Legal Question in Sexual Harassment in California

Rights for an accused

a women at my workplace was attracted to me and asked me to go out several times. i said no. her friend asked me and i agreed and went out with her friend. the other friend is now jelious and filed a sexual harresment charge on me. saying i stroked her hair as i passd her in the office. this is false, shealso is telling everyone in the office i did this. is this slander? what rights do i have as a accused guy? my employer now wants a statment from me regarding this. wht do i do. my job of 8 yrs is not in jepordy. PLEASE HELP. THANKYOU


Asked on 2/14/01, 7:34 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Kirschbaum Law Offices of Michael R. Kirschbaum

Re: Rights for an accused

Yes, you have been slandered, but that should not be the focus of your concern at this point. Employers have learned that they must take complaints of sexual harassment very seriously. They must investigate all such complaints and take immediate action to make sure no further incidents occur. Your job right now is to cooperate with the investigation, give a complete and honest statement of what happened or didn't happen, and stay away from your accuser. Any attempt to confront her will get you in worse trouble. Unfortunately, people in your position are suffering a backlash from the hightened sensitivity employers have to sexual harassment complaints. Employers can discipline you even if the charges are not proven, as long as they do a "good faith" investigation and have some basis to believe the charge may be true. Try to hang in there and be as cooperative as possible.

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Answered on 3/30/01, 2:45 pm


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