Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Sexual Harassment for Consultants?

Posted by Cliff on from the it's-all-about-power dept.

Medcoop asks: "My friend is working as a consultant for a government institution, and is having a difficult time with his direct supervisor (the person who hired and manages him). She has been repeatedly asking him out (even though she is several decades his senior), and keeps referencing her preference for younger men. This isn't exactly sexual harassment, however, as he hasn't said 'No, and please stop asking.' The problem is that if he says the above, there won't be any more work for him there. He's not really fired, but just not asked back for other work. Where does this situation fall with respect to the law? Does anyone have any advice for him?"

8 of 159 comments (clear)

  1. If he says no and is punished by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Then that is sexual harassment, and he can treat it as such. Have him start documenting it.

    1. Re:If he says no and is punished by Sparr0 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      he wont be punished, his contract just wont be renewed. or they wont hire him next time they need someone. id say its their perogative, but he should leave.

    2. Re:If he says no and is punished by Tuxinatorium · · Score: 3, Insightful

      the problem is that it is very difficult to prove it's punishment, moreso since he is a contracted consultant instead of a regular employee. He could just not get a new contract, which is different from getting fired.

      --
      Repeal the DMCA!
    3. Re:If he says no and is punished by edward.virtually@pob · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Start looking for other work. The chances of a male successfully suing a female for harassment is about zero no matter how obvious it is, such as in your friend's case. Don't bother "documenting it", since no lawyer will take the case except for pay, and your friend cannot afford that.

  2. More slashdot legal advice... by Sancho · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'd suggest consulting an attorney on the subject. Asking for legal advice on slashdot is somewhat foolish.

  3. Seems fairly straightforward by GuyMannDude · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This isn't exactly sexual harassment, however, as he hasn't said 'No, and please stop asking.'

    So why hasn't he told her to stop? Maybe she doesn't realize how much it's bothering him. Hell, from your description it's not even clear to me how much it's bothing him. If it's not that big of a bother to him, then he should just bare it. If it is creeping him out, then he needs to tell her that and not be a coward about not getting asked back for more work. Is this his only client or something? Part of the joy of being a consultant is that you can pick and choose your employer. He doesn't have to put up with that shit unless he wants to.

    I don't understand why you are asking us about it. It seems like his course of action should be clear *if* he is clear about his own feelings on the matter. Either it's a big deal to him or it isn't.

    GMD

    --
    watch this
  4. Two choices, Legal and Practical by spRed · · Score: 3, Insightful

    There are two ways you can approach this problem, legal and practical.

    Legally you have been wronged (although to prove it you have to have a record, and have to rebuff her in obvious ways). Practically, you have a dilema. I think the OP was asking about practical solutions.

    Practically, don't lead her on and don't spit in her face. Either is disingenuous. Are you doing the job? do your job. Are you looking to cash in on a lawsuit? sue.

    Discrimination/harassment/people don't love you is a fact of life. People that can't hide irrational prejudice lose in the long run. On the margins, shit happens. Deal.

    --
    .sig Karma out the wazoo, better to spend points elsewhere if this is above 2 or below 0
  5. Advice by fm6 · · Score: 4, Insightful
    You're right about Slashdot being the wrong place to ask for legal advice. Or any kind of advice that doesn't rate as Peer Counselling for Geeks. (Though Cliff doesn't seem to agree.) But the legal question is only a small part of the problem. A person in this kind of a situation needs to know more than whether they have a legal rememdy -- they also have to decide whether a legal remedy is worth pursuing. Which is an appropriate question to ask of ones peers.

    Then again, this guy seems to be assuming that he only has two choices: play the gigolo, or face losing his consulting contracts. With a little self-esteem and a little tact, one could probably let down a sexually aggressive boss without provoking a crisis. Alas, Slashdotters are not notable for self-esteem or tact. Perhaps the question should be directed to a psychologist. Or an advice columnist. Even an ettiquite expert would probably give better advice!