I have an HR question about rumors and harassment in the office- please help!?

Two weeks ago, my two supervisors brought me into a conference room and told me that a coworker, "Alice", came to management and complained because someone in our office told "Alice" that I said "Alice" was a whore. I don't know who said this to "Alice", and my supervisors would only tell me that it was someone that I considered a friend in the department. I am an emotional person, and though I tried not to, I began to cry. I told my supervisors that I never said such a thing about "Alice" and it hurt my feelings to think that she believes I would say something like this. I was so embarrassed that I cried in front of my supervisors, especially for something as untrue and juvenile as this.
My supervisors told me that they would talk to "Alice" and the rumor maker, and would bring me into another meeting with "Alice" and my two supervisors to discuss the situation. That was two weeks ago, and no such meeting has occurred.
Now I feel uncomfortable in my department. What can I do?

So now, because of this rumor maker, I feel like my work environment is hostile (esp. since "Alice's" boyfriend works in the next department over, and now I feel that department is being hostile towards me). I feel embarrassed for crying in front of my supervisors, and I feel that may out a damper in my attempts at a promotion in the future. I also feel that being involved in a petty situation like this will also effect my chances at a promotion. Is there anything I can do, in a legal sense? I feel like I'm being harassed by the judgment my coworkers have now placed upon me, and I feel my future growth in the company has now been tarnished. Please help!

Your post really troubled me because years ago the same thing happened to me.

Legally there is not much you can do. Unless the hostile environment is based on discrimination due to age, sex, race, ethnic origin, religion, military or marital status, there is no law against it. Look at www.eeoc.gov for more on discrimination.

My guess is that the hostility is due to co-workers not liking you for some reason and your feeling embarassed about what happened. While unfair, not illegal.

My concern for you is the next meeting, if there is one. You need to steal yourself to all the hurtful things that are being said. You need to continue to voice your innocence. You need to try not to cry at future meetings, even when you are being unfairly accused. You need to be able to look your accusor, your supervisors and anyone else in the eye and say LOUDLY "I DID NOT DO THIS". You can have emotion, the emotion of someone who is being wrongfully accused.

As for the emotion that bring tears, many of us are still working on that. There is no magic way to keep from crying. I take deep breaths, pause before responding, and try to stall for time to regain my composure. Recently there was an article in the Wall Street Journal which talked about tears on the job, done on rare occassions tears do not hurt your career.

I was accused by co-workers who wanted their friend to get the job that was given to me. Like you, in the meeting to discuss this I cried and felt horrid. From that point on I no longer looked to my work place for friends. Yes, I continued to be polite, pleasant to the co workers (hi, how are you; have a nice weekend) but I spent breaks & lunches reading a book. I did not participate in any personal conversations. I was alway too busy to stop. I ended up being promoted out of that area.

I also wrote a memo to my boss with copies to the managers at my meeting. I told that that I did not do what I was accused of, that I was stunned and shocked to be the victim of such vicious rumors, that I may have reacted in an unprofessional manner by crying but that being accused of something that I did not do was a sever emotional blow. I ended the memo by saying that I was there to work, not to make friends, and that I intended to do my job in the best way I could.

I wish you the best luck in this situation. Stay strong!

Ok i know im only 16 but i have studdied this at school in Business

I do know that for 1 everyone has the right to feel safe in the workplace... and at the moment it seems like you are not

The rumor maker is breaking the law by saying this and is obviously trying to stir something up...

Your can however go and see someone in a higher department and explain the situation to them

I have linked a website that explains a little bit about bullying/harrasment in the workplace which should help you a bit...

sorry i cant help you anymore than i have :(

However i do hope things get better and easier for you :)

What a nasty situation for you.

I understand your concerns about how you cried and although it is not what you preferred, don't be so hard on yourself. The other part about the hostile environment, remember this: "never let them see you sweat!". In other words, appear as strong and unaffected as you possibly can.

There are people who get off on other people's problems. It gives them something to talk about. You know, promotions are based on other things besides the ability not to cry. The people in charge also look for workers who can work their way out of difficult situations with the least amount of damage to everyone involved.

One thing to keep in mind is to limit your personal relationships with people you work with. It may be hard because we all need to interact, it's human nature. But, try not to give out personal information or opinions or gossip with people in the workplace. You can still be nice, be a team player and do things like have lunch together. Just don't exchange any kind of negative information with them or allow them to drag you into theirs.

Treat everyone the same across the board. Everyone. Treat all very nicely and I guarantee you will come out on top.

Cheer up and good luck.