What is the name of your state? Ma
I am involved in a difficult work environment. Approx 2 yrs ago, I noticed an abrupt change in atmosphere toward me. Some of the comments made were sexual in nature. One of the people I worked with daily, turned around once and under his breath stated "If you're not gay you're crazy". Several other employees in my workplace would ntoiceably say to each other when I walked past them .. "He does not want anything or he does not need anything". As time progressed I came to the conclusion that this very probably involved some sexual behavior between employees, not necessarily in the workplace but amongst individuals in the workplace. I believe that a particular female involved probably had some daliances with other people, and the result was that these rather embarassing comments resulted. Some time shortly thereafter, a continuing joke escalated into a fabrication that apparently I turned this young woman down. I finally went to HR. After getting nowhere, the person at HR whom I had spoken to, was leaving the company for personal reasons unrelated to work. She stated to me that there was a rumor that I had a benefactor of sorts but that was not supposed to officially discuss this and did not want any involvement. These problems have resulted in continual jokes which make my environment difficult. One person, specifically stated before another person "She says you're gay". I went to HR to discuss this again and was told she would investigate. After a month or so, I went to see her for the results and she stated that I had never relayed this to her. I offered to show her my notes and she atated that my notes do not matter, only hers do. I stated that scurrilous comments that I have a benefactor are false and anyone circulating this is stating a falsehood and that this represents libel (a false statement with repercussions), She stated to me that the only way the law sees sexual harassment is if there is an economic loss of finances. I suggested that I might pursue this legally on an individual basis and her reply was "I would recommend you doing that". Later the sexual harassment laws of the company were amended to say that "any employees making statements pertaining to a presumed sexual orientation or sexual prowess" are subject to comany policy about sexual harassment. There were other comments of a much more twisted nature that I will not describe here and it leads me to conclude that this change in policy may have come about because of me. There is a lot friction and hostility toward me. and I do not know what to do in this case. Is there any federal or state (Ma) law which would say that very degrading and sexually explicit comments (or misrepresentations) in the workplace constitiue a violation of any law. Or is this only sexual harassment if I lose my job ?
I am involved in a difficult work environment. Approx 2 yrs ago, I noticed an abrupt change in atmosphere toward me. Some of the comments made were sexual in nature. One of the people I worked with daily, turned around once and under his breath stated "If you're not gay you're crazy". Several other employees in my workplace would ntoiceably say to each other when I walked past them .. "He does not want anything or he does not need anything". As time progressed I came to the conclusion that this very probably involved some sexual behavior between employees, not necessarily in the workplace but amongst individuals in the workplace. I believe that a particular female involved probably had some daliances with other people, and the result was that these rather embarassing comments resulted. Some time shortly thereafter, a continuing joke escalated into a fabrication that apparently I turned this young woman down. I finally went to HR. After getting nowhere, the person at HR whom I had spoken to, was leaving the company for personal reasons unrelated to work. She stated to me that there was a rumor that I had a benefactor of sorts but that was not supposed to officially discuss this and did not want any involvement. These problems have resulted in continual jokes which make my environment difficult. One person, specifically stated before another person "She says you're gay". I went to HR to discuss this again and was told she would investigate. After a month or so, I went to see her for the results and she stated that I had never relayed this to her. I offered to show her my notes and she atated that my notes do not matter, only hers do. I stated that scurrilous comments that I have a benefactor are false and anyone circulating this is stating a falsehood and that this represents libel (a false statement with repercussions), She stated to me that the only way the law sees sexual harassment is if there is an economic loss of finances. I suggested that I might pursue this legally on an individual basis and her reply was "I would recommend you doing that". Later the sexual harassment laws of the company were amended to say that "any employees making statements pertaining to a presumed sexual orientation or sexual prowess" are subject to comany policy about sexual harassment. There were other comments of a much more twisted nature that I will not describe here and it leads me to conclude that this change in policy may have come about because of me. There is a lot friction and hostility toward me. and I do not know what to do in this case. Is there any federal or state (Ma) law which would say that very degrading and sexually explicit comments (or misrepresentations) in the workplace constitiue a violation of any law. Or is this only sexual harassment if I lose my job ?
