Post by californiadreamin on Aug 12, 2014 23:40:37 GMT
I need a little input on something from anyone who is familiar with Human Resources. I'm a regular poster but want to keep this apart from my normal posting.
DS 19 has a part-time job he loves. Last week he subbed at a different location, and the manager (Jack) there ordered the staff to do something that is against policy. They complied reluctantly (this guy is 3 levels of management up from them). When he returned to his regular location, he told his location manager (Bob) and a couple other staff members what had happened (I know, not that smart, he should have just told Bob privately). Bob works a couple levels under Jack. DS can't remember if Bob had a comment about what he told him or not.
DS has a good reputation for doing his job and a good relationship with all of the other staff and management. At least he thought so.
DS works with a bunch of teenage girls. One has been trying to get him to date her on a regular basis, and he is reluctant to do so, so has gone out to eat with her "as friends" and told her he's just not at a stage of his life where he's ready to take on a relationship. Some of the other girls have warned him not to "hurt her". He has tried to be kind and not lead her on. Saturday night she seemed upset that he won't commit to "going out". Frankly, he is probably a little oblivious to what signals she's sending.
Today Jack and an HR rep pulled him aside and told him he's being suspended due to sexual harrassment charges. It seems that Saturday during the day there were no customers and they were getting ready to close, and an off-duty employee brought in a bunch of clothes she had bought and modeled them for DS and 3 other female employees. They were all commenting on how cute the clothes looked and joking around, as they often do, and DS said something like "whoa, you look hot in that!" Jack asked if he remembered saying this and similar things, and he said yes, but he was just joining in the fun with the girls admiring the clothes and didn't mean anything by it. He admitted that it was not appropriate to say in a work setting. That is the only occasion they are filing charges about.
They told him that some or all of the 4 girls present had complained and were opening an investigation, and he is subject to termination. If he resigns now the investigation will continue and legal charges may be filed.
DS is in shock. He said the girls often talk about sexual matters at work, including very personal things between them and their current boyfriend, and he has tried to ignore that, but now that he said this about the clothes they want to fire him? He is wondering if a) the girls are getting back at him for not being willing to date the one girl, and/or b) if Jack is retaliating because he blabbed about the instruction to disregard policy when he was subbing. He's scared and upset.
He has requested a meeting with Jack's supervisor (this is per instructions on his suspension letter) to discuss his concerns. I'm frankly not sure what to advise him to do or say at this point.
DS 19 has a part-time job he loves. Last week he subbed at a different location, and the manager (Jack) there ordered the staff to do something that is against policy. They complied reluctantly (this guy is 3 levels of management up from them). When he returned to his regular location, he told his location manager (Bob) and a couple other staff members what had happened (I know, not that smart, he should have just told Bob privately). Bob works a couple levels under Jack. DS can't remember if Bob had a comment about what he told him or not.
DS has a good reputation for doing his job and a good relationship with all of the other staff and management. At least he thought so.
DS works with a bunch of teenage girls. One has been trying to get him to date her on a regular basis, and he is reluctant to do so, so has gone out to eat with her "as friends" and told her he's just not at a stage of his life where he's ready to take on a relationship. Some of the other girls have warned him not to "hurt her". He has tried to be kind and not lead her on. Saturday night she seemed upset that he won't commit to "going out". Frankly, he is probably a little oblivious to what signals she's sending.
Today Jack and an HR rep pulled him aside and told him he's being suspended due to sexual harrassment charges. It seems that Saturday during the day there were no customers and they were getting ready to close, and an off-duty employee brought in a bunch of clothes she had bought and modeled them for DS and 3 other female employees. They were all commenting on how cute the clothes looked and joking around, as they often do, and DS said something like "whoa, you look hot in that!" Jack asked if he remembered saying this and similar things, and he said yes, but he was just joining in the fun with the girls admiring the clothes and didn't mean anything by it. He admitted that it was not appropriate to say in a work setting. That is the only occasion they are filing charges about.
They told him that some or all of the 4 girls present had complained and were opening an investigation, and he is subject to termination. If he resigns now the investigation will continue and legal charges may be filed.
DS is in shock. He said the girls often talk about sexual matters at work, including very personal things between them and their current boyfriend, and he has tried to ignore that, but now that he said this about the clothes they want to fire him? He is wondering if a) the girls are getting back at him for not being willing to date the one girl, and/or b) if Jack is retaliating because he blabbed about the instruction to disregard policy when he was subbing. He's scared and upset.
He has requested a meeting with Jack's supervisor (this is per instructions on his suspension letter) to discuss his concerns. I'm frankly not sure what to advise him to do or say at this point.
