Legal Question in Sexual Harassment in Florida

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

I work as a dental hygienist for a dentist in Palm Beach County, Florida. He is very oppressive, arrogant, above the law, and verbally abuses and humiliates me usually regarding sexual harassing remarks and gestures. Specifically, he has stated in presence of other patients that she has a 'shaved pussy'. He has also rubbed his body against my private parts. He has also made extremely offensive remarks to my husband that:

"I'm doing your wife"..., your wife has a "shaved pussy", your wife likes my Big penis,etc.

I have suffered extreme humiliation, depression, and my marriage has been destroyed.

I filed a formal complaint with EEOC and the local office here in Palm Beach County, FLorida and they

responded that the office must have at least (15) employees for them to handle my complaint.

Private attorneys want a large retainer. w Also when Itold my boss I am filing a report he blackmailed me and fabricated a complaint that I went beyond my duties as a dental hygienist and he said he is sending it to Dept.of Professional Regulation in Tallahasse,FL. to revoke my license and that he will blackball me so that I never get a job again.

Please help me as I am extremely desperate.


Asked on 12/26/99, 9:55 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Kelly Henderson

Re: Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

You have described a very bad situation. Sadly for you, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the federal law which makes sexual harassment illegal, does not apply to employers with less than 15 employees. The EEOC is not simply choosing not to handle this case. The EEOC has no jurisdiction in your case because without 15 employees there is no violation on Title VII. If you insist, the EEOC will take your charge and probably give you an immediate no cause finding. Some cities, Miami for example, have local laws that cover small employers, you may want to check your local laws. I wish I could give you an answer you liked better, but that is how I see it. Hope you can find a better job.

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Answered on 2/17/00, 3:34 pm


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