I’ve posted a couple times before, so this is an update.
I work in HR for a London tech company, and for the last 7 years I’ve been harassed, sexually assaulted, and bullied by one of the senior directors. I reported it to the CEO (as I’m Head of HR, it took HR out of the equation) back in April. Unfortunately the CEO is good friends with the senior director, which hasn’t lead to a fair and impartial process.
The senior director was first told of my April grievance, in August, over dinner and drinks with the CEO. The senior director said I was lying, and proceeded to threaten a counter grievance against me for slander. He also got one of his reports to claim that I’d been bullying him (by the report excluding me from meetings, and being rude to me. Not sure of the logic there). As the senior director had said he didn’t do, the company believed him, branded me a liar, and threatened me with multiple grievances if I continued to pursue my own grievance.
The senior director claimed that he and I had a quirky sexual relationship, where he could say sexual things to me. The truth was that he said sexual things to me in meetings, and I was so uncomfortable with it that I’d avoid being alone with him, and invite other people to attend with me.
I’ve spent the last year wearing a rape alarm to work, just to feel safe.
I did the only thing I could and found a new job. I’m currently working out my notice, on anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication, and having to go to therapy. Meanwhile the CEO is continuing to threaten me, saying that I need to withdraw my grievance made in April (which they have never heard), or they’ll bad mouth me to my new employer. If I go through with the grievance hearing, which they’ve been diligent in telling me they don’t believe, They’ll pile up the counter grievances, and also give me a bad reference. They would like me to sign a settlement agreement for no money, in exchange for giving me a good reference.
Meanwhile a man who assaults and harasses women continues to work in the company, with no repercussions whatsoever.