Help! I've been accused of harassment! 03-11-2009

I had a conversation/joking with a woman at work. At one point I asked what is her waistline and asked her permission to measure it. She said yes, but a few days after she filed a complaint, saying I had no permission. Right now I am so emotionally stressed as this will affect my family. What should I do?

Ann Kiernan replies:

The most important thing you can do is cooperate and tell the truth in the internal investigation. Tell the investigator you realize you showed bad judgment, that you are sorry, and that it certainly will not happen again. Ask if you can apologize to the woman who complained.

If you have a clean record, and the incident is as minor as you describe it, you should be OK. Good luck.

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