Thread regarding Nike Inc. layoffs

I've met a lot of hysterics, so accusations mean nothing.

Ok me again. Do not do apologize or talk to your supervisor. Do not do this. The person telling you this is an idiot. If they want to have further discussions they need to be done with HR present. Do not have any discussions with this individual and her boss. If she is accusing you then she needs to formally accuse you with HR in the room. HR s---s but don’t do anything without them present. If you are accused of something you didn’t do you should get a lawyer and file suite against this individual for defamation of character. At this point the damage is done. You have been accused. Make her prove this in court. It’s also a use case for HR I am sure the hot line is filled all kinds of JR high drama at point. HR can’t assume everyone is guilty. If you do get screwed pull in Matt or one of the other media members here for advice. They all have posted their signal numbers and email.

Don’t apologize whatever you do it will just make you look guilty. It’s unfortunate that everyone is guilty until proven innocent.

Some ideas. would start by pulling l every email and any communication you have on record with this person and print them/save. I would also go back in time and extract all your meetings and try to identify the specific meetings you are in with this individual. Print those out too. If you are called in you should ask for specifics including time date of the meeting she felt uncomfortable in. If she does have the details cross reference all meetings she was offended in with your PTO and if you accepted/decline. Hell - I would have them pull your badge data on days she is accusing you to see if you were even in the building. I would also make an effort to arrive to any meeting you are having with this individual early let her choose her seat. It really s---s a-- that proof is no longer require in the meetoo world. I think It’s just as bad for an individual to be wrongfully accused as it is to be accused.

Omg. What a spoiled society. A man cannot look at a woman.

Even if you like her. So what?

We became such a gentle, soft, vulnerable creatures...

It’s OK to be attracted.

It OK to be liked.

It’s OK to make compliments

It’s OK to cherish women

It’s not OK to be annoying if she says “stop. I don’t like it”

It’s not OK to force somebody to do something simply because you’re stronger/powerful/woman/man/boss/etc

The world gone crazy.

Then we see psychos shooting others.

I'll start by saying, yes I am seeking another job and everything is documented. The issue is three fold.

First issue: my job gave me a "new hire" assessment test after being there for years. I was told, I had to get a 90% or better or else I'd get fired and that my entire team was required to take it. I was given 4 different tests, stressed me to hell and back, never scored a 90% but then was told "oh we were just seeing how you'd do". I am still to this day the only person who had to take the test.

Second issue: I am being forced to sit by the bathroom. It's loud, it's smelly, and frustrating to listen to nonstop for 8 hours. They did not offer me a suitable replacement seat (also by the bathroom).

Third issue: I was given a b---s--- writeup for something that happened 6 months prior. TLDR: I told a techie joke that had nothing to do with race, s-xual orientation, gender, politics, etc (all the stuff that's not okay to discuss at work)

Do I have any legal remedies for this? I get that OR is a right to work state, but I'm at the end of my wits and I have no idea what directions to go into. It's a private company so I don't even know if EEOC can come into play.

Any advice is appreciated because I can't make the stress go away.

The unfortunate bottom line here is that she's interpreting your behavior as uncomfortable and directed toward her. I agree with the other posters as far as making a point to sit away from her. From there, you have two ways to go:

1) You should make it a point to apologize, in person, and in a reasonably public area (e.g. not alone in the break room, but maybe out near the water cooler) and let her know that you've thought about what she had to say, and you'll do your best not to repeat the behavior. It would probably also be a good idea to casually bring up your concern with your supervisor the next time he/she asks how you're doing. -OR-

2) Discuss the incident with your supervisor first. Some women are sadly inclined to over-dramatize their interactions with men in the workplace (and in life). She may have a history of doing this that your supervisor can help with. It's also possible that for some reason, you just hit her "creepy" meter, in which case there isn't much you can do to fix it except not interact with her to whatever extent is possible in your team environment. Your supervisor needs to be the mediator in this situation, because it has the potential to affect the working capacity of the team. In this case, you could ask your supervisor to sit in on a conversation in which you apologize as above.

I'm not suggesting you've done anything wrong, here, but in my experience women are much more likely than men to report s-xual harassment to their superiors. You don't want to sit through an investigation if you don't have to - even if you're found blameless in the situation, it will follow you around the company in your personnel file, waiting to be looked at every time you get a review or are being considered for a promotion.

Here's another important part: Get yourself a notebook, and write down the original conversation, with a date if you remember it. Write down your apology, and anything she had to say as a response, with a date. Write down your conversation with your supervisor, with a date. Just the facts as you saw/experienced them, not any judgments or opinions. Keep this notebook with you in your personal bag or a locked drawer (as opposed to in a publicly accessible area of your desk).