23 Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace for Illinois Professionals, 2nd edition: Summary
| SCENARIO 3 Ashley is a case manager with 15 years of experience and is a licensed clinical social worker who has applied for a promotion. Her manager is James, who is highly regarded by the leadership team because of the consistently high achievement of desired patient outcomes and his ability to run his unit within budget. Over the past six months, James has been making comments of an offensive sexual nature that are directed toward Ashley. These comments always occur out of sight and hearing of other people. These comments affect Ashley’s ability to concentrate, and she hates coming to work. Ashley decides to file a sexual harassment grievance. According to facility policy, the first step is to discuss the situation with her manager. Because her manager is the harasser, Ashley must go to a human resources counselor. When she meets with Marcie, the human resources counselor, Ashley says that she has been the victim of sexual harassment by her manager. Marcie is objective and open to discussion. Their conversation follows. Marcie: “Ashley, how long has James been making these comments?” Ashley: “A few months, maybe six or so. I’m not really sure. It seems like forever.” Marcie: “Do you have any documentation regarding what James said, when he said it, and where these conversations took place?” Ashley: “No, not really. I mean, I didn’t write things down. He used foul language and talked about what he’d like to do to me, sexually, I mean. It seemed like a lot. He says if I’m nice to him, I could get that promotion to clinical lead.” Marcie: “Did you get the promotion?” Ashley: “I don’t know. I haven’t heard.” Marcie: “Ashley, I must tell you that James has filed a sexual harassment suit citing you as the perpetrator. He has recorded dates and times of occurrences and what was said by each of you. He alleges that you offered to trade sexual favors to get that promotion. He has notified the Illinois Department of Human Rights.” Ashley is horrified. It is coming down to her word against James’s, and James has documented what he claims happened, including dates, times, and what was said. | SCENARIO 4 Marlena and her partner Jessica have been dating for nearly a year. They have been talking about moving in together. Both Marlena and Jessica work in a large school counseling department. Jessica is Marlena’s supervisor. As Marlena excitedly makes plans to move into Jessica’s apartment, something goes wrong. Jessica approaches Marlena and tells her, “I really don’t want to hurt you, but I’ve met someone else. We’re getting serious quickly, and she’s moving in with me next week.” Marlena is shocked and heartbroken. After a few days, sorrow turns to anger and, finally, a desire for revenge. Marlena makes up a documentation record of alleged sexual harassment occurrences. She cites Jessica as the harasser, claiming that Jessica used her power as supervisor to coerce Marlena into a sexual relationship. After an extensive investigation by the human resources department and the Illinois Department of Human Resources, it was determined that the allegations were false. Marlena was disciplined for making false claims against her supervisor.
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