Women Friendly Workplace Campaign Speakout
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Harrassment
I worked in a law firm as the controller for 10 years.
During my 6th year of employment, I was having marital
problems and my boss and I often discussed these and other
personal issues. We had become friends, especially since we
needed to work together often. He started leaving notes of
encouragement on my desk, thoughtful cards, etc. Soon, it
progressed to poems and roses and he declared his love for me. At first, I wasn't sure what to do, but I was at a very
low time on my life and the attention was welcome. I didn't
encourage him, but didn't discourage either.
To make a long story short, I filed for divorce and within a
week, told my boss that I wasn't interested in any type of
relationship with him, that I had too much on my mind and
needed to focus on myself. He said he understood, but it
quickly became apparent that he didn't. He kept pushing me
to talk to him, to kiss him, etc. He even showed up at my
house one day when I called in sick. Every time he pushed
the issue, I told him bluntly to leave me alone.
This continued off and on for a number of years, during
which time I condfided in one of the attorneys. he offered
to file a complaint, but I felt certain I could handle it
alone.
The last straw came about three years later, when he sent me
an e-mail referring to our brief relationship. I printed it
and filed a complaint with it attached. After an
investigation, he was found at fault and essentially was
just given a written warning, but he would still be my
direct supervisor. To say it was awkward would be an
under-statement.
Five months later, I was removed from my window office to
make room for a new position, filled by a male. Two months
following that, i was offered a position elsewhere, but told
out managing partner that I really wanted to stay at the
law firm, but needed some distance from this man. I was
told that could not occur and I left.
I have been gone for two months now and my former boss
constantly asks my former employees for information about
me...who I am dating, etc.
He continues to make twice my salary, plus bonuses, while I
live in the fear that he will one day come after me again!
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