advise even non-members on such matters.
Copy any written evidence, keep one copy for your own records and take the other to Human Resources. Human Resources have a duty to investigate the matter.
If your complaint is not resolved satisfactorily, you may need to consult a lawyer. If you are a union member, the union will help you with a lawyer. In the United Kingdom, the Citizen's Advice Bureau may be able to help and advise you.
A boss, manager or supervisor, who makes unsuitable advances to workers is a bully. With most bullies, your initial reaction to his advance is important to bring him to his senses and frighten him off for good.
