Comments on: Jack’s Story – Workplace Harassment

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:09:39 +0000

In a way what would she have done if he had been caught pilfering confidential information from the files. If she didnt stand by him then at least he would have known sooner exactly what her intentions were, but unfortunately possibly would have lost his job.

By: Editor

Editor — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 01:55:17 +0000

Thanks for the comments.

Judith, I think if a similar scenario occurred in a workplace environment, you’d find that most men would not be willing to share it with other people. Particularly in this case, lodging a complaint to a supervisor would also bring out the fact that Jack provided access to confidential files on the basis of a personal relationship – which is highly unethical and potentially punishable.

The victim may seek professional assistance (e.g. a counsellor) to deal with his feelings and emotions; but making the situation public is a whole different thing and something that would highly affect their ego. This situation might be uncommon; but even more so would be the willingness of the victim to make it known by his work colleagues.

By: Judith Lewis

Judith Lewis — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:32:11 +0000

The bully Clare picked Jack precisely because Jack is vulnerable – low self esteem, arrested ambition to advance further in the workplace, “middle age” – and deliberately takes advantage, knowing precisely the reaction Jack will have: become enamoured of her. Once she gets her promotion, she deliberately harms him further by insulting him on many levels, inducing such shame that he cannot conceive of reporting her for repeated sexual abuse. Claire has done this before and she will do it again.

I don’t know how common this scenario is in the real world. I don’t hear about them, that’s for sure.

I am a Union representative in Ontario Canada.

By: Gwen

Gwen — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 09:03:19 +0000

Good on you Jack!!!

I feel sorry for Clare now. What a shallow life she lives.

By: Editor

Editor — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:27:16 +0000

There is no doubt that Clare was a bully and manipulator and preyed on Jack’s vulnerability. Clare would sleep her way to the top assuming that she survives long enough to do so as she is really playing with ‘fire’ and with peoples’ emotions and someone may take more than simple offence. Jack was devastated by her actions – he thought for once in his life that someone cared for him and could make him happy.

He was also caught in a catch 22 in that he could not tell anyone about the affair. When Clare broke it off she threatened him in a frightening way and he had little recourse but to agree. Jack was all alone and feeling depressed and contemplated suicide for a short while. No-one in the office or anywhere else could surely believe that such a relationship could exist outside of sexual assault and he fantasised himself being portrayed in the media as a nasty lecherous old predator. Jack showed great strength of character to admit that he had a major problem and sought the services of a professional counsellor.

This is exactly what he needed because he couldn’t confide his story to anyone else. In doing this Jack was able to understand more about himself and his life and that this was actually a precursor for a change that was long overdue. He picked himself up and did something to change his life positively through an action plan developed with his counsellor. It was hard work at first but after a while he was feeling fitter than he had been for twenty odd years. He felt good.

This story could have turned out much differently and potentially with tragic consequences. It demonstrates the dangers of workplace harassment and bullying and gives a glimpse of how horrific it can be in terms of consequences for the victim.