Hello all, i’m not entirely sure if this situation fits here but here goes. TW for r*pe and harassment. this is also a rather long post because i don’t want to omit any details.
I work at a chain store. for context, the characters in this story are “High Manager (F40)”, “Mid Manager (F40)”, and “culprit (M36)”, who is also a mid-level manager.
Culprit works in an area of the store with primarily female minors, and the other two managers work in the back-of-house.
Four months ago, Culprit had sx with one of his subordinates, F17. The consent laws in my state say, the age of consent is 16, as long as the older party is not in a position of authority over them (coach, teacher, anyone in uniform, MANAGER, etc.) F17 was at the age of consent, yes, but Culprit was in a position of power over her. This qualifies as statutory rpe in my state. Keep in mind, Culprit also makes comments about other female coworkers and subordinates, minor or not, fairly regularly (including in front of male customers), has been openly homophobic, and has bragged in the back-of-house about the sxual relations he has had with other people under him. The most our HR has done, is give him a slap on the wrist (a few times). High Manager will not do anything, because she has ALSO slept with him. this is a big HR no-no, and would not fly for High Manager. it’s a “i go down, you go down with me” situation between him and her.
When I was 17, i was sxually assaulted (not statutory) so this entire situation feels personal to me. I do not like being around Culprit, he creeps me out and genuinely brings up trauma for me. I started sharing my feelings with a couple of coworkers i am relatively close with, big mistake on my part i guess. Here is where the antiwork, anti HR comes in.
this morning, Mid Manager scolded the entire team for “gossip”. she said “I have heard some nasty rumors going around, and I’m not going to call you out and put you on the spot, but just know that gossip is worse than harassment, it is workplace violence, and you are LUCKY that HR has not opened an investigation and fired you”. i almost couldn’t contain my laughter because of the sheer absurdity.
also more context: these aren’t just rumors. another Mid Manager has screenshots and proof directly from F17 that had been shown to High Manager weeks ago.
they are protecting him by threatening to get us fired for talking to each other about him literally r*ping a minor. He has suffered no consequences. in fact, he is currently dating another girl who is barely legal, and the managers all banded together and got her moved to the back-of-house where she “technically wouldn’t be his subordinate”. it makes me sick to see such a “reputable” place with a “progressive, awesome HR” band together to not only protect, but CATER to this asshole.
TL;DR one of my managers statutory r*ped a fellow employee, other managers and higher ups are protecting him from consequences to save their own ass.
Is there anything I can realistically do? i’ve been on the verge of a breakdown all day, i don’t want to go back after such a big wake up call. but i also want this guy to get his just desserts.