State: NJ
My uncle and I are both managers at our restaurant. We recently terminated an employee, let's call her Jen, for general workplace attitude and tardiness. About a week after her last day, Jen returned with her father. I explained the circumstances of the termination to the father, who seemed to be understanding of the situation at first and made attempts to calm Jen down, who was visibly angry. The entire time my explanation of the situation was calm and kept at a very professional level. Her father and I ended the conversation on a good note and I returned back to the office.
A minute later they were back at my door. Apparently, Jen had just now told her father that during her employment, my uncle had lightly punched her and kicked her (basically made physical contact, but she DID NOT say anything about sexual harrasment). The father now began to threaten me with a lawsuit and talked about pressing charges. I pointed out that it was very interesting to see this story brought to light AFTER her dismissal from our place. At this point I gave up trying to talk sense to them and let them know that I was more than willing to countersue if they pursued legal action.
I am positive that my uncle did not touch her in any inappropriate way, and that she is blowing things up to spite us.
My question is - if she did bring a lawsuit to court, is there a way for us to counter-sue for harrassing us? Would this case be considered as word against word, and if so, how is judgement passed in such cases?
Would really like to hear what everyone thinks of the situation - thanks!
My uncle and I are both managers at our restaurant. We recently terminated an employee, let's call her Jen, for general workplace attitude and tardiness. About a week after her last day, Jen returned with her father. I explained the circumstances of the termination to the father, who seemed to be understanding of the situation at first and made attempts to calm Jen down, who was visibly angry. The entire time my explanation of the situation was calm and kept at a very professional level. Her father and I ended the conversation on a good note and I returned back to the office.
A minute later they were back at my door. Apparently, Jen had just now told her father that during her employment, my uncle had lightly punched her and kicked her (basically made physical contact, but she DID NOT say anything about sexual harrasment). The father now began to threaten me with a lawsuit and talked about pressing charges. I pointed out that it was very interesting to see this story brought to light AFTER her dismissal from our place. At this point I gave up trying to talk sense to them and let them know that I was more than willing to countersue if they pursued legal action.
I am positive that my uncle did not touch her in any inappropriate way, and that she is blowing things up to spite us.
My question is - if she did bring a lawsuit to court, is there a way for us to counter-sue for harrassing us? Would this case be considered as word against word, and if so, how is judgement passed in such cases?
Would really like to hear what everyone thinks of the situation - thanks!
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