Legal Question in Employment Law in Virginia

Options in Case of Workplace Harassment

4 months ago my partner had to approach the VP of Sales (also female) where she's employed over repeated errors in work projects she was given to complete by the VP. Since then, this woman has taken every opportunity possible to make her life at work horrible, including ridiculing her in front of other employees & vendors.

She has spoken with the woman privately and told her that her treatment and behavior was unprofessional and counter productive. After there was no change, she elevated the matter to the company owner who agreed that the VP of sales had a problem and that there was inappropriate behavior.

The situation is taking a severe physical and mental toll on her. Now she becomes physically ill just thinking about going to work, and she's got other symtoms, including numbness in her hands and migraines. She is seriously depressed and I am now afraid she may do herself harm.

Does she have any legal recourse available to her? She's got a great deal of documentation and no counseling. She had hoped going to the owner would improve the situation, but nothing has changed and it's been over 30 days. Any assistance or feedback you could provide me with will be greatly appreciated.


Asked on 4/04/02, 5:19 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Options in Case of Workplace Harassment

What would be the basis for the legal recourse,

making life at work horrible, or ridicule in front of vendors? I don't think so, and certainly

not in the right to work law state of Virginia.

Additionally, it would appear that none of the enumerated categories of prohibited discrimination

under federal law has been implicated in the scenario which you have described, and ,therefore, no cause of action would lie with the federal courts either.

I would say that it's time for your friend to move on to another job.

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Answered on 4/04/02, 10:08 am


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