(OT) POWER of the Web (and apologies) *DELETED*

[AMF]

Slynky,

Eager to help in all possible ways.

Do you have a lawyer? Many lawyers will work pro bono, especially if the case is so cut and dried as this sounds like it is.

Also, it sounds like you have threatened legal action, right? In my experience, some government agencies are very aware of the possible repercussions to legal action, so such threats work well - if you haven't done it already, I suggest it. Although it sounds like you have.

You don't even need a formal lawyer to work with you, just a relationship with one. For example, I have a standing arrangement with a good friend of mine who is a lawyer that he is "on retainer" to me - becuase I once a long time ago gave him a dollar. Ever since then, in the few cases where it was needed, he was willing to write and sign letters that end with his signature and "esq" - it's amazing how much a company jumps when they get a letter from a lawyer, even if no legal action results in the end.

Also, did you contact the EEOC? (Equal Employment Op Commission IIRC). I think they have good resources on this.

Actually, you've probably already done all this, eh?

There must be a lawyer group in GA that would be able to give you referrals as well...

Let me know if there is anything I can do up here. I'm in Norfolk, but can get to DC to get anything you might need.

I sympathize - my wife and I work for the Navy and, like you, I'm an old fart but my wife is young and hot, and, well, you can imagine the sh*t she puts up with at a Navy command...

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask for any favors!

(and, don't even THINK about doing Zeta turns until you feel like it! Yeesh, priorities!)

Alarik

[Possum]

Gah, that's awful

It's a shame there are jerks out there who have to behave like this toward women, and even worse that they so often get away with it.

I remember my grandmother telling me about this sort of thing being done to her as a young woman, (sometime in the early 1930's), back when a woman had no recourse.

I certainly wish you a happy resolution to all this, and that the polecat in question may get his proper comeuppance.

[Alneyan]

After having thought about a answer for quite a while, I am pleased to present my results: hardly anything at all.

So, I will merely wish you well in your fight Slynky, as I cannot really do anything else (except an attempt at levity perhaps). If all else fails, my Pandora vessel remains at your disposal as usual.

A bit more on topic: besides the harrasment itself, I must admit I am quite bothered about the "going part on a previous agreement" part as well. Not only is this simply going back to the same situation as before (despite what had happened back then, as it had been acknowledged with the first decision), but it is also carefully breaking the formal agreement made at that moment, without even making a meagre allusion to that previous decision of "moving the harrassing person somewhere else, to never, ever, been seen again". Are such decisions expected to "only Last until further notice, or when they are no longer convenient, whichever happens first", and I am simply being naïve?

[Slynky]

Alneyan said:A bit more on topic: besides the harrasment itself, I must admit I am quite bothered about the "going part on a previous agreement" part as well. Not only is this simply going back to the same situation as before (despite what had happened back then, as it had been acknowledged with the first decision), but it is also carefully breaking the formal agreement made at that moment, without even making a meagre allusion to that previous decision of "moving the harrassing person somewhere else, to never, ever, been seen again". Are such decisions expected to "only Last until further notice, or when they are no longer convenient, whichever happens first", and I am simply being naïve?

This is one of the problems. For some strange reason, the outcome of her complaint years ago will not be given to her. All she was allowed to receive was a copy of her complaint. Seems funny (read: suspicious) to me. Like, the victim in a rape trial isn't allowed to see what the punishment was for the convicted rapist.

I know it's going to sound bad but since the guy who did this is black, his attorney is black, the judge is black, and the civil right/EEO officer in our office is black, well, you can imagine my worries as discrimmination and prejudice is NOT just a thing white people are quilty of.

[Slynky]

Thanks, Possum!

[spoon]

alarikf said:
Do you have a lawyer?

If you don't, get one. Before you do anything. Seriously.

Revenge is sweet, but has a tendency to come back and bite you on the arse. You may think you are helping, but you might end up getting your wife fired, yourself sued, and your wife's harrasser a promotion.

Good luck, Slynky.

[mottlee]

I agree there is NO place for someone to do that and get away with it! my Last job I replaced someone that was doing just that, the Co I went to work for had a zero tolerance (sp) rule on the books and was releast post hast. I say kick em where it counts! [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Hammer.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Bullets.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Grenade.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif[/img] read Sig

[Slynky]

mottlee said:
I agree there is NO place for someone to do that and get away with it! my Last job I replaced someone that was doing just that, the Co I went to work for had a zero tolerance (sp) rule on the books and was releast post hast. I say kick em where it counts! [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Hammer.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Bullets.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Grenade.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif[/img] read Sig

As in any situation like this, things escalate if a satisfactory solution isn't reached. If it turns out that she gets the bad end of the "justice stick", then we'll escalate.

[Slynky]

spoon said:

If you don't, get one. Before you do anything. Seriously.

Revenge is sweet, but has a tendency to come back and bite you on the arse. You may think you are helping, but you might end up getting your wife fired, yourself sued, and your wife's harrasser a promotion.

Good luck, Slynky.

Yes, this is true. I don't claim to be able to walk a "tight legal line" so before the website (and other avenues are looked into) gets "fleshed out", I'll consult. Also, since my job is in the same office as hers is, I realize I could get fired (and that would be a disaster having both of us out of work) so assuming she won't be working there after they can't come up with a just solution, she'll do the website and she can't be fired for it (since she will already be finished with them). Only remaining possibility is that there is some law (or government regulation) that prohibits any kind of revealations such as the website would be doing (and, therefore, there might be other consequences).

[Slynky]

alarikf:

I would post a quote but you typed such a long message .

Mostly, moving to legal aid is just future option. Finding someone who will review the case and take it on a contingency fee is a possibillty. Also, thought about looking around for some assistance/advice from NOW (National Organization of Women). Problem is, we have some money saved up and to hire an attorney that we have to pay could turn out being the way that we lose our money...the very money we may need to help tide us over till she can find another job. Around $10K in the bank, but that can go quite quickly with the money the government can throw at the case. So, it's a tough decision and IF (still hoping the local management can come up with a solution) we don't get a just solution, well...I guess we will be looking at all we can do. Ultimately, she may just move on, like so many women do (and I hate that...but it's ultimately her choice). Today, we drove to work to turn in her laptop and files (that she uses when she had her work-at-home days). I told her to hold her head high and just walk into the office but when the elevator arrived at ground level, she started crying and couldn't get off. So, I told her to wait in the car while I turned it in.

I hate them for what they are doing to her!