I need help with a Promotional Interview question about Sexual Harrassment.?
Scenario. A subordinate comes to you and tells you that she is being harrassed sexually by your friend and fellow lead officer (Corporal). What should I do. Tell my supervisor (Sergeant) what she told me. Do I talk to him about it? I can't write him up because we are both the same rank. Do I talk to a Manager about the situation after getting both sides of the story? This is for a promotional question and I need to nail it, last time i bombed on this question.
Last time I answered that I would get the entire story from her about it, than I would take it to my Sergeant and have him take it from there. I think they were looking for me to talk to the both of them seperate and to let the other Cpl. know that if it continues I would have to let a higher ranking officer know.
Any insight??
Answers:
If it's for promotion, there's a manual for this somewhere that outlines the steps. It sounds like you're military, and the rules can be very different from civilian law, so make sure you know the difference.
In a civilian setting, you would go to the person supervising the accused harasser and report them, as the harasser is at your same level. That person would do the investigation of his subordinate. You do not interrupt the chain of command and investigate someone else's subordinate!
You would get your subordinate's side of the story. A lot of companies mandate that this be handled by a neutral third party from HR, or in your case, probably JAG.
I believe the correct action would be to report it to your supervisor or to the company commander. The commander is the one that has the obligation to investigate it, so you shouldn't confront the alleged "harrasser."
Go straight to HR and they will conduct an investigation. Delicate situations like these are best handled by people who stand on neutral ground like HR.
As her officer, you have a responsibility to her to take her claim seriously. I'm not military, but I believe this question can be answered with a common sense approach.
Meet with the alleged harrasser and explain that one of your subordinates (don't name names) has brought a sexual harrassment concern to your attention. Then explain what constitutes sexual harrassment and confirm that the person understands. Then advise him that with this understanding you expect to not have any other concerns brought to your attention, and that if you do, you will have no choice but to escalate the complaint. Of course, you also need to have the same conversation with the accuser. What one person feels is sexual harrassment may be very far from what is really happening.
Frankly, I thought you had it right the first time but they are obviously looking for option 2. I can understand why they would want you to thoroughly investigate the allegation of sexual harassment. I would talk to your friend but I don't believe I would say stop or I will report you. I think I would just ask him to tell me his side of what happened. Once you have heard both stories and contacted any witnesses to any of the harassment than you can go to your superior officer and present him/her with a complete report. This will enable your manager to make the correct decision regarding the incident.
yea ur right talk to both parties then based on the evidence make a decision.
Go to your higher up, not tell the details, but asked he to speak to the subordinate and the one she is talking about. Why would write up anyone until you knew both sides of the issue
**********YOU OWN THIS PROBLEM NOW*************
She told you, you out rank her, it's your job to handle it.
To make it official, she needs to confront her perpetrator, your friend and let him know that his action offends her.
Once she does that, it's time to follow your offices sexual harassment policy to a T. Do everything by the book, and do not discuss it with anyone - including your friend.
For starters you to report to somebody cause if she laid charges (Legally)
YOU would be just as responsible for the Harassment as the person who does it
Put yourself in her shoes or picture a time in your life when your supervisor talk down to you or even said something to somebody about you or abuse of authority or made you feel uncomfortable all this is Harassment So do the right thing not just for you but for the person being harassed This is very serious DO SOMETHING
First, it sounds as if you are military -- I would put the question under the military heading as other military personnell would possibly read and be able to discuss it with you.
Second, there is likely something someplace that indicates how to handle sexual harassment. I can understand why they would not want you to go to your supervisor on this situation. They are considering you for promotion, and they do expect a certain level of independence. Likewise, depending on what branch you are in, there may be different steps.
The biggest question I have is why do you feel that the second answer you gave is correct. Was it something said to you after the exam? If it was, then I would listen to what was said.
Once you report this to a superior, and they must handle it, it will have to go on record for your fellow officer. If it is nothing but some person trying to pit you against your fellow officer, then you have harmed someone without intent. So you do need to investigate it. You do not need to name names, and, in fact, I would try to avoid that if at all possible.
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