Florist In The 90's

As a high school student in the 90’s, I worked part-time at a local florist. There was a retired gentleman, also employed part-time that delivered arrangements. He was extremely nice, but liked to touch and hug a little more than I thought was comfortable, always giving me an eerie feeling that I could not pinpoint exactly what it was.

After several months of working with him, he told me how kind I was, leaned in to give me a hug, then aggressively, without warning, pulled me into his body and simultaneously tried to kiss me on my mouth. I pushed away in shock telling him he could not do that. It not only made me feel extremely embarrassed and uncomfortable, but made me wonder what I had done to make him think I would be accepting of

However, she chose to discuss the allegations with him while in my presence. Not expecting to participate in the confrontation, I was once again shocked, embarassed, and rattled because minutes before, unwanted advances were made for a second time by a man nearly old enough to be my grandfather. Immediately, he was fired and I was mortified and torn, feeling somehow partially responsible. Granted, I was a naive 16 year old girl, that grew up sheltered, not grasping the magnitude of what had occurred or the possible ramifications for the florist. Unfortunately, I was the victim of sexual harassment, which is the unwanted behavior in a sexual manner perpetuated on another individual (Ferrell, Fraesch, Ferrell, 2011). In order to prove sexual harassment, three criterial for a hostile work environment must be met. Those criteria are unwelcomed advances, it alters the conditions of employment, and a reasonable person would find the behavior offensive (Ferrell, et al, 2011). Not only did each of the criteria apply in my case, but I was also underage and according to the law could not consent