Legal Question in Sexual Harassment in Massachusetts
Manipulative Boss
My girlfriend began working for a T.V. production company as an intern 6 months ago, but for the past 3 months she has been employed by the same company. Her supervisor, who is also an associate executive producer. For about 3 months her their relationship has grown more flirtacious, culminating in an Instant Messanger conversation in which he incited explicit sexual talk with her, and requested a nude picture--which she sent him. Since then he has twice requested more pictures via email, to which she did not respond. A week later she told him it had to end, and asked that he tell the primary executive producer--which he first said he did and would step down, but actually did neither. He has also encouraged her to break up with me. Since she approached him, a continuation of her employment he had offered her during their flirtacious relationship has been revoked, as did another offer he made to employee her after he accepted a new position at a different company--an offer based on his ''appreciation for her good work''. He has also made potentially greater workload demands of her since then, but she is concerned pursuing this matter will ruin her reputation and negate her hard work. Can and should she file a complaint?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Manipulative Boss
Based on what you've described, this is a serious situation. While there are two sides to every story, it appears this supervisor stepped way over the line into inappropriate sexual and workplace harassment. The matter at least deserves to be looked at more closely.
If legitimate claims can be made, a Massachusetts statute governs how, where and when they must be brought. Given that failure to comply with the statutory claims-making process can result in impairing and even the total loss of legitimate claims, you must confer with counsel if you intend to preserve the right to bring claims, provided it is not already too late; from your description you are probably ok, but not necessarily.
Feel free to contact me for a free initial consultation. Otherwise, good luck.
Re: Manipulative Boss
The decision is hers to make however I think it very important that she report this to her HR department on a confidential basis, if for no other reason than to be on record.
They should arrange a consultation between the parties to resolve the issue.
Ultimately this may require filing with MCAD. Please note there is a short time period to make complaints with MCAD. Their website details the process.
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