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Title says it all. I caught him doing it to me 3 times, and last week another colleague caught him taking pictures of another woman without her consent. So it became common knowledge to the entire team that he's been taking pictures of us women. She gave her notice right away and is considering reporting him.
I caught him over a year ago taking pictures of me, over that time I caught him doing it 2 more times. I addressed it with him the second and third time very seriously and threatened to bring this to authorities. I never saw him do it again.
I was blinded sided by alot of factors about how serious this has been. When I knew that another colleague became a victim by him (and not just me), it made me open my eyes about everything. I was gaslighting myself about his predatory behaviour and the unsafe environment he has created for us women. I work for a very small private healthcare clinic and we do not have an assigned manager, HR or union rep. He is also the owner of the clinic and a healthcare professional who is licensed.
SO, I contacted a civil lawyer who works with harassment cases and he gave me 4 solid options:
1 - Do no leave company: Address issue in writing with Owner, set boundaries, request change in working hours, negotiate privately pain and suffering settlement. (No official reporting). If he is caught again, file suit
2- Leave company Immediately under Constructive Dismissal: Negotiate severance compensation/contractual compensation/ lost wages/ job transition. This would be done between me and the owner, with or without lawyers to help negotiate. My lawyer believes he could negotiate a $12,000 - $15,000 private settlement. This would be done privately without filing suit against him, and most importantly NOT reporting him to his licensing body/ making a complaint (if I did, there is a high chance that he would be suspended and/or lose license/lose his business of 15years)
3 - Leave company with 3 months notice: Negotiate severance compensation/contractual compensation/ lost wages/ job transition. Basically the same terms as Option 2, but I will request 3 months notice for me to find a different job, and for him, he can also find a replacement. This would be somewhat hard, but beneficial for both parties. I could also negotiate a positive reference if I give a 3 months notice. Part of the settlement would be to keep this confidential between him and I. He gets his privacy and keeps his business, I am given a positive reference for my next job as well as the private payout as option 2. I also would have less owing in lawyer fees and would keep most of the private settlement compared to filing suit
4- Quite immediately and File suit: Because fuck him and let's push it as far as it can go, he would lose his practice/clinic/reputation. My lawyer believes I could get a $15,000 - $20,000 settlement. I would lose a 5+ year reference and I would have to disclose to future job prospects that I sued my previous boss for harassment/ or it may be plastered within our city/community because its a juicy story. I may be subject to victim blaming, other companies may not hire me because they may see me as a liability as a sued my previous boss for sexual harassment.
I've been juggling between all of these options but I would love to hear from this amazing FDS community. Please help me brainstorm any ideas/opinions!
Which route would you take?
1
2
3
4
Edit: typos
I left corporate because of SH and I did sue my employer.
Important context: the first whistleblower is crucified. But, they put a spotlight on what's going on, and others tend to look. The cost is high.
Given my experience, I vote for either 2 or 4. I'm inclined to see how badly you can fuck him with a private settlement, but if he won't play ball, detonate him. Sounds like you've got a good lawyer. Unleash him.
Don't worry about losing a 5 year reference, he won't give you one anyways. That's easy to massage. I never disclosed to anyone the real reason I left that job, you won't either. It would be great if this creep was exposed on the front page of the newspaper. That's the public shame he deserves for this extracurricular activity he chooses to do.
Hope this helps
I'm sorry you have to go through this, it is a hard choice to make. Since all the options have their drawbacks, and in the spirit of FDS, maybe I would try to go for the one that feels the most beneficial to you. That is, the option with which you feel you can maximize your well-being in general. It is you who can best decide which scenario feels the least draining for your finances, peace of mind or professional career.
The one option I would rule out is the first one. You don't deserve to spend a significant amount of your time working for a man that is unable to observe basic boundaries, that, in short, doesn't respect you.
By consulting a lawyer and considering these different options you are managing a very uncomfortable situation in an intelligent and proactive way. So congratulations!! With those skills, I am sure you can find a job where you can thrive without the burden of a predatory boss. I will love to hear how well you are doing, and merry Christmas!! (PD. English not my first, sorry if anything sounds weird)
I would go with #4 and sue him as he deserves a severe consequence .. if #4 is too much for you then #2 can still get you something. Going to court is not an easy process and add stress and a huge toll on you so make sure you do what’s best for you always.