Sexual Harassment: Case Studies
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Sexual harassment inn the workplace can take many forms, and it can sometimes be hard to know whether what you are experiencing crosses the line into unlawful harassment.
Below are a few of the many examples of people we have helped with workplace harassment problems. Every person's story is a little different, but there are lessons to be learned from people who have gone through similar situations. |
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Sexual Harassment of a Restaurant Worker
Anna worked at a restaurant that was part of a national chain.
Almost immediately after she met her manager, he began sexually harassing her. On the first day, he asked for her phone number. On the second day, he researched her home address and began talking to her about how close he lived to her. In the following weeks, he would repeatedly rub her shoulders, touch her waist, approach her when she was alone in the employee coat room, and on two occasions groped her inner thigh. He also asked personal and probing questions about what she did outside of work.
After she reported him, the manager pulled her into his office, locked the door, and threatened her with her job if she continued to complain about his behavior. Read more here.
Almost immediately after she met her manager, he began sexually harassing her. On the first day, he asked for her phone number. On the second day, he researched her home address and began talking to her about how close he lived to her. In the following weeks, he would repeatedly rub her shoulders, touch her waist, approach her when she was alone in the employee coat room, and on two occasions groped her inner thigh. He also asked personal and probing questions about what she did outside of work.
After she reported him, the manager pulled her into his office, locked the door, and threatened her with her job if she continued to complain about his behavior. Read more here.
Sexual Harassment and Assault by Dentist
Amy worked as an assistant in a small dentist's office. Her immediate boss was the dentist who owned the practice. Shortly after she was hired, the dentist began making sexual advances.
After a while, she allowed herself to be coerced into a sexual relationship with him, in part for fear of losing her job.
After several years of living with this uncomfortable situation, Amy tried to break off the sexual relationship, but he continued to proposition her and pressure her to engage in intimate acts. He also told her that she should look for another job.
Finally, he came to her house one evening. She asked him to leave, but he would not. She then went to sleep, having taken several medications prescribed for her ongoing anxiety and distress. While she was in a heavy and heavily medicated sleep, he engaged in sexual intercourse with her, which he told her about the next morning. Read more here.
After a while, she allowed herself to be coerced into a sexual relationship with him, in part for fear of losing her job.
After several years of living with this uncomfortable situation, Amy tried to break off the sexual relationship, but he continued to proposition her and pressure her to engage in intimate acts. He also told her that she should look for another job.
Finally, he came to her house one evening. She asked him to leave, but he would not. She then went to sleep, having taken several medications prescribed for her ongoing anxiety and distress. While she was in a heavy and heavily medicated sleep, he engaged in sexual intercourse with her, which he told her about the next morning. Read more here.
Pervasive Sexual Harassment in Consulting Company
Sarah worked for a company that provided research and consulting services to insurance companies. From the beginning of her employment she was subject to multiple harassing comments by co-workers and supervisors.
These included one individual describing to her how he had masturbated to calm down after an auto accident. Another individual told her that he treated women like canoes, and "tied them up and let them float" until he was ready to "take them for a spin." She was told by another co-worker that he would help her with a work project only if he would get a "happy ending."
When she reported this to her immediate supervisor, she was told that she was "asking for it." Read more here.
These included one individual describing to her how he had masturbated to calm down after an auto accident. Another individual told her that he treated women like canoes, and "tied them up and let them float" until he was ready to "take them for a spin." She was told by another co-worker that he would help her with a work project only if he would get a "happy ending."
When she reported this to her immediate supervisor, she was told that she was "asking for it." Read more here.
Sexual Harassment by Zoom
Donna began working at a pharmaceutical company shortly before the pandemic. From the start of her employment, she was subjected to comments from her supervisor about how she looked and about her clothing.
When everyone started working remotely at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, Donna thought she might get some distance from these uncomfortable conversations. Instead, her supervisor insisted that she keep her camera on during zoom calls, despite the fact that she had to participate in these calls from her bedroom. He started making comments about her bedroom on zoom calls, specifically that her bed was "inviting." Read more here.
When everyone started working remotely at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, Donna thought she might get some distance from these uncomfortable conversations. Instead, her supervisor insisted that she keep her camera on during zoom calls, despite the fact that she had to participate in these calls from her bedroom. He started making comments about her bedroom on zoom calls, specifically that her bed was "inviting." Read more here.
Sexual Harassment of a Church Employee
Alice worked for a church as a cook and assistant custodian. After repeated interference with her cleaning duties by the pastor, who seemed to doubt her ability to do certain tasks because of her gender, a second cleaning person was hired.
This individual had several very uncomfortable conversations with Alice about the "sins of the flesh," and at one point tried to convince her to go into a closed area with him.
Alice refused this overture, and reported the incident and the conversations to the pastor, who told her to "brush it off."
She then took her complaint to the larger church organization. At that point, the pastor became visibly angry with her, and placed her on unpaid leave while the church was investigating the situation. The individual who had harassed her was allowed to continue working. Read more here.
This individual had several very uncomfortable conversations with Alice about the "sins of the flesh," and at one point tried to convince her to go into a closed area with him.
Alice refused this overture, and reported the incident and the conversations to the pastor, who told her to "brush it off."
She then took her complaint to the larger church organization. At that point, the pastor became visibly angry with her, and placed her on unpaid leave while the church was investigating the situation. The individual who had harassed her was allowed to continue working. Read more here.
Sexual Harassment in a Residential Care Facility
Grace worked in a residential care facility that served adults with developmental disabilities. Her job involved assisting residents with their activities of daily living and other needs, and were often performed in the residents' private rooms.
At some point during her employment, Grace was transferred to a different part of the facility, where she had to work alongside of a male co-worker named John. From the beginning of her new assignment, John made repeated sexual comments toward her, including interjecting when she offered assistance to a resident, saying "why don't you give me a shower" or "why don't you put me to bed." On another occasion he teased her about how she should take a plumbing course so she could learn to "lay pipe," and made other sexually suggestive comments to her in the hallways.
After she reported this behavior, her manager insisted on meeting both her and John together in a private apartment, then left them to work alone together for the rest of the shift, despite John's obvious anger toward Grace in the meeting. Read more here.
At some point during her employment, Grace was transferred to a different part of the facility, where she had to work alongside of a male co-worker named John. From the beginning of her new assignment, John made repeated sexual comments toward her, including interjecting when she offered assistance to a resident, saying "why don't you give me a shower" or "why don't you put me to bed." On another occasion he teased her about how she should take a plumbing course so she could learn to "lay pipe," and made other sexually suggestive comments to her in the hallways.
After she reported this behavior, her manager insisted on meeting both her and John together in a private apartment, then left them to work alone together for the rest of the shift, despite John's obvious anger toward Grace in the meeting. Read more here.
How Our Employment Lawyers Can Help
If you feel that you are the target of sexual behavior, misconduct or harassment, we can help. We will help you assess the situation, understand your rights and obligations, and make a plan to solve the problem. You can use the button below to schedule a call back from a member of our team, or give us a call at 781-784-2322.
