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Antiwork

Sexual harrasment and toxicity

A few months back, I (44M) was hired at a small company to do admin support. A big part of my job is to support the board. On my first day of interacting with board members (as well as never having taken minutes before, mind you) I was sexually harrassed in a committee meeting with four BMs (50-70Fs), the Director (50F) and myself. I was told to stop takibg notes as they had an off record talk. The lead forgot to tell me start taking notes again, so another BM chimed in and said “You gotta turn him on XXX!” And all the women started laughing like teenagers, repeating it “Go on, turn him on! Hahaha!” As one of two males working at this business, I felt belittled, humiliated, and powerless. Fast forward about six months. The same BM who made that commebt has repeatedly made trashy comments, snide remarks,…


A few months back, I (44M) was hired at a small company to do admin support. A big part of my job is to support the board. On my first day of interacting with board members (as well as never having taken minutes before, mind you) I was sexually harrassed in a committee meeting with four BMs (50-70Fs), the Director (50F) and myself. I was told to stop takibg notes as they had an off record talk. The lead forgot to tell me start taking notes again, so another BM chimed in and said “You gotta turn him on XXX!” And all the women started laughing like teenagers, repeating it “Go on, turn him on! Hahaha!” As one of two males working at this business, I felt belittled, humiliated, and powerless.

Fast forward about six months. The same BM who made that commebt has repeatedly made trashy comments, snide remarks, amd outright insults to me. So much thst after she said I lacked “professional judgment” that I broke. I'm angry. I went to HR to file a complaint.

During my meeting with HR, I wanted to know that if I filed this complaint that I would be protected from retaliation because I can see that happening very easily with this person. HR said “we will give everyone a fair chance to air their concerns” and that while I wouldnt be fired for making the complaint, I “could be let go for any other violation.”

So, question is: to file or not to file the complaint?

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