Ask Amy: Co-worker worries working with accused harasser
The likelihood of me getting a comparable job is also slim.
On the one hand, working with him is temporary, and I don't want one project to derail my career, particularly when I'm otherwise happy.
On the other hand, he recently hired two women who seem just his type.
How do I survive working with him and warn his new hires, without getting myself in trouble?
– Between a Rock and a Barred Case
Dear Between: You should take any specific questions and concerns regarding your experience to your boss, and/or to HR at your company. Ask if these new hires have been notified about previous accusations against “Bob.”
You need to tread carefully and understand that the way to “win” at this is to always behave professionally at all times.
You don’t seem to know the particulars – or even the vague outlines — of this lawsuit, and it immediately occurs to me that there is a remote possibility that your colleague Bob remains at the company because he won the lawsuit you are referring to.
And, even if you know he is guilty, if you follow your instincts and actually manage to throw Bob under the bus — and yet still remain at the job you love (despite the fact that he has proven himself to be quite the survivor), then you would win the Machiavelli award for employee excellence.
(In short, I don’t recommend that you behave this way.)
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