1
   

Is it worth going to tribunal for sexual harrasment?

 
 
Anon x
 
Reply Sat 7 Feb, 2015 11:14 am
Hi I work for a digital advertising company and I have recently been going through a grievance at work because my boss has been inappropriate with me a number of times. I am not the first and I fear I won't be the last. To try and sum up as quickly as possible my boss has done the following 1) dared myself and two other females to kiss each other (we declined) 2) invited us back to his home after a works event to continue drinking as his WIFE and son were away (we all declined) 3- during a work dinner he dared me to take off my bra (again, I declined) 4) regularly looks at my figure from behind, usually when I'm walking out the meeting room 5) often pokes my ribs and once even poked my breast over my top because I was wearing a lacost top and the logo was in that area. He walked away laughing and I stood there stunned. 6) inquired about my dating life frequently 7) when I Expressed an interest to transfer to the Australian office his response was ' I'll be pissed off to get a new PA' and then said ' my advise is not to date any Australian guy!! ( he would never say this to a guy employee ... So even with these aforementioned points I didn't report to HR because I felt he would never actually do anything more. How wrong I was. Back in November I was invited to the USA by my company. Obviously this coincided with my boss's trip. As I am his PA I would only be able to go the same time as him. However we traveled seperately ( I made sure of it). I even booked a separate hotel, despite him telling me to stay at the same hotel he was staying at. His hotel was very expensive but I felt uncomfortable staying near him. The further the better was my opinon. Yet this still dis not save me from him. On one of the nights, he had invited me to work drinks. At first I declined but I later accepted because one of the female employees ( who I got on really well with) said she was going and asked me to join. Majority of the night was fine. I didn't even sit near him but an uncontrollable amout of drinks were ordered. admittedly I did loose count but I didn't feel like I was too drunk at first. By the end of the night it was just three of us left (myself, my boss and the female colleague) but at one point she disappeared without saying bye, yet her coat was still there. I think she was gone for about 20-40 mins. When she returned I noticed her grabbing her coat. At that point I got up, he got up but my memory blacks out. I do not remember getting home. I only remember waking up and he was lying in my bed next to me, awake and his arm draped on me with his hand near my breast. I was so scared to see him there. I told him to leave. When he finally got up he was not wearing any trousers!! Wtf . Also he was so calm. Like it was no big deal. I called HR that day and reported the incident. I later gave a statement to the police but I didn't think I had been raped so I didn't go further. . I later requested to see cctv footage of us coming back to hotel. I worried that I might have looked flirty but instead it showed me vomiting and stumbling but he looked coherent. He follows me around, helps check us in and then takes me up to my room. I would be thankful if he got me back safe and left BUT to stay in my bed is totally unacceptable.
So far, during the grievance, the company don't see that there was any sexual intent and no harm was meant. He did get a written warning and has to attend a sexual harrassment course but my request for a transfer to another dept/ office has been rejected. They think I can continue to work as his pa! This is outrageous but I feel trapped because if I take it further this means going to tribunal. My solicitor fees have already ranked up to 7k and tribunal will be 17k in legal fees. I've recently learnt that tribunal will not compensate for these fees and overall compensation for discrimination will not cover this and that's assuming I even win. I have written evidence of him admitting to the incident but claiming he was drunk, also a colleague made a statement confirming the events when he made perogative dares and invited us back to his home. Has anyone been to tribunal before? It seems very stressful and I'm already in such a bad way because the company have been very nasty since I reported it. Do I stop before it gets out of control or do I see it through. Bear in mind my fees to date is 7k and to I totally start tribunal I'm looking at another 2000. The company have refused any settlement with ACAS so tribunal is the next step. They did make a comment about offering 3months pay at the beginning but I rejected the offer at first. Any thoughts, advise welcome. Perhaps it is best to turn the other cheek and find a new job. This has truly been a tough time for me.
  • Topic Stats
  • Top Replies
  • Link to this Topic
Type: Discussion • Score: 1 • Views: 884 • Replies: 3

 
jespah
 
  3  
Reply Sat 7 Feb, 2015 11:19 am
@Anon x,
Why, oh, why, have you not contacted the police about this matter?
Anon x
 
  1  
Reply Sat 7 Feb, 2015 11:21 am
@jespah,
i wasn't sure what the police could do in truth :/
0 Replies
 
carloslebaron
 
  -1  
Reply Tue 17 Feb, 2015 05:49 pm
Just find a friend or hire a big dude who will "talk to him" to leave you alone and that he (your boss) won't take any action against you. Otherwise this "your friend" will visit him again, perhaps not so nice next time.

You can also work by becoming friend with his wife. If he is smart, he might choose for another victim.

Unfortunately, when there is no evidence of sexual contact, you always have nothing for to make a complaint, unless you make a video of his failed sexual attempts towards you.
0 Replies
 
 

Related Topics

 
  1. Forums
  2. » Is it worth going to tribunal for sexual harrasment?
Copyright © 2024 MadLab, LLC :: Terms of Service :: Privacy Policy :: Page generated in 0.03 seconds on 04/25/2024 at 06:11:56