What should I do about my manager who harasses my subordinate? 05-04-2005

We have a warehouse manager who, even though he has a desk of his own, insists on having some of his things in the receptionist's desk on one side and some between the desk and the wall. In order to get to the tools along side of the wall he has to almost if not actually rub against the lady at the desk. I previously moved the things to the transportation desk as an alternative to his desk as his desk is in the warehouse and is sometimes subject to the elements. I mentioned this action to my employer so he could back me up on this action, and told the warehouse manager that I wanted the new receptionist to have the desk to herself so as to avoid an incident with him. Later he and my employer both had a good laugh at my expense stating that the last receptionist had left because he had asked her if he could keep his cookies in her desk. Since then all of the things have been moved back into and beside the desk allowing him to continue his thing. Today he received a postcard from my boss from Hawaii with a picture of a woman wearing a very revealing bikini. Instead of putting it with his things he left it face up in her basket so that it could be observed by others. I told him to put it on his desk, but was ignored. I just want to know how much more of this type of thing we (females) have to endure? What can I do to prevent this from continuing?

Rita Risser replies:

If this wasn't so sad, it would be funny. The guy sounds pathetic. If women are quitting because of it, it probably is illegal. As a supervisor, you have a duty to prevent harassment, even if it is coming from your boss. Report this to your company's Human Resources Department.

Good luck!

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