Was what I experienced inappropriate touching?
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Was what I experienced inappropriate touching?
My female boss came up behind me (female) as I was in a co-workers office asking a question. She grabbed both the top of my arms and “guided” in a not so gentle manner me out the door of my co-worker’s office and told me to do something. I felt very uncomfortable, angry, embarrassed and that I was being treated like a child. Is this a violation of any kind?
Asked on August 3, 2011 Massachusetts
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you think you were being harassed on a sexual basis or because of your sex/gender, then you may have a claim for sex-based job discrimination. However, as a general matter, the law does not protect against being treated like a child, made to feel uncomfortable or embarrased, etc. Rather, the law only protects against harassment or discrimination based on a person's membership in certain specifically defined protected categories, such as based on a person's sex, race, religion, disability, or age over 40. If you think the touching constituted harassment on one of these bases, such as sexual harassment, you may have a claim, and may wish to contact the state labor department or speak with an employment law attorney.
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