Sexual Harrassment?

Q: I am not sure what to do in this situation. My boss is a pervert in my opinion and my friends opinions at work. He will joke around with me telling me he loves me and calling me baby. I take it as a joke as he knows I am happily married and he laughs when he says it. he has been very touch feely lately on my shoulders or putting his arm around me. the other day i joked around with him when a customer came in the store and it looked like she had lip injections and i said she was prob at his house last night that is why her lips are soo swollen i laughed it out but then he said ""what do u know about that? do u do that? huh? huh? I didnt answer him but he kept on asking me if i did that (meaning going down there) i said no comment and he just smiled. i didnt like that and felt very uncomfortable. I told my friends at work and they said it is sexual harrassment. is it or is it something that is not that big a deal?

A: It is without a doubt sexual harassment. Here is what I recommend, and this is very important. Do not joke with him at all regarding anything that might have a sexual interpretation, like that woman's lips, and do not smile when he makes any comments or touching that makes you uncomfortable. To protect yourself, you need to be consistent in that you never co-operated or misled him. At some point after such consistency (two weeks is enough), you'll need to go to him

and say specifically what makes you uncomfortable. Cite language and behavior he engages in. Do not expect him to agree. Your purpose is only to give him your point of view. From then on, after your consistent non-cooperation and your giving him what effectively is notice, you have a case of sexual harassment for any of his behavior if he is stupid enough to continue or if he fires you. Making the workplace uncomfortable for someone by allowing inappropriate uninvited sexual behavior is against the law. Coming from a boss, it's even far worse. Whether you chose to stay or not, and whether he fires you or not, you will win in court. You will be financially rewarded and recover your dignity.