Legal Question in Employment Law in Wisconsin

Harrassment in the workplace

I am a elementary library assistant. This year the head librarian/media specialist has started verbally harrassing me in front of students. Administration here has documentation on her behavior. They have given her a nonrenewal, but she is fighting it. We will be having a hearing in front of the school board shortly. If this woman wins and retains her job, do I have any legal leg to stand on to stop her harrassment of me? I should point out she has also harrassed the Jr. High/High school library assistant as well. She also has taken has a history of kicking and throwing inanimate objects when angry. She has grabbed me in front of students once and later said she must have done it for safey purposes, but does not remember this incident, which occurred in front of a teacher and her class. What can I do?


Asked on 4/14/98, 7:58 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Phyllis Ahmadia Ahmadia & Carey

a Siberian dilemna

If you have a union, first choice is to file a grevience.Certainly, if she continues on, you could obtain a restraining order from your local court (here in Hawaii there's a simple form so individuals can obtain mutual restraining orders without an attorney) The order would have to allow her to communicate minimally with you as needed but not to harrass--this is difficult of course.Check your laws, but generally individuals are allowed to tape conversations they have without other individuals. Since the bad feelings are already there, perhaps you could clip a mini taperecorder to your belt where she can see and push the button when she starts to speak. This is not a legal remedy but my husband is a teacher and I often deal with these type of concerns. It sounds like the poor lady has some problems if this harrassment is continuing. Your own calmness, and looking her directly in the eye in a condescending manner also works well. Keeps you in control if you speak asif nothing happens. Good luck.

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Answered on 5/01/98, 2:24 pm


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