Workplace Assault

Hello,

I am a female employee and have worked for this company for 15 years. While at work a male co-worker came up from behind me and forcefully slapped my butt and stated "Buns of steel". This was not a slight tap or a light grab and it did hurt.  It was witnessed by another co-worker. When I tried to confront the assaulter he ran away. I brought this to my superiors attention and they confirmed it with the other co-worker that this event did happen. The slapper was only placed on 2 days probation and has sinced returned to work. I am now fearful every time I go to work that this may happen again. My work performance has decreased and I am an emotional wreck. What do you think I should do??

Thank you.

bjackson67:

The slapper was only placed on 2 days probation

Did you think that the other person should fired?  You also do not know if there were any other consequences to that employee and you do not need to be informed of the punishment.

bjackson67:

I am now fearful every time I go to work that this may happen again. My work performance has decreased and I am an emotional wreck.

Has there been any indication from this person that he is thinking about a repeat of his actions?  There is really no way to protect you from something that "might" happen in the future.  Try to relax and watch your production.

He may rightfully be afraid to be anywhere near you--if he so much as brushes against you--he is probably toast with that firm if you file complaint #2. You hold a big edge.

I don't know how to politely put it--but get over it --the punishment may have been short of your desire --but he got zapped--and its now time to move on.

I repeat--he is probably a marked man and you hold the edge.

I was grabbed in the behind by a co-worker once upon a time and in front of a bunch of colleagues.  I was furious, reported it, and got over it in about an hour.  I suggest you get over it too.  I'm not minimizing the incident - I experienced the exact same thing.  But I think you've built it up in your mind to a much bigger thing than it is.

The employee who did this to you was suspended and I fully expect was told he would be terminated instantly if he ever does anything like this again.  If you choose to be an emotional wreck, you're only victimizing yourself.  My primary reaction to the incident I experienced, besides being angry, was thinking what a complete and total idiot he was. He undoubtedly still is.  I suggest you take the same viewpoint.

An employer has an affirmitive duty to remove those who assault form the workplace, that is, providing a safe workplace.

Please post a link to the law that requires an employer to fire the other employee.

lawbuff:

Coming from a woman, that seems like an odd statement.

That's a rather generalized perception of how women react to being slapped on the butt.  I went through a similar action; I assured the fool who did it that if he ever tried it again that his prefix title would become "Ms."  His attempt to gorilla-thump his chest turned him into a squirrel monkey.

This apparently was a first time incident with the OP.  So what are you suggesting?  That she cough up a $5000 retainer fee to attempt to file a civil suit over assault charges?  Do you really consider that to be an investment worth a 15 year career -- especially at THIS stage of national crises?

OP -- I understand the element of concern, perhaps fear.  Not everyone reacts the same to such incidents -- your fear could be because of something that transpired in your past; or it could be something about the guy that you simply don't trust. 

It's unclear how long ago this took place, but it doesn't come across as "current" if you state it has affected your work performance because of your fear.  An option is to discuss the fear with your Doc to determine if you should remain in that environment, or seek employment elsewhere.

The fact is that the employer resolved the situation.  What occurred is in the coworker's records.  Any suggestive statement, bad behavior directed to you and coming from him should be immediately reported.  If it continues, contact EEOC.  But, at this stage of events, I don't see grounds for a lawsuit.

Maybe an attorney would.  Talk with an attorney.

Thank you everyone for your opinions. It is just frustrating knowing that I have been a dedicated employee to this company and have always went above and beyond of what was asked of me. Was I expecting this employee of 3 years to be fired? Yes.  There should be no exception to workplace violence. How would any of you like it if someone at work just came up to you and punched you in the stomach or for men, right in the testes? My guess it wouldn't sit to well with any of you.  I guess I could call the police and have him arrested for assault. For the time being I will continue to work there until something better comes along. Already my co-workers notice the change in my work performance. Asking me whats wrong? I cannot talk about it or I will be fired. Go figure. I will offer this company no more than what my normal work duties are. Its too bad they are going to lose an employee like me over a slob like him. But if thats what they want in their company then more power to them.

bjackson67:

Its too bad they are going to lose an employee like me over a slob like him. But if thats what they want in their company then more power to them

Don't let this clown win.  If you leave, he wins.  If you stay, he has to see you and know that if he hiccups wrong he's probably toast.  That seems like pretty good punishment to me. 

bjackson67:

Its too bad they are going to lose an employee like me over a slob like him. But if thats what they want in their company then more power to them

Don't let this clown win.  If you leave, he wins.  If you stay, he has to see you and know that if he hiccups wrong he's probably toast.  That seems like pretty good punishment to me. 

bjackson67:

I will offer this company no more than what my normal work duties are. Its too bad they are going to lose an employee like me over a slob like him. But if thats what they want in their company then more power to them.

Yes.  It is unfortunate.  Likewise, it's a shame that an employee who was there for 1/5th the amount of time as you has the ability to disrupt what I'm guessing to be an otherwise contented and stable life.

You aren't reverting the "power" to the company.  It's being given -- by you -- carte blanche to the guy still working there; and your plan, apparently, is to be spiteful to the employer. 

As an FYI, the majority of people who "claim" fear have an inability to be vindictive ... They just can't plan ahead.  If you are discouraged because your situation didn't cost someone his job, then I do agree:  You might consider searching for another job.

Good luck.

Coming from a woman, that seems like an odd statement. Just because YOU got over it, that means nothing.

What if the assault was a punch in the face?

 You minimize the assault because it was sexual in nature, the courts make no such distinction.

The issue here is that I know exactly what the OP experienced, which you do not.  I am not minimizing the incident; I am putting it in perspective, which is something the OP is failing to do.  And yes, in terms of the trauma involved and likely injury, there is a huge difference between a slap on the fanny and a punch in the face.

You presumably have no frame of reference for this incident. I do.

I think you should work with a therapist to address your extreme anxiety.

It was wrong but it was not violent and the offender was punished. There's no reason to be fearful and certainly no basis for legal action.

The biggest difference is that the punch in the face is a VIOLENT assault. That would have been escalated to a police matter.

This is a non-violent assault and Beth is right on the money. If the OP chooses to let the other person have this power over her, so be it. SHe can address it through therapy but there's no basis for legal action. The employer has taken the required action.