Talk to your lawyer. And fire him anyway, there is no reason to keep a person like this in your team, it will get worst. Then send a short and non-inflammatory message to the rest of the company so everybody will know you won't tolerate this kind of behavior and act swiftly on it.
Ask HN: How do I deal with the first sexual harassment complaint at my startup?
11–20 of 622 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do I deal with the first sexual harassment complaint at my startup?
#12I'm not familiar with US customs, so little confused here: is asking your co-worker out is considered a sexual harassment? Or is it the "milf" part?
Not sure about asking a co-worker out, but calling someone a MILF (Mom I'd Like to Fuck) sounds like sexual harrassment to me.
Re: Ask HN: How do I deal with the first sexual harassment complaint at my startup?
#13Not a lawyer. When the female employee says she doesn't want to cause trouble, it just means that, if you are going to do something about this situation, then you better own it. Make this a problem between you and the employee who acted inappropriately. i.e. if/when he demonstrates understandable reasons for acting the way he did, you don't turn this around on her.
Re: Ask HN: How do I deal with the first sexual harassment complaint at my startup?
#14Get him out, this will not change. Ask your layer how to make it but you as a founder has the right to select who to work with.
Re: Ask HN: How do I deal with the first sexual harassment complaint at my startup?
#15This is why I'll never be in any significant management position. I have no interest in babysitting grown up children. My reaction would be to just fire both.
>My reaction would be to just fire both.
What did the existing employee do to deserve such treatment?
Re: Ask HN: How do I deal with the first sexual harassment complaint at my startup?
#16This is why I'll never be in any significant management position. I have no interest in babysitting grown up children. My reaction would be to just fire both.
That seems deeply unfair - what did the existing employee do wrong?
Re: Ask HN: How do I deal with the first sexual harassment complaint at my startup?
#17What's this guy going to say to one of your business partners/customers? Not that your employees don't matter but if he can't control himself around other employees he can't do it anywhere.
Re: Ask HN: How do I deal with the first sexual harassment complaint at my startup?
#18[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: How do I deal with the first sexual harassment complaint at my startup?
#19Fire him. This doesn't have to cause team problems or violate any trust.
Re: Ask HN: How do I deal with the first sexual harassment complaint at my startup?
#20This is why I'll never be in any significant management position. I have no interest in babysitting grown up children. My reaction would be to just fire both.
Why both? What did the female employee do wrong?