Can my employer insinuate that the only reason I am where I am at in my career is because of my looks and then bully me?
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Can my employer insinuate that the only reason I am where I am at in my career is because of my looks and then bully me?
About a month ago I had a new boss start. Here is the email he sent me on day 4 of being my boss, “Did we get the contest out yesterday? Did you change your voicemail? Did you create a new Skype account?I would encourage you to remove your picture from your Skype if others outside our walls see it. I want people to do business with you due to your expertise, knowledge and will to help them succeed not how they may view how you look”. He has been pushing me out every since. Also, we have channel partners and he told me that my voicemail sounds like I may be with a “sexual partner”.
Asked on May 2, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Texas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Generally speaking, employers may bully employees--no law requires them to be fair, reasonable, professional, etc. That said, there are specific or types of bullying or harassment which are made illegal, and one of those is sexual harassment. If you feel that your boss's comments constitute sex-based harassment (e.g. harassment of you because you are a woman (if you are one), such as if he has not treated male employees the same way), you may have a claim for sexual harassment or discrimination. In this event, you should consult with an employment law attorney to discuss the situation, and your possible recourse, in more detail.
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