- Beyond Blue Forums
- Mental health conditions
- PTSD and trauma
- My boss tries to accuse me back when i reported th...
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Mark Topic as New
- Mark Topic as Read
- Pin this Topic for Current User
- Follow
- Printer Friendly Page
My boss tries to accuse me back when i reported that i was been sexually abused by a colleague
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
I work in a restaurant and one of my colleague touched and snapped my bra and i just walked of the work with my teary eyes. That night i finalised that i am no more working there and today my boss called me for my whereabout. I explained i am quitting the job as i was been sexually abused by the man, and the owner was frowned at me when i used the word " Sexually Abuse" and he started to say that should not use that term and reminded me that it requires money to file a case. He even told me that people do this things for money and said there was an actor called Goffrey, where the alleged victim was accused back later. I am so disheartened to hear all this as i was looking for his support and he turn out to question me for my character and my money status. Well, i don't intend to file police case against that man as he seems to realise his action but the owner's way of dealing with the situation just to save his restaurant name and not caring for his employees was very unethical.
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hi She91 and warm welcome
Being sexually harassed in the workplace is just not on. I understand completely how you are feeling about what happened to you and how the owner of the restaurant responded. I know the feeling of worthlessness, and when no one cares or values me as a person. Your feelings are valid, how you think about it, is valid.
Leaving your work because of the sexual harassment is hard but understandable. If it were me though, I would do something, e.g. contact the department responsible for receiving complaints about harassment. There is a national body along with state bodies. If you are interested at all have a look at the following website that contains contact details for each state, territory and national body - www.lawcouncil.asn.au/policy-agenda/advancing-the-profession/equal-opportunities-in-the-law/sexual-harassment-in-the-workplace
It's okay to make a complaint to a government body about an employer that is not supportive of it's employees.
Hope some of this helps She91.
Kind regards
PamelaR
https://www.lawcouncil.asn.au/policy-agenda/advancing-the-profession/equal-opportunities-in-the-law/sexual-harassment-in-the-workplace
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hi She91
Welcome to bb. I am very sorry to hear about your experience in the workplace. It's simply not on.
What you have described is sexual harassment, which is unlawful behaviour, and you have every right to complain. Your employer has an obligation to provide a safe workplace and he has failed, in addition to failing to respond appropriately to your complaint. The fact that he tried to scare and intimidate you using the Geoffrey Rush case is outrageous.
If you want to lodge an external complaint of sexual harassment you can contact Fair Work, WorkSafe, your union or the human rights and equal opportunity commission (HREOC) in your state. (There may be other options but I don't have enough detail to say).
Given you have resigned, in my opinion, HREOC is your best avenue. Fair Work would be my next choice. You don't need a lot of money or a lawyer to do this. You may be entitled to compensation, so it's worth making a few phone calls.
If you do ring HREOC or Fair Work, please also raise the issue of "constructive dismissal". The additional complaint would be that your boss backed you into a corner where you had no choice but to resign. This is textbook constuctive dismissal in my opinion and you would likely be entitled to compensation for this too.
I am not a lawyer but I am an employer and sharing what I know from work experience.
Hope this helps and happy to continue the conversation.
Kind thoughts to you
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
After that incident, I felt so helpless and depressed but after going through your words, I feel supported and relaxed. Now I have courage to raise my voice as this is not right and I don't intend others to suffer like me.
I have already filed a complaint.
Thanks again for supporting and guiding me.
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
I am immensely thankful for your support and help.
I do have filed online complaint to Human Rights but waiting for their respond now.
I will look forward how it goes and try to contact the support services you have suggested me.
Thanks again.
May the truth wins
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hi She91
Good on you! The online forms are great, it's very easy. If they take your case they will organise a mediation session between you and your employer. Please let us know how it goes as I might be able to help guide you through this.
So proud of you!
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Your quote goes hereI was an expert, experienced, empathetic, intellect & Successful Adolescent Educator for nearly 4 decades,across multiple states and regions. In 2007, I was asked by an education dept to take a position, 8 hrs from home. My family, horses, etc relocated, & became respected,contributing school & community. I fell on KNOWN OHS CONCRETE STAIRS & severely damaged my spinal column. Unbeknownst to me, the "Principal without principals, who lies & corrupts at the detriment of both students & staff ", wanted to replace me by his best friends daughter, first yr graduate, on half my salary. He was informed by one of the 12yr old Aboriginal girls :"Ms MC is reporting you for all the times you have sexually assaulted us". He, immediately, dropped by my lab (1st time in 5 years),smiling :"Would you have 2mins for quick chat, no problems". I attended his office to be locked in, against my will, for over an hour of 'Sexual, Verbal, Psychological, Emotional & Physical ABUSE'. I was barely able to speak or walk,& was immediately sent home by Deputy, stating:" Ms, you were not alone with him, my husband always ACCOMPANIES me, he is a dangerous man, how long? I could barely speak. When reported by a colleague, NO POLICY /PROCEDURE WAS FOLLOWED. Despite diagnosis by 5 medical experts of severe PTSD & anxiety, the investigation, is a 3 page questionnaire asking THE KNOWN SEXUAL PREDATOR :"Did you ? His answers were given priority.I was never approached, so his subsequent, workplace mobbing, sudden, report I, was having problems, & bullying program began. This was horrid 5 weeks, of 2 women telling me:"you stink, you are an ohs risk". Daily records, written by them,discuss my perfume (red door),daily. My colleague wrote to many, including Head Office. He, was never investigated . HE WAS GIVEN 2011-13, to lie, create, old boys, corrupt until i was 'dismissed', put on the list, & completely destroyed. All based on lies and corruption. IN ALL MY CAREER, NO PROBLEMS. I was dismissed,on lies,impossible lies.6 years later, as an immigrant,bright& academic innately talented, I wasted my life on this country.
No one give s a hoot. I have nothing after public service of 40 years. Why live? Nobody cares. Australian Government is corrupt and ungrateful .He retired on full pension happily. I lost home, horse ,friends & family. You never recover.
Your quote goes here
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Thank you for being part of the beyondblue community forums. We're just posting here to let you know that we've recently sent you an email.
- Anxiety
- BB Social Zone
- Depression
- Grief and loss
- Multicultural experiences
- PTSD and trauma
- Relationship and family issues
- Sexuality and gender identity
- Staying well
- Suicidal thoughts and self-harm
- Supporting family and friends
- Treatments, health professionals, therapies
- Welcome and orientation
- Young people