Hello :-) Which Forum Do I Need For Sexual Harrassment From An Electricity Worker?

[Not_Having_It]

Hello,

I've just joined this site in the hope that I might be able to get some advice relating to a catalogue of incidents caused by an electricity company and in particular, two or three of its workers.


Having ignored me for a week or so and not calling me as promised, the company sent someone round, unannounced, with a bunch of flowers and a company apology. He went on to offer me financial compensation which I declined to accept because two of the individuals concerned have stated that the events I recounted to the company did not take place and have evidently declined to produce the written apologies I have requested.

So, this is really a question about compensation, particularly in regards to sexually threatening behaviour towards me whilst I was on my own property, plus trespass when they were wandering round my back garden without permission, plus a bit of property (plant) damage, plus blocking the access to my driveway with their vehicles and being moody about moving them further down so I could safely come out of my drive, plus one of them using my garden shed instead of a ladder (I'm amazed he didn't go through the shed roof, frankly) to get to a cable that had got tangled in next door's tree. As I said, it's a bit of a catalogue.

I'm new to the whole area of compensation claims, and really need some guidance on what to expect and how to negotiate.

I also need some guidance on where to post the details. Don't want to get off on the wrong foot by putting my post on the wrong forum, and really can't see where an issue like this should go.

All advice appreciated!


Thanks,

Not_Having_It

[Kati]

Re: Hello :-) Which Forum Do I Need For Sexual Harrassment From An Electricity Worke

I'm sure no-one will mind if you just put up your post on this thread

We're all a friendly bunch here on LB, and you are bound to get lots of good advice from people!!

Kati x

[Johnboy007]

Re: Hello :-) Which Forum Do I Need For Sexual Harrassment From An Electricity Worke

What evidence do you have of sexual harassment?
To get compensation you will need to provide concrete evidence of any offences that you allege took place.
So providing you have the evidence then LB can advise you further.

[ncf355]

Re: Hello :-) Which Forum Do I Need For Sexual Harrassment From An Electricity Worke

Were they in a company van?

This sounds VERY odd

(in no way doubting your word, more whether they were actually acting on behalf of the electric company - I cant think of any of them that would send someone round with flowers?)

Again, to reiterate, totally on your side here!

[Not_Having_It]

Re: Hello :-) Which Forum Do I Need For Sexual Harrassment From An Electricity Worke

I'm sure no-one will mind if you just put up your post on this thread

We're all a friendly bunch here on LB, and you are bound to get lots of good advice from people!!

Kati x

Thanks, Kati, and everyone else for the other replies.

I've just spent ages typing it all out, only for the page to be lost when I went to add a smilie :-(

I'll have to do it again later, unless I can get it to stick this time, because it's knackered me out.

But, yes, the company concerned is a real company. They are under contract to one of the energy companies to carry out cable refurbishment/upgrade work.

I've spoken at length with both companies, and they're evidently taking it all very seriously.

There were other things that happened, like blocking my driveway when I was trying to get to a doctor's appointment and being obnoxious about moving their vehicles, wandering round my back garden without asking us if it was ok for them to do so, jumping on my shed roof so they could reach a cable that had got tangled in next door's overhanging tree, aside from the sexual behaviour.

They initially admitted everything, especially the back garden stuff that they knew I had taken photos of, but when I asked for an apology from Mr Letcher and Mr Shed Jumper, things hit an impasse and Letcher changed his story from "I didn't realise she was that upset" to "I didn't do it".

The main power company who contracted them have taken it very seriously, and from what I can make out, the offending contracted company stand to lose their contract if this isn't resolved. The contracted company have been taking it very seriously, too, and were in ongoing communications with me about it, right up until the power company escalated it to their Legal dept and Senior HR when one of the managers found he'd hit an impasse with Letch and Shed refusing to apologise directly.

Briefly:

I'm a 52 year old breast cancer survivor (mastectomy, reconstruction, chemo, radiotherapy, anti hormone drugs, etc) who has been rendered chronically disabled and ill with severe fibromyalgia since 2007 from the cancer treatments.

I am in no way a sexually provocative figure. I do not have a set of double Gs stuck on my chest, and I am fat on steroids. And I'm 52. And a half and a bit.

They had blocked my exit from my driveway with two work trucks/lorries and I had gone to ask them to please move them further down the fenceline so I could see to get out onto the busy main road safely.

The man grinned, giggled, stared pointedly at my chest, then ducked behind his vehicle, only to re-emerge and repeat the process 2 or 3 times more. I was furiously upset and demanded to speak to someone else. When I say pointedly, I mean really very deliberately showing me he was staring at my chest and leering.

The someone else didn't have the trucks moved immediately, but stood talking and laughing at the passenger window of Mr Letch's truck for several minutes while I was still waiting in my car to get out of the drive.

By then I was very, very upset and angry, and I got out of my car and screamed "WILL YOU JUST MOVE YOUR F****ING LORRIES NOW!" which they then did.

Initially, when the company questioned them, they both independently and at separate times said "I didn't realise she was so upset," which clearly shows they had conferred about the best way they could get away with it. I was very obviously very upset.

They knew I had photos of them on the shed and wandering round the back garden, but obviously knew I hadn't gone out with a camera to ask them to move the lorries.

When I asked for written apologies from both of them, Mr Letch suddenly changed his story to denial. He's painted himself into a corner by not admitting what he did in the first place.

That the company sent the boss round, unannounced, on Friday afternoon, with a placatory bunch of flowers, a blanket company apology on behalf of the two men concerned, and an offer of financial compensation shows that they are taking it seriously enough to make it want to go away. The figures mentioned, given that their story has changed, I've been being ignored for over a week in the middle of what were ongoing communications, and my illness has been made worse by the stress and distress, were frankly insulting. On top of that, I have a history of sexual abuse, and whilst anyone who hasn't been through that will likely think this is a minor incident, to someone with my history it brings everything back up again. My history cannot be used to negate his behaviour however, because it is anyway unacceptable behaviour towards any woman.


I just need to know what the standard level of compensation is in cases like this. I'm not expecting millions, or tens of thousands, but feel that if they're going to be silly about this by denying it and refusing to apologise, I need to stand my ground in order to get some feeling of safety back again. If I let myself be bullied into submission by this, I will continue to feel as unsafe and vulnerable as I have done since it happened.

I did what anyone with my history does initially, ie, nothing. Went away and pretended it hadn't happened. It only came out when a second planned "shutdown' (power cut while they did things to electricity cables in the field behind our house) a few weeks later ran on for 5 hours longer than they'd said it would. I was on the phone asking when our power would be back on, and the customer services girl had me tell her everything that had happened.

[Johnboy007]

Re: Hello :-) Which Forum Do I Need For Sexual Harrassment From An Electricity Worke

Hi,
Not to put a damper on things....
Unfortunately from what you are saying, it is going to prove near impossible for you to prove the sexual harassment allegation.
Mr Letch has denied the claim, and if he says he was not looking at your chest, then you will never be able to prove it.
The only compensation you will be able to claim, is for what you can actually prove by way of damage to your property.
You will need to get estimates for any repairs to your property or personal goods that you allege were damaged by the employees of the electric company.
It would probably be better if you could negotiate with the electric company for any compensation for the damage and distress.
But as for the sexual side of your claim, I wouldn't hold out a lot of hope.
You can ask for a written apology from the two men, but do they have to give it?
The answer to that is, a resounding NO.
The electric company may very well offer a written apology but there the matter ends as far as apologies in writing are concerned.

[Not_Having_It]

Re: Hello :-) Which Forum Do I Need For Sexual Harrassment From An Electricity Worke

Johnboy, you're missing the point. Letch initially admitted it, then later changed his story. That, and the evidence of my reaction as seen by my partner, my GP, their boss, and others, is credible evidence in itself.

I have already had a company apology, written by their boss, but I've said since day one that I want personal apologies written by Letch and Shed individually. The boss knew this, because I was very clear about it,

He said at our unscheduled meeting that both men had offered to come round and apologise in person. I don't want either of them, but especially Letcher, anywhere near me ever again.

You aren't understanding the level of trauma here, or the lack of professionalism shown by these two people. (There was a third employee who lied to my face about someone jumping on my shed roof who has since been sacked when the boss caught him lying about other things. It was in response to his "I don't know what you mean, no-one was on your shed," that had me saying, "Mate, I SAW him. I took photos." I'm now wondering if I should have kept that to myself until later, because then the company's initial investigation into this would have shown if Shed was honest enough to own up to it as he did, but without knowing I had photos of him doing it.

Both companies, the main energy company and the contractors, know I'm telling the truth, and they are both appalled at the behaviour, and by the distress it's caused. Both of them are offering financial compensation. Both of them have apologised for the way I was treated by these employees. Both of their customer care teams have been great. Supportive. Helpful. Disgusted. There has been disciplinary action against everyone concerned, and they all got sent on a Customer Service course. They've also been told that one more strike and they're history. So the company have accepted that all these things happened.


I'm not vindictive. I'm not a money grabber. I have no history of this sort of complaint process. I have no wish to wreck anyone's livelihood. I don't want anyone sacked. In fact, one of the lads on the second shutdown, scheduled for 8.30am-4.30pm but ran until 9.50pm, was so pissed off at the company for putting us and 59 other households through a 13 1/2 hour power cut that he resigned at the meeting they had about the over-run, which made me sad, because he was a lovely lad, very under pressure and doing his best. He was also disgusted at the way the team on the first shutdown had behaved with the sexual behaviour and the rest of it. He didn't want to be part of a company that allowed that to happen. I'm sorry that he felt so badly that he left the company. I wish I had contact details for him so I could apologise to him for what happened to me leading him go give up his job.

Anyway. I would much rather it didn't get legal, but I'm not standing for someone back-tracking and lying about me, so if that means going to court and recounting it all again there, then I will do that. I've made that very clear, too. It feels more or less like it's degenerated into a game of Chicken. Letch and Shed are bluffing. All I'm doing is calling their bluff.

Incidentally, Boss told me that away from the initial meeting, they said I was shouting at them. It hadn't occurred to him that their report of me shouting at them can't be reconciled with their earlier insistence that they didn't realise I was that upset. If I was shouting at them (which I've already said I was, I've never tried to paint myself a polite saint here at any time, I've just recounted exactly what happened) and giving them grief, as they told him, then how could they have missed that I was upset? It's blatantly a lie for damage limitation purposes.

Sexual abuse, misconduct, or harassment is a massively hot potato for public companies at the moment. The apology letter carefully avoids any direct mention of it because of this.

If it was as clear cut as you say you think it is, there would be no need to avoid mentioning it because I wouldn't be able to do anything about it. Ergo, they are worried about it.

Letch is clearly worried about it, or else why would he offer to apologise in person but refuse to write a formal letter of apology? I would find the sight of him in close proximity to me far too traumatic to cope with, and I don't want this sleaze ball, who clearly thought the whole episode highly amusing, anywhere near me,

Leaving aside the fact that you don't think I've got a snowball's chance in hell, does anyone here know what the standard level of financial compensation is for proven cases of sexual harassment/misconduct/abuse towards a member of the public by an employee of a company, please?

[wales01man]

Re: Hello :-) Which Forum Do I Need For Sexual Harrassment From An Electricity Worke

Do you want Money from them? Or an apology?

[Not_Having_It]

Re: Hello :-) Which Forum Do I Need For Sexual Harrassment From An Electricity Worke

Please see above :tinysmile_twink_t2:

[Johnboy007]

Re: Hello :-) Which Forum Do I Need For Sexual Harrassment From An Electricity Worke

Hi,
I am not being vindictive towards you, and I certainly do understand the trauma that these things can cause.
I was once accused of sexual harassment by way of phone calls by a female co-worker, which dragged on for weeks.
She stated that she managed to get my works mobile phone number on her phone at home.
Had it not been for the mobile phone company, going through mounds of records, that it was established beyond any doubt, that the girl was lying. She did this to get back at me for telling her off over a job she missed. (I was her supervisor)
So I wasn't trying to belittle your case, or your attempt at claiming sexual harassment.
It is the proving of it, that is going to be extremely difficult, especially as he has now denied it.
Letch will not make a written apology, why? Because a written apology is an admission of guilt and is there for all to see.
Verbal statements can be denied and are extremely hard to prove., unless you have witnesses or recordings.
Now you say that both companies are offering compensation. For what? Damages to your property?
As you stated, nothing about sexual harassment has been mentioned, so I will discard the compensation offer for that.
I wouldn't even like to guess on figures for compensation for cases of sexual harassment/misconduct/abuse towards a member of the public by an employee of a company.
I would think it depends on the case and of any mitigating circumstances.
Now I have never stated that it is 'clear cut', so your statement to that effect is clearly flawed.
I have said, it is going to prove near impossible for you to prove the sexual harassment allegation.
And unless you have proof then it will be.
I fully understand your anxiety, frustration and anger over this issue.
I merely tell it how, from reading the posts, I see it.
There is no intent on my behalf. So please don't take this personally.

[Not_Having_It]

Re: Hello :-) Which Forum Do I Need For Sexual Harrassment From An Electricity Worke

Johnboy,
I didn't think you were being vindictive towards me! That isn't what
I meant at all! X

[Not_Having_It]

Re: Hello :-) Which Forum Do I Need For Sexual Harrassment From An Electricity Worke

Hi Johnboy,

I'm glad you were proven innocent of the allegation of sexual harassment from a pissed off colleague. People can be very spiteful, and it's good that the phone records proved her to be falsely accusing you.


I agree completely about Letcher's reluctance to write an apology. I thought I'd made that clear in earlier posts - I appreciate they're long and probably tedious to read all the way through, but it's obvious to me why he won't supply a written apology yet seems keen to deliver a verbal in person one.

I didn't ask for a written apology so I can take it to court. I asked for a written apology when the company offered to send the pair of them round in person to apologise because I don't want them here in person. It was, "They'll both come round and apologise," and me going "No! I don't want them here! They can write to me instead, please."

There was never a plan. It's just how the situation has developed. I'm not asking for compensation so I can use that to sue them.

I would prefer this was settled out of court, and I'm sure they'd prefer that too. We are already negotiating compensation which is based primarily around this sexual harassment/misconduct/abuse, and also includes the other issues I've explained above (driveway, shed, trespass, etc).


I've already accepted a fairly nominal amount from the power company that contracted the cabling company, because they acted very promptly and courteously, and I see limited responsibility on their behalf - they don't have any control over who the contractor employs to carry out the work. The responsibility must lie with the cabling company, and the cabling company are now also offering compensation for the behaviour of their employees, which is only as it should be.

I meant no offence by saying you thought it was clear cut. You seem very certain of an unsuccessful outcome for me, and that to me means you think it's clear cut. That's all I meant!


I didn't state that sexual harassment hasn't been mentioned. Both companies have talked to me about it at length, and are mortified it has happened. What I said was that the blanket apology from the contractor company (the cabling company) had avoided putting that phrase in the letter that Letch and Shed's boss wrote and brought round with the flowers on Friday.

I agree that without an admission of guilt, it is hard to prove sexual harassment/abuse/misconduct. That's how so many get away with it. There are rarely witnesses. It usually comes down to their word against the complainant's word.

IF it went to court, it would come down to who was the most believable. Given that Letch has lied twice already that the company know of, I'd be less worried about a court believing him more than me, because he's already changed his story from his initial "didn't realise" to "didn't do it." As it stands, both the power company and the cabling company know I'm telling the truth and believe me over him.


I'm not asking anyone to judge the situation.


All I'm asking is what would be considered an appropriate amount of financial compensation for sexual harassment in these circumstances so that I can continue the negotiations that started on Friday.

[wales01man]

Re: Hello :-) Which Forum Do I Need For Sexual Harrassment From An Electricity Worke

The amount of compo is for you to decide there cannot be any set figure in your mind you must think of an upper and lower figure that you will accept.

[des8]

Re: Hello :-) Which Forum Do I Need For Sexual Harrassment From An Electricity Worke

As you correctly state the burden of proof in civil cases is on the balance of probabilities, so it really comes down to whom the judge believes.

I get the distinct impression that what you really want is the written apology, rather than monetary compensation,but as you're not receiving the advice you are specifically looking for it might be worth approaching the following:
http://www.criminal-injuries.co.uk/c...sault-or-abuse
http://www.abusecompensation.co.uk/s...lt-claims.html

I realise you are talking about harassment rather than abuse or assault, but they might be able to give you an idea of a reasonable figure. The second link is to a firm of solicitors

[Johnboy007]

Re: Hello :-) Which Forum Do I Need For Sexual Harrassment From An Electricity Worke

Hi Johnboy,

I'm glad you were proven innocent of the allegation of sexual harassment from a pissed off colleague. People can be very spiteful, and it's good that the phone records proved her to be falsely accusing you.


I agree completely about Letcher's reluctance to write an apology. I thought I'd made that clear in earlier posts - I appreciate they're long and probably tedious to read all the way through, but it's obvious to me why he won't supply a written apology yet seems keen to deliver a verbal in person one.

I didn't ask for a written apology so I can take it to court. I asked for a written apology when the company offered to send the pair of them round in person to apologise because I don't want them here in person. It was, "They'll both come round and apologise," and me going "No! I don't want them here! They can write to me instead, please."

There was never a plan. It's just how the situation has developed. I'm not asking for compensation so I can use that to sue them.

I would prefer this was settled out of court, and I'm sure they'd prefer that too. We are already negotiating compensation which is based primarily around this sexual harassment/misconduct/abuse, and also includes the other issues I've explained above (driveway, shed, trespass, etc).


I've already accepted a fairly nominal amount from the power company that contracted the cabling company, because they acted very promptly and courteously, and I see limited responsibility on their behalf - they don't have any control over who the contractor employs to carry out the work. The responsibility must lie with the cabling company, and the cabling company are now also offering compensation for the behaviour of their employees, which is only as it should be.

I meant no offence by saying you thought it was clear cut. You seem very certain of an unsuccessful outcome for me, and that to me means you think it's clear cut. That's all I meant!


I didn't state that sexual harassment hasn't been mentioned. Both companies have talked to me about it at length, and are mortified it has happened. What I said was that the blanket apology from the contractor company (the cabling company) had avoided putting that phrase in the letter that their boss wrote and brought round with the flowers on Friday.

I agree that without an admission of guilt, it is hard to prove sexual harassment/abuse/misconduct. That's how so many get away with it. There are rarely witnesses. It usually comes down to their word against the complainant's word.

IF it went to court, it would come down to who was the most believable. Given that Letch has lied twice already that the company know of, I'd be less worried about a court believing him more than me, because he's already changed his story from his initial "didn't realise" to "didn't do it." As it stands, both the power company and the cabling company know I'm telling the truth and believe me over him.


I'm not asking anyone to judge the situation.


All I'm asking is what would be considered an appropriate amount of financial compensation for sexual harassment in these circumstances so that I can continue the negotiations that started on Friday.

I am certainly not certain of any outcome in this case.
I have been in enough courts and tribunals to know, that what you may think is clear cut, is far from it.
At the end of the day, in civil cases, it is the judge who decides what is probable and what is not.
And of course, the defendant may very well have a clever solicitor/barrister, who can make 'Jack The Ripper'' seem like a saint.
Lies are told and some are very difficult to disprove.
The two companies may very well believe you, but getting a company to make negative statements about an employee, is not going to be easy, as there is legislation in place, for when an employee oversteps the mark.
The normal accepted workplace procedure is to investigate any complaints against an employee/s and then hold an internal disciplinary meeting.
If a company strays outside of that procedure, it could find itself in a tribunal defending a case of constructive dismissal, or even breach of contract.
As you have already accepted a fairly nominal amount from the Power Company, then maybe you should look on a similar amount from the cabling company as a starting point for your compensation claim.
I do wish you luck, but compensation amount, as Wales has stated, is for you to decide.