I worked at a large corporation a few years back and was working in a back room one day--I was counting inventory tags. The whole area was cleared of personnel and I was the last one in the area. I was a supervisor and the VP of our division walked in. I said "Hi Bob" and continued on my task.
Bob walked over to the desk, though he didn't say a word. I looked up. He stared at me, right in the eye. I stared back--it was odd for him to be so silent. He put his right foot up on the wooden chair that was next to the desk, looked at his left hand and proceeded to grab his balls. He fondled himself with such gusto I was astounded. I could only stare in shock.
Bob looked at me, then continued to give himself a handjob. I was T-E-R-R-I-F-E-D!!!
I grabbed up the remaining inventory tickets, I said "I'm done." and RAN! I wasn't done and actually could have messed up the inventory for that sector. All I knew is that the VP was standing in the office of the farthest, back part of our warehouse and he was wacking off.
I ran to the front office, found our manager, a woman, and told her what happened. She told me to calm down, get my tags in order and meet her in her office. I did and went to her office.
History: Bob, from the day I started, was a Boob Starer. He would stare at your chest while putting his hands in his pockets. He always wore a suit and would never talk to your face, only your chest. It didn't matter if you were 18 or 60, or if you looked like Yoda. He stared at womens breasts. I pointed out numerous times to my manager, Betty, how uncomfortable this made me. She always told me to shut up. Bob, I knew, was a son-in-law of one of the Board of Directors. He was a complete loser, IMO, who got his job due to Neopotism.
All the security guards knew about Bob and were told to follow at a distance when he was in the warehouse. Just in case Bob decided to act upon his impulses. (I found this out waaayyy later)
When I met Betty in her office that day, Bob never came back to the front office. Betty came back and told me the best thing would be to forget it ever happened. I told her I couldn't. He was digusting. He was beating off in front of me!!! She should understand. She said she did, however, both our jobs were on the line if I said anything to anyone. I couldn't believe she would tell me that. I asked to go home early. She let me.
I told my husband who wanted to go find Bob and beat the crap out of him. Between him and some friends, I was advised to call the company hotline and report Bob. I did and was told an investigation would ensue. I told them of Bob's history and all of my complaints. An investigation was opened.
A few days later things at work changed. Suddenly the security guards were following me around. I was being stalked around the building. I told all the other supervisors what happened. Men and women, they all agreed it was only a matter of time before Bob was caught doing something like that and they were thrilled that someone finally called Bob to task and reported him. They also said they saw him staring at women for years. All the women said he did it to them and all of their subordinates. I asked why no one had called the hotline before. They pretty much agreed that it was an unknown entity and were afraid to.
As I would walk through the warehouse, I would look at the security cameras, and mouth "Fuck you". I had to. The guards used to be my friends-co-workers. We were trying to do the same thing--get the product in and out without being stolen by employees. Now, I was being stalked by them--all because of Bob. I knew that they had been told to watch me and make sure I was just doing my job--supervising other employees and make sure I wasn't talking too much. They interrupted me if I talked to someone too much.
About three weeks later, I got called in to HR. The VP of HR, the President of our division was there, my manager and I. They said they were really disappointed that I hadn't taken Betty's advise (shut up and ignore what happened) and escalated the situation to corporate. As a result of that investigation, it was found that Bob did nothing wrong and he had a severe medical condition which required him to put his hands in his pockets and fondle himself periodically.
Jock itch. They said this sick bastard had jock itch and that was why he had to give himself a hand job, alone with me, in a back room. It wasn't sexual harassment. It was jock itch.
Since they felt the trust was broken with me, I was let go. I was given 2 weeks pay. Oh, and COBRA.
Was that Sexual Harassment?
I thought so, I never bothered to see an attorney. I couldn't believe that could happen. I asked if I could say good-bye to my co-workers and they let me. I told every employee what happened. They were appalled. I told them that unless someone else reported Bob, he would continue and the company would get away with it. Someone had to report him. They agreed, though they were full of hot air. No one did. They needed their jobs and the company effectively shut them up by firing me.
I have never shopped at that company and wish them ill. I hope they go bankrupt.
Bottom line? People who have power over another should keep it in their pants/skirt. If they can't then throw the book at them. They are in a position of power for a reason.