An associate was sexually harrassed - what now?

[728brion]

I am a manager at a local retail store in CO. An associate came to me telling me that one of the owners of the company said some very inappropriate sexual things to him. There were two instances. The associate laughed it off as he didn't know how to react. He told me in confidence. Since then, the other owner has said inappropriate things as well. The associate came to me again. As a manager, are there steps that I am supposed to take to report this. I've never had any sexual harassment training. The associate is considering moving forward with the situation. I did express to him that the behavior of the owners was very inappropriate and that if he wanted to do something about it, he should. I do not want to be held liable for not saying something myself. What should I do? Please help.

Thanks,

Concerned Manager

I am sorry to hear about this situation, but I commend you for being concerned. There is only one way to handle this, and that is to take it to the one governmental agency charged with authority and jurisdiction for handling it. If the employee will go to U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), they can file a complaint and have the matter investigated. As for you, the best thing you can do is to make a written report of what you were told, send it up to your immediate supervisor, urge the employee to go to the EEOC, and after that you have fulfilled your obligations. Hope it works out for all concerned. AJJ