How do you defend yourself against harassment from another employee?

It is not that easy by just quitting and moves on after developing all of these healthcare, 401k, vacation days, etc....benefits; however, if one do this-quitting- proves that harassment is ok at work. One needs to stand up for his/her rights and stops the bully - harasser at all times.

I am in your shoes. I feel your pains.

Yes, upper level always blamed you for it like "you better put your act together or else", and "better behave yourself", and "your faults" and "you did not get along with others", etc... I found it disturbing

I followed the employee handbook. I tried to be impartial and respected others. I stayed away from gossipping, and cliques and negative sayings. Each day, I came to work. I performed my tasks. I went home.

But not enough for them...employees harassed me constantly (I have to say constantly because it was true, one harassment each week by different employee. Honestly, I couldn't live my life like this. I couldn't work like this. Worked and lived in fear).

I reported incidents and followed chain of commands- to direct supervisor to HR to plant manager. But nothing happened. The head/plant manager at this particular site; he refused to correct these problems (hostile working environment, harassment, bully-employees, etc...) he blamed me for it, instead. "....nobody likes you here. You don't fit in. You better put your acts together or else..." Two days later, HR fired me (on separation discharge paper they claimed "disturbing influence"; I still don't understand what it means, but had never been found by Unemployment Insurance Agency).

I consulted a lawyer, paid $1500; but the retaining fee ran out quickly, and I am now no job and no money; as a result, I can't afford to pay him more. Dead end.

After all of these things happened to me, frankly and oftentimes, I feel being a "BAD PERSON" one can get away with lot of things than being "GOOD". Frequently, I ask myself Where is the justice? and most of all Where is God?

Regarding evidence, I recommend that you

(1) write everything down in your journal and date it.

(2) Everything. I mean everything to minute details.

(3) do not need to be grammar/structure perfect.

(4) who/where/when/how/why

(5) report incidents to EEOC at your local/state (tell them you don't want your name on the documents); EEOC will launch an investigation and lead to prevent this happen to you and future employees.

(6) if company knew you reported through employees, and fires you. It considers "retaliation". EEOC is on your side. However, the process takes years in order to recuperate your means.

I wish you best.

W.

First of all, what you may hear on the gossip train may not be the whole story. Where I work, there is a similar, not the same, situation. The thing is that there is more, a lot more, than what is being said among employees. Obviously, the person in my place is denying anything, but his history and reputation tells another story. In your situation, since your guy is foreign and you seem to know him, although it may be innocent, some people do not take kindly to any type of physical contact. If an investigation through the company has started, they will find the truth. If it goes far enough, tell your guy to speak to an attorney or if you have a union, his representative. If you are not directly involved, stay out of it. Otherwise you will be dragged into it also. Don't talk to anyone about it, and if people ask, don't answer.

Write down as much information you can such as what,why, how,when,who,and where. Do this in private but as soon as it happens (you can go to the restroom to do this). Also tell this employee how you feel, first privately then if nothing good happens repeat it in front of others. Then talk to your supervisor and if nothing happens go to next higher management. If there are no results go to Equal Employment Commission and file your complaint with your notes ready

Call a lawyer. They often give free advise before taking on the case. Be sure to keep written accounts/records of the things said and incidents by all parties involved.

Go to Human Resources and stop trying to work it out with your managers. They are keeping her for whatever reason. Now you have to go over their heads and speak to an HR rep and get this taken care of. Or find another job. This isn't how it's supposed to be.

Document all interactions and incidents. Even if you have a conversation with your boss, follow up with an EMAIL. MAINTAIN A PAPER TRAIL (aka, evidence)

When you contact your HR people, use the KEY BUZZ WORDS....

"Harrassment"

"Hostile Work Environment"

"I feel threatened"

"LAWYER"

You'll get results.... aim for the pocketbook and have LOTS of documented incidents.

The easiest way Veronica is to get another job.

If you have an attorney you may want to discuss this with her/him.

You need to gather a list of witnesses to the other employees comments.

Again though, the easiest way out of this mess is to get another job somewhere else where your efforts will be appreciated.

Document everything she says to you and use a tape recorder if possible for proof. If your company won't do anything about her doing this to you then get a lawyer and sue them.

It sounds like a nightmare scenario - very difficult to handle. If "she has started verbally attacking" you would it be possible for you to record her outbursts?

What can you prove?

talk to HR; or jobhunt