What should I do if the doctor I work for is acting inappropriately by touching and making sexually suggestive comments during patient exams?
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What should I do if the doctor I work for is acting inappropriately by touching and making sexually suggestive comments during patient exams?
I have had several complaints from female patients in the last few weeks that the Optometrist that I work for has been touching patients inappropriately during exams, as well as offering products in exchange for sexual favors, and asking them if they are in need of a “sugar daddy”. This is not particularly shocking as he has always made unwelcomed advances towards me that have lately become explicit and cause me to be extremely uncomfortable. I am the only employee aside from the doctor.
Asked on June 25, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Arkansas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
If you have suffered unwanted advances, your employer may be sexually harassing you, which is illegal; if this is the case, you could either speak with an employment law attorney about possibly bringing a lawsuit, or else contact either the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or your state equal/civil rights agency to file a complaint.
For unwanted and unprofessional advances to or touching of patients, someone should contact the state board which licenses physicians to make an ethical complaint.
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