Legal Question in Sexual Harassment in California
is a one-time verbal remark considered sexual harrassment?
i work in a very small company and recently a co-worker, whom i have never had problems with, made a sexual remark to me that really offended me and mad me angry. he blatantly said, in the presence of others in the lobby area, that i ''sleep around''. i have never spoken about my romantic life at work. i do not feel that i am an uptight person in any regard and do not want to ''punish'' this person for what could have been a slip of the tongue or just a stupid, thoughtless thing to say. who knows why he said it?! however, i do want him to realize that this is unacceptable and that this behavior will not be tolerated. how do i document this without elavating it? does it need to be escalated? i have already brought this to the attention of my supervisor and his. they both spoke and the guy feels bad, but this isn't really doing it for me. i am still angered by the fact that 1. he had the audacity to say something like this and 2. i am embarrassed. what's your advice? thanks.
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: is a one-time verbal remark considered sexual harrassment?
You should confirm your conversation with your supervisor in writing and keep a copy, just to keep a paper trail.
Re: is a one-time verbal remark considered sexual harrassment?
Report it to your boss and tell him the same as you put in your posting. One time incidents are not yet grounds for a lawsuit.
Re: is a one-time verbal remark considered sexual harrassment?
You've probably done what is necessary. You cannot sue company unless repeated known or should have been known, offenses by individual. You can sue him. Probably just best to make certain matter recorded in file somewhere in case it was not a single incident.
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