Sexual Harassment in a Residential Care Facility
Overcoming Sexual Harassment in a Residential Care Facility
Grace was dedicated to her work at a residential care facility serving adults with developmental disabilities. Her job involved assisting residents with their daily needs, often in the privacy of their rooms. However, her commitment to her job was put to the test when she encountered a disturbing situation.
After a transfer to a different part of the facility, Grace found herself working alongside a male co-worker named John. From the outset of her new assignment, John subjected her to a barrage of sexually suggestive comments. He would interrupt her while assisting residents, making inappropriate remarks like, "why don't you give me a shower" or "why don't you put me to bed." On another occasion, he joked about her taking a plumbing course to "lay pipe" while making lewd comments in the hallways. Disturbed and offended by John's behavior, Grace had the courage to report the harassment to her manager. However, instead of addressing the issue properly, her manager arranged a meeting between Grace and John in a private apartment, leaving them to work together for the rest of the shift. This meeting only fueled John's anger towards Grace. Despite Grace's complaint, the alleged investigation into the harassment was still not completed after six long months. During this time, Grace started receiving disciplinary warnings and threats of termination for minor infractions. The stress, coupled with the ongoing harassment and retaliation, took a toll on her mental health. Grace began experiencing severe anxiety and panic attacks, which eventually led to an extended medical leave before she made the difficult decision to resign. Solution Grace turned to us for help, and we assisted her in filing a formal complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination ("MCAD"). Later, we withdrew this complaint to file a civil lawsuit. Through written discovery that supported Grace's account of the events, we successfully negotiated a settlement payment that compensated her for her job loss and the emotional distress she endured. Postscript If you ever find yourself in a situation like Grace's, remember that you have the right to report harassment without fear of retaliation. You should never be forced to confront your harasser directly during an investigation. It's crucial to connect with an experienced employment attorney early in the process to understand your rights and explore your options. Don't suffer in silence; take action to protect your well-being and your rights. |
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Our experienced legal team can provide support and guidance if you've faced sexual harassment in your workplace, just like Grace did. 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.
