What is the name of your state? Ma
I was involved in a sexual harasssment accusation at a particular company in which I was the accuser. The accusation involved some very specific comments and the subsequent litany of very uncomfortable jokes. The inaccuracy of these comments has led me to investigate whether I could pursue this as defamation or slander or libel (the differences are confusing to me). The company I work at stated that my accusations were not corroborated although the investigations they did were questionable. It is truly the response of any company to attack thecredbibility of the accuser. In dealings with the EEOC, they stated that these matters were outside the normal matters they usually deal with and that this issue is a matter of people in the workplace not 'liking me'. They did state that I had every right to make this a civil case on my own.
Since then there has been issues that I would descriibe as retaliatorym and I was told by an HR representative that my fellow employees were fearful of theor personal safety. I have had employees make a certain gesture (which involves a raised finger being moved in a circle) to indicate I have a mental disability. I still stand by my accusations but the company has already decicded that the only way to resolve this issue is to cast aspersions on me.
1. Is calling me 'crazy' a violation of my rights in the sense that it makes an accusation of a medical disability. I would like to further make the case that this constitutes libel or defamation or slander as well. I further believe it may be difficult for me to get employment should anyone contact employees at said company.
2. Does this constitute retaliation which I know to be illegal when accusations are made ? At what point can it be said that the company has crossed the line ? Animosity in the workplace is something I have been told I must expect (for example, one person who is in a competeitive situation with me, walked past my office and said "time for you to go"). Thru what little grapevine I have, it appears that the company has officially declared that they will "ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION" but yet I have never in any way shape or form given any person any fear for their safety. I have also been told by one employee that if I don't like it, I can leave. Does the compay have any responsibility or accountability in these matters. They state they cannot prevent this animosity.
I want to build a lawsuit and have wanted to do that for some time now but the level of animosity is high and I am somewhat isolated in the company. I consider myself a professional person working in a company which has a known history of unprofessionalism both from word of mouth since I know what other people in my field say about this company and from past legal actions between the company and past employees who experienced 'issues'. This company prides itself on a mantra "Whatever it takes" and there are complete whackos who walk down the hall and actually say things like "whatever it takes baby". This situation cannot be defused so I try to keep to myself and will simply put together as much of a case as possible outside the company.
Can someone answer my question 1/2 posed above and/or provide me with some suggestions.
I was involved in a sexual harasssment accusation at a particular company in which I was the accuser. The accusation involved some very specific comments and the subsequent litany of very uncomfortable jokes. The inaccuracy of these comments has led me to investigate whether I could pursue this as defamation or slander or libel (the differences are confusing to me). The company I work at stated that my accusations were not corroborated although the investigations they did were questionable. It is truly the response of any company to attack thecredbibility of the accuser. In dealings with the EEOC, they stated that these matters were outside the normal matters they usually deal with and that this issue is a matter of people in the workplace not 'liking me'. They did state that I had every right to make this a civil case on my own.
Since then there has been issues that I would descriibe as retaliatorym and I was told by an HR representative that my fellow employees were fearful of theor personal safety. I have had employees make a certain gesture (which involves a raised finger being moved in a circle) to indicate I have a mental disability. I still stand by my accusations but the company has already decicded that the only way to resolve this issue is to cast aspersions on me.
1. Is calling me 'crazy' a violation of my rights in the sense that it makes an accusation of a medical disability. I would like to further make the case that this constitutes libel or defamation or slander as well. I further believe it may be difficult for me to get employment should anyone contact employees at said company.
2. Does this constitute retaliation which I know to be illegal when accusations are made ? At what point can it be said that the company has crossed the line ? Animosity in the workplace is something I have been told I must expect (for example, one person who is in a competeitive situation with me, walked past my office and said "time for you to go"). Thru what little grapevine I have, it appears that the company has officially declared that they will "ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION" but yet I have never in any way shape or form given any person any fear for their safety. I have also been told by one employee that if I don't like it, I can leave. Does the compay have any responsibility or accountability in these matters. They state they cannot prevent this animosity.
I want to build a lawsuit and have wanted to do that for some time now but the level of animosity is high and I am somewhat isolated in the company. I consider myself a professional person working in a company which has a known history of unprofessionalism both from word of mouth since I know what other people in my field say about this company and from past legal actions between the company and past employees who experienced 'issues'. This company prides itself on a mantra "Whatever it takes" and there are complete whackos who walk down the hall and actually say things like "whatever it takes baby". This situation cannot be defused so I try to keep to myself and will simply put together as much of a case as possible outside the company.
Can someone answer my question 1/2 posed above and/or provide me with some suggestions.