Bit of harassment at work
Discussion
My girlfriends sister started a job in a clothes shop about 3 weeks ago.
Today my girlfriend tells me that over the past few days,the owner of the shop, an older guy, about 60 odd, has been making, in my view, inappropriate comments. Yesterday, she'd misplaced a small item of equipment, and he told her to stay behind after work and look for it, or quote "Ill have to strip search you".He's made a couple of other comments too,and apparently quite often brushes past her quite closely,if you know what I mean. I'm told he also comes out of the toilets,into the room where she's working,and will be talking to her whilst fiddling about doing his fly up.
As an aside,she's in a room that gets a bit cooler,and has a heater in there,that she has on a fair bit of the time to keep warm. He told her today that she will only be allowed to use the heater for an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. I'm pretty sure there are regulations about minimum ambient temperature in a work area?
And finally,she was on lunch break today, on her phone, and he came in,and told her, quite harshly, to get off her phone...she explained she was on lunch,and he said he didn't care,he is the boss.
She was in tears this afternoon when her mum picked her up. She wants to just quit, the moneys crap, and its just an in between job anyway. But she reckons she can't quit,as she won't get the job-seekers allowance for a while or something like that?
So what are the options? She quits,and that's the end of it (for her anyway). Her boyfriend and I go and see the elderly gent and have a good word (I'm not powerfully built FYI),which surely will only end in her getting the sack anyway...Or her try and take him to some sort of employment tribunal (if she can get some proof)?
Apologies for the lengthy post,but its really bothering her,and its pissed me off too!
Today my girlfriend tells me that over the past few days,the owner of the shop, an older guy, about 60 odd, has been making, in my view, inappropriate comments. Yesterday, she'd misplaced a small item of equipment, and he told her to stay behind after work and look for it, or quote "Ill have to strip search you".He's made a couple of other comments too,and apparently quite often brushes past her quite closely,if you know what I mean. I'm told he also comes out of the toilets,into the room where she's working,and will be talking to her whilst fiddling about doing his fly up.
As an aside,she's in a room that gets a bit cooler,and has a heater in there,that she has on a fair bit of the time to keep warm. He told her today that she will only be allowed to use the heater for an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. I'm pretty sure there are regulations about minimum ambient temperature in a work area?
And finally,she was on lunch break today, on her phone, and he came in,and told her, quite harshly, to get off her phone...she explained she was on lunch,and he said he didn't care,he is the boss.
She was in tears this afternoon when her mum picked her up. She wants to just quit, the moneys crap, and its just an in between job anyway. But she reckons she can't quit,as she won't get the job-seekers allowance for a while or something like that?
So what are the options? She quits,and that's the end of it (for her anyway). Her boyfriend and I go and see the elderly gent and have a good word (I'm not powerfully built FYI),which surely will only end in her getting the sack anyway...Or her try and take him to some sort of employment tribunal (if she can get some proof)?
Apologies for the lengthy post,but its really bothering her,and its pissed me off too!
Proof is easy enough - mobile phones can be set to record, and modern ones can easily manage a whole day's worth if they aren't clogged with stuff.
It sounds like there are only the two of them in the shop?
If there isn't anyone around to be an independent witness or any proof then there is little point in getting heavy about it until you do actually have some evidence - it'll be one against the other, and that isn't likely to end quickly or well.
It sounds like there are only the two of them in the shop?
If there isn't anyone around to be an independent witness or any proof then there is little point in getting heavy about it until you do actually have some evidence - it'll be one against the other, and that isn't likely to end quickly or well.
AJS- said:
Playing devil's advocate a minute, it's not nice but hardly what I'd call harassment. More like a stupid attempt at banter - only banter. I suggest she pulls him up on one of his inappropriate comments and tells him to back right off. Probably look for another job too.
It doesnt matter what you call harassment, she is uncomfortable with it and thats enough . She should However as you say point out the behaviour she objects to and ask for it to stop . If it does not then she will have a good case for a harassment claim . Keep a diary and put the request to stop in writing.Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff