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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?"

4 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 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. 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!