Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Recently at my old job, I was sexually harassed, and nobody did anything about it. This is exactly why it’s my former job. I felt the need to quit because I was no longer comfortable working there with he man that decided he could do whatever he wanted, and not reap a punishment for it. 

I worked at a breakfast restaurant. Now mind you this is a very true story, and happened less than a week ago. I went into the walk in to get some lettuce. For those of you who do not know what a walk in is… it’s basically a very large walk- in refrigerator that most places that sell food have to store cool foods. These walk ins have very large, heavy metal doors on them. As I was leaving, one of the cooks, that had been making suggestions for the past couple of weeks, came in behind me. I had my hand on the door, and he took it off, pulled my arms across my chest, and from behind me, he held them in place with his. My back was pulled against his stomach. It was sickening.

While he’s got me in this position, he starts to explain to me how in love with me he is, and that he wants my son to be his. Then proceeds to kiss my ear and put his face in my neck. As if him and I are lovers. Being that I do have a fiance, this was extremely uncomfortable. He asked if I was scared, I said yes. So he let go. That night I told my fiance what had happened at work. Of course, he was furious, and wanted me to go to he police. I was scared. So the next day, I went back to work to pick up my check, and I told my boss what went down the day before. Surprisingly, his response was, ” I don’t think so”. I was very confused at this point. But he told me, that he would have a talk with the cook, and that if anything happened again, he would take another step.

This was no good. How am I supposed to work everyday, with someone that did that to me? Not only that, but I ratted them out. So I left there, went down the street and picked up another waitressing job immediately. And I never went back or communicated with anyone there.

Although, I got out of the situation, this is not how the story should have ended. Sexual harassment is not ok, anywhere. And when you do report it, something should be done about it. I found out later that day, that this guy had been fired from there for doing the same thing a few years back. And they still let him come back. That says alot right there. I knew for sure nothing would happen to him. I don’t think he would have even gotten suspended from work.

There are things you should do in situations like this.

1. Report it as soon as it happens. If you have to leave work due to being uncomfortable, fine. But you must report it immediately. Not the next day, like I did.
2. Tell your boss, but tell the owner as well. And the cops, you need to file a report saying that this person did do this to you. It is a form of assault.
3. Don’t stay in contact with the person. Even if they were your best friend, they still assaulted you.
4. Be wary of situations like this. If you see or even think something like this may happen, stop it before it’s too late.

I wanted to share this with you, because it is scary. And most people don’t know how to solve this kind of issue. Especially when it happens somewhere that you work everyday. So keep in mind that it can happen to anyone. Just know what to do when it does.