| Topic Name: |
Legal advice needed on lay-off? |
| Message Name: |
did you know you were a victim of sexual harrassment? |
| Date Posted: |
01/22/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
I have worked(laid off on tuesday) with a consulting company for almost two years and have received excellent feedback/remarks as well as reviews throughout the time I was with the company. I work in Marketing, and on tuesday half our team was cut. My problem is that one of the people who was not let go is having an affair with the CEO. This person has minimal experience in marketing(I have over six years) and as a result is not considered a tremendous asset to the team. I have been an extremly loyal employee since I started with the company, however I now feel hurt and even a bit angry. If I was sleeping with the CEO would I have been laid off? I don't know if I can/should pursue this issue or possibly take legal action? Maybe I am just feeling scared and vulnerable about losing my career, my home, etc.
Any and all advice/input is greatly appreciated! |
| Message: |
Sexual harassment, which is a form of sex discrimination prohibited under both federal and state law, may take one of two forms: "quid pro quo" harassment or "hostile environment" harassment. You probably know about quid pro quo (trading "this for that," or sex for hiring, promotion, or continued employment). Your case is a "hostile work environment" case The Supreme Court (yes, even this one!) has recognized that watching the boss's lover stay on while others are fired can make for a hostile work environment.
Yes there are disadvantages to bringing a complaint and a good lawyer or an EEOC employee can discuss that with you. Go to eeoc.gov or findlaw.com to look up labor and employment law. I found this is a good place to start: http://library.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getfile.pl?FILE=bars/hi/hi000006&TITLE=Subject&TOPIC=labor%20%26%20employment_sexual%20harassment_1
Good luck!
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