Can I sue my employer? (Harassment)

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Hello,

I work at a grocery store and I've been physically threatened and harassed at work by three other employees for roughly 2-3 weeks and I have complained to several supervisors. The other employees quickly admitted to threatened me psychically to supervisors and there has been several witnesses to violent (verbal) behavior. However, today all of the supervisors pulled everyone involved aside and said we were all equally guilty despite me never threatening anyone. They said we will all get fired in the behavior continues even though I AM the one who complained.

Also the harassment, while has mostly been centered around violence, has also had sexual behavior. Furthermore, the supervisors have begun treating me as the aggressor by asking other employees to physically restrain me for talking to co-workers in calm work related conversations. For example, I had to go to another department to get a price gun and I had another associate grab my arm/wrist and told me to leave. I know this to be true because afterwards the same person who grabbed my arm told me that he was doing his job based on what the managers in the store have told him to do. Which is fine, we never had a problem and I calmly left but I find asking associates to physically restrain me as grossly inappropriate on any management level.

I live in an at-will state but do I have grounds for a lawsuit at all? I have contacted HR and am awaiting a response.

If you have documented proof of what is going on--like testimony from witnesses, then you have a case and could take it to a lawyer. Without documented proof, you will have a hard time proving your case. Also, you would have trouble getting another job elsewhere once the potential new employers learn you sued the previous boss.

Check online at places that sell surveillance equipment to see if you can get a tiny video camera or recorder, to wear to work, so you can try to document what is happening. Or have a friend or relative hang out at the store with a video camera or a phone that can take videos, so they can document the abuse.

If you can't get any proof of what's been happening, then the best course seems to be to cut your losses by quitting for cause.--Type up a letter detailing the abuse you have suffered, and have it notarized, and then have it sent registered and requiring a signature on receipt, to the company. Make sure you make and keep copies of the notarized letter. It may help when applying for unemployment or other assistance, while you look for other work.

Hope this helps.

Wow, and I thought my workplace was bad...

I would say talk to your supervisor's supervisors and see if that can get you anywhere, and if that does not work, seek the advice of an attorney, but do not go to court unless you are absolutely sure you can win.

I had witnesses but one wants nothing to do with me since my employer has started treating me as the aggressor. For example, he told me that if he lost his job that he would be "highly pissed" and refused to have any knowledge of past events. I imagine others will follow in his foot steps. Frankly, the way it appears to me, though this is without fact, is the employer is trying to ruin my reputation with other associates by threatened termination on everyone who even looks at me.

Money is tight for a lawyer let alone surveillance equipment but I might have an idea for that if I can test it so good suggestion - Thanks.

As for the sexual harassment, I was told to get certain body parts pierced so that I can have better sex with another female associate who the three abusers call a w***e, B***h and mentally unstable. The whole abuse seems to stem from what the abusers preceptive as a relationship between me and this girl. They have made sexual comments to both of us, separate and together. The girl could be a potential witness, I have not see her in a few days so I don't know what she is thinking but I've made it clear to her that if she chooses to complain I am on her side.