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I began
working for a large retailer when I was 17, starting as a cashier. Within a year
I made my way through the store and was eventually promoted as an Assistant
Manager with the help and support of my mentor and store manager. Shortly after
my promotion, rumors were spread by another manager stating that the Store
Manager and I were having an affair. At this time I had just turned 18, and the
Store Manager was 47 and married.
Although we knew who was spreading these rumors and had statements by associates that he had said this, the company took no action against him. Instead it had a full investigation of the store that I was working at to investigate the rumors. No apologies or anything was ever said to me about the situation by anyone except for the store manager.
So everything calmed down... or so I thought. Eight months after my initial promotion, I transferred to a neighboring store for another promotion. I am now 19 and effectively managing a high-volume store. Sales have increased, a better team atmosphere has been created, and the store looks great. I also work very well with my new, female Store Manager.
After I had been at the new store for a couple of months, problems began arising with an associate. He managed to arrange a meeting with the District Manager, his mother and himself. In this meeting, his mother said flat out that I was sleeping with my old store manager. For some reason she believed that's why her son was unable to perform well at work.
But since this meeting I have had harassing phone calls from the mother and other people that they know. I have also had them come into the store and make a scene calling me a bimbo and unfit to manage a store, implying that I had slept my way to where I was. They come in and call when I am the only manager in the building. It is making me very uncomfortable to be in the store without my store manager there though. It is making me very uncomfortable to be in the store period.
Now the issue here is harassment. No matter what I do in my personal life it is nobody's business but my own. I do not talk about my personal life at work. I do not go out with any coworkers. And I do not bring people I know into the store to meet other people.
My question is about how the company should be dealing with this. They do not speak to me about the situation. I only hear about it from my store manager "off the record." And is my age a factor? I know it would have to be if I were under 18. But this is embarrassing for me. I'm trying to build a career and someone, without proof, threatens to ruin it. How am I supposed to do what my manager has told me to do, which is to be nice to the associate and just forget about everything that he is saying. Could you?
Young & Successful
Dear
Y&S:
No I couldn't. Keeping the numbers up at your new store should help deal with the harassment however, being accused falsely of bedding your way up is defamation if done in the presence of others. You can so inform your accusers and if necessary ask a magistrate for a restraining order. Before doing so, consult a good lawyer and so inform your manager of your plans to do so. Also consult with her regarding having another associate present when you are at work. This is an unusual case of what appears to be wild-eyed accusations.
I don’t want to worry your more, but verbal abuse (putting down an assistant manager) could be a prelude to violence. That is something that should worry your manager. I think your manager should arrange for you to meet with a manager of Human Relation and/or with whoever is charged with sexual harassment matters. From what you report, just ignoring this matter or behaving as if it never happened is not a proper course for your company. A company is responsible not only to investigate rumors but also for dealing with harassment that is causing a hostile environment.
Keep your cool as much as possible. By as possible, I mean to be all business. As possible also all means don’t forget to laugh under your breath at those busy bodies who seek to feel good by saying you are not ok. Will you let us know what you do and what help your organization provides?
WEGO will survive petty self-serving.
Bill Gorden