Reply to: Sexual Harrassment

[original PM]

This is a long thread - MS can you make me a sandwich while i read it?

[NotAllThere]

General discussions on sexual harassment can go here: http://forums.contractoruk.com/gener...rrassment.html

[WTFH]

It should be the company dealing with the issue, not you. Also, is the person who reported it involved in the allegation, or are they someone who has observed something, but perhaps without all the facts?


It's very dodgy ground for you, unless you are an HR consultant being contracted in to deal specifically with this sort of incident. If you're not qualified to deal with it or are not contracted to deal with it, I would walk away fast - hand it over to HR as soon as possible. It will only end badly for you.

[MrMarkyMark]

I am contractor and there has been no gossiping at all, my direct report was the one who had the complaint made to. And asked me to keep an eye on it, and now to have a word. I don't know who has made the complaint/comment but have an idea.

It all could be a missunderstanding I hope when I speak to him tomorrow it gets dealt with, he realises not to talk like that in the office and we move on. If not then I'm afraid he'll be out the door.

Thank you to you all for the advice

Can't understand why you have got, involved as a contractor, this is very much something for the perms to sort out.
Sometimes it's best not to be "helpful".

[SueEllen]

Why has the permie in question not started a grievance procedure?

HR require lots of evidence before they go legal. It's easier to remove someone on proven performance grounds or sent them to another site for "business reasons" that everyone hates working so tends to resign if sent there..

The last really creepy guy I had to work was, was removed to such a site because of his behaviour towards me and other women on the site. Funny thing is I didn't complain but had apparently given him a verbal lashing. His behaviour towards me was reported to his manager by a male permie who had witnessed it all. The manager then had got other reports of the guy's behaviour to other women from me and other men.

We were actually told that if he did it again we needed to raise a complaint and get the woman to as well, but when his manager had a chance to get him moved to a different site he did.

[LondonManc]

Why has the permie in question not started a grievance procedure?

Spot on. Or at least raising it to El Creepo's line/hiring manager directly. It's then up to El Creepo's manager to have a word.

[Unix]

Frankly, I find it really hard to understand what you are going on about. Wtf is an "unoffical comment"? And who was keeping an eye on whom? And who was nervous? Make little sense. But anyway, maybe this is a summary.

1. You are a contractor and were asked to monitor the behaviour of another contractor to see if they were sexually harassing a colleague.
   
2. Now you've been asked to have a quiet word with the alledged offender having observed some inappropriate behaviour.
   
3. You think he is good at his job.

If he has behaved inappropriately, then his ability his irrelevant.

You have chosen to be involved. That was really really stupid. You should have said no. But you've said yes and have no choice but to follow through.

Depends on what was said, no doubt the contractor isn't attractive to the female involved or it would be a different story.

[Unix]

And an example I worked with a guy two years ago that always worked late. One day he didn't turn up because he hadn't been let him. He'd made one of the lady perms nervous by sitting at her desk chatting to her one evening and not taking a hint to go away. Possibly overly chatty, possibly more but either way, off he went and no one batted an eyelid. You don't piss the permies off and that was that.

Made her nervous by chatting?, they should have sacked her! so you can't even chat to people now. No wonder offices are becoming dull as feck.

[mudskipper]

This ^

Why the hell is one business employee being asked to speak to another business employee about how they are treating another business employee from someone within that employees business....

My mind is boggling with this one... and how everyone isn't screaming just stay out of it

Agreed. I'd missed the Chinese Whispers element. Pass it on to someone who's job it is to deal with this stuff.

[Hobosapien]

Or the right way ?

I know of a contractor who used the 'you look nice' line on the receptionist as they were getting into the elevator up to the office. Worked for him. He was banging her regularly after that ice breaker, up until his contract ended. She even arranged a farewell card, unusual for contractors, so he must have made a big impression. Well played.

Depends on how the comment is likely to be received as to whether it may be a wrong or right move. If she hadn't been attracted to him he may well have got his marching orders for 'creeping her out'.

As for the OP. I'd just ignore it. If asked, say yes you've had a word (lie) and see what happens. I'd be saying it's not my problem, unless I was contracted into the HR dept. They have permies paid to handle this bollox.

[dx4100]

Why has the permie in question not started a grievance procedure?

This ^

Why the hell is one business employee being asked to speak to another business employee about how they are treating another business employee from someone within that employees business....

My mind is boggling with this one... and how everyone isn't screaming just stay out of it

[Eirikur]

Why has the permie in question not started a grievance procedure?

[BrilloPad]

One of your team has reported it to you. You should report it to your boss. And that that should have been the first thing you did. The longer you leave it, the more it looks like a cover up.

Banks take it very seriously. Interestingly, they harass victims to make official complaints.

In 2014 I was permie. Another permie told me she had received unwanted attention from a mentoring director on a graduate program. But did not care. HR became aware that the mentoring director had done similar with other graduates. HR harassed the permie I spoke to - they wanted her to make a complaint. I offered no advice to her - she knew what she wanted to do.

[SlipTheJab]

Personally I would tell the client I ain't spying for them and its nothing to do with me....

Why the hell are you getting involved in this tulip ?

Exactly WTF has it got to do with you?

[dx4100]

I agree - thats a bit creepy if you ask me.

I've been with current client almost 2 years and they are the most laid back bunch ever. BUT I wouldnt say something like that - all it takes is for someone to take it the wrong way etc....

Or the right way ?