MichaelJenkins
Junior Member
California
I am the President of a company which has about 25 people, 4 of which are employees, the rest are independent contractors. While I was away, there was a verbal altercation between a male independent contractor and a female employee of mine. From what I hear, the independent contractor raised his voice and used prophanity (f-word) twice. He made no racial, sexual, or discriminatory comments. Although the independent contractor had every right to be angry, the female employee was crying about the situation. I spoke to her via phone, and she said everything was fine with him now, and she could continue to sit near him. However, today she sends me a long email (written by an attorney I’d assume) which she says 1) she’s reported the contractors behavior’s numerous times (she hasn’t), 2) he has made racial/sexual discriminatory comments to her (he hasn’t, and there is no proof of it), 3) she is losing sleep and cry’s every day 4) that I have not done anything about the behavior 5) asks for a response and a course of action for the issue.
I am at a loss as to how to handle it. It is obvious she is trying to set up a lawsuit since all of her allegations are completely without merit. They are ludicrous, and it makes me wonder if I should keep her employed because the allegations are so obviously lies. However, if I terminate her, that would add fuel to her fire. My question is, what should my response include? What should it not include? Should I include the fact that she has never complained before? Or that she has told me everything was fine? Should I consult with an attorney now, and have him send her a letter?
I am the President of a company which has about 25 people, 4 of which are employees, the rest are independent contractors. While I was away, there was a verbal altercation between a male independent contractor and a female employee of mine. From what I hear, the independent contractor raised his voice and used prophanity (f-word) twice. He made no racial, sexual, or discriminatory comments. Although the independent contractor had every right to be angry, the female employee was crying about the situation. I spoke to her via phone, and she said everything was fine with him now, and she could continue to sit near him. However, today she sends me a long email (written by an attorney I’d assume) which she says 1) she’s reported the contractors behavior’s numerous times (she hasn’t), 2) he has made racial/sexual discriminatory comments to her (he hasn’t, and there is no proof of it), 3) she is losing sleep and cry’s every day 4) that I have not done anything about the behavior 5) asks for a response and a course of action for the issue.
I am at a loss as to how to handle it. It is obvious she is trying to set up a lawsuit since all of her allegations are completely without merit. They are ludicrous, and it makes me wonder if I should keep her employed because the allegations are so obviously lies. However, if I terminate her, that would add fuel to her fire. My question is, what should my response include? What should it not include? Should I include the fact that she has never complained before? Or that she has told me everything was fine? Should I consult with an attorney now, and have him send her a letter?