Workplace Conflict how to Deal with Inappropriate Advances from a Boss
One has to face many difficult problems at work. One of the most difficult situation anyone ever has to face is inappropriate advances from the Boss. Workers face enough challenges in the workplace without having to deal with this misuse of power by someone in authority over them. It can happen to anyone, of either sex, at any time.
Tell your boss straight away, very plainly that this attention is unwanted and unwelcome and you are not interested. You do not have to suffer this kind of attention just because he is the boss. That might well be an end to the matter.
Some bosses try it on and if you are assertive, it is enough to bring them to their senses. Here is a scenario of an actual incident of sexual harassment:
M was a young temporary telephonist working an assignment at a small company. Part of the job she was doing involved going into a room that was full of large frames of shelves where the files were stored in boxes. One of the senior partners of the company cornered M between the last rack and the wall. M told him calmly to take his hands off her or she would scream. She then told him that she was not interested and if anything like this incident occurred again, she would report it to the agency for which she worked (which meant the company would have been blacklisted). He apologized and left the room. M worked there many times after the incident and that situation never recurred.
Make a note of the time, the date, the circumstances and the events of the incident and any witnesses. If there are any witnesses, they should also write a short statement as to what they saw. The boss may be a serial and constant offender in which case colleagues should band together and log reports of any incidents that occur. You will need this log in order to prove sexual harassment or bullying.
Most countries have laws against sexual harassment and such behavior is illegal. Most workplaces also have a policy and a procedure for cases of sexual harassment. If your workplace does not have a sexual harassment policy and procedure, this type of behavior may come under the Bullying policy. If you belong to a union, contact your union representative, in your union branch there will be a branch officer who has the experience and specialist knowledge to help you bring this matter to the attention of the authorities in your workplace. It maybe the Union branch Equalities Officer or it could be the Branch Health and Safety Officer.
If you do not belong to a union, go and report the matter to Human Resources, they have a duty to investigate the matter. Take any written evidence with you but not before you have copied it, you need to keep a copy for your own records.
If your complaint is not resolved satisfactorily at your workplace, you make need to consult a lawyer. If you are a Union member your union will help you with a lawyer. In the United kingdom, the Citizen's Advice Bureau may be able to help you.
A boss who makes inappropriate advances to his staff is a bully. As with most bullies, often your initial reaction to the advance is important to bring him to his senses or frighten him off.
