My boss thinks harassment is good for business
Ashley, North Carolina
I work for an oil company. I had a customer that kept coming into my workplace for about a year. He kept saying the most sexually explicit things to me and would come to my work and harass me for hours. One day he spread my legs apart while saying these really sexually explicit comments.
I went to my manager about it and and he replied, “It sales oil.”
After I told my manger, this kept up for 9 more months until I contacted the EEOC. I went to my Manager a total of 3 more times! He said nothing to this man until he had found out I contacted the EEOC. It has created a very uneasy working enviroment!
Then the VP and owner found out, and it just got worse because my manager lied to them and said he had never witnessed it himself, which he had.
The investigation is still going on and the EEOC is making a visit tomorrow to my place of employment. It turns out the man who harassed me was actually brought up on sexual harassment charges with the company that he worked for.
The owner has been really ugly to me and even stated that I was “costing him money that wasn’t necessary”.
It’s really hard to come to work everyday knowing that they have pretty much sided with the harasser. I would love to just walk out and forget about the insensitive bastards cause all I am to them is an Office Manager that got what I deserved. But I am a single mom who has to have a steady income for my little girl as well as myself.
It has damaged me so bad that all I do is vomit and I no longer sleep. It has made me hate my job and hate the people I work with and for everytime I get my paycheck I get filled with anger and hate! It has stolen my once happy life and has made me a bitter hateful person that I no longer recognize. I do not know what the end result will be for I fear it will be in their favor.
When he said “It sales oil” he was referring to the comments made by this individual? Is that right?
I have a true hatred towards sales because that’s where I was harassed. I literally can’t stand the word. So when I read that I was like oh I have to read this post.
You did the right thing by filing a complaint with the EEOC although I am sure it has caused some problems at work it is much better than selling yourself out for sex. I am proud of you for stanind up to that and don’t let that boss tell you that y ou are spending money that isn’t necessary because obviously it was worth it because the man had a history of SH in his past. Which, if you research other people that have had similar experiences with this you will find a trend that most every man that has done this has done it to someone else.
I understand your bitterness and share it with you. I know that your work envionment is hectic right now but you hang in there as long as you can and take care of that little girl and show her that her Mama is strong and won’t stand for that kind of crap!!!
vangogh
I understand your anger. I don’t know which is worse, this customer’s degrading you in this way, or your boss thinking this is a good thing that helps them sell product. Good for you for standing up to them.
Still, for both yourself and your daughter, you need to keep a perspective about this. Your anger and hatred is not only hurting you–hurting your outlook, your health, etc–it could have a very negative effect on your daughter as she picks up on her own view of life from you. Please go to your local women’s center for some counseling to help you deal with this. –Jennifer
Yes he was saying with a little smirk on his face that this type of behavior is accepted by him! As long as I was selling oil or working with this company..This was basically the rules of the game!! Its sick and this place is filled with corruption! It’s time for a change!! I am not even in sales. I am an Office Manager that makes nothing as far as the comission goes. It upsets me that they value me in that way. Like I don’t have feelings, like I’m not a human being. I was taught by my mother to be respectful and stand up for the things I believe in. I am a very strong willed person and I will fight to the bitter sweet end! I wil not back down!! I will be strong for whatever is about to happen!!
Ugh. “It sales oil?” Was he serious!?!?!
I’m sorry this happened, but you’re very brave and strong confronting this head-on. I wish you luck.
Today is my day of victory!! the EEOC has made their decision!! They are behind me 100%. They found them to be at fault!! Not ME!!! This has been a long painful process but it all worked out thus far!! Now they can fight it out with the federal government!! A Big BIG thank you to the EEOC’s investigative team!!!!!!!!!! I hope and pray that those responsible in this matter get what they deserve.
That is great news, Ashley. Thanks so much for letting us know! –Jennifer