GTstartup, as Ashereng comments, the US is a democracy, isn't it?
Fortunately for some not everyone here works in the US.
Of course, this isn't just about health and safety, the HS motive wears thin when you get to cleaners and tea ladies; everyone is terrified of litigation and ending up in court where some jury of nitwits will award millions of dollars to some other nitwit who spills hot coffee on themselves because they used the dash instead of the cup-holder and drove out over the rainwater gully.
PS I was in a refinery in the far east last week and the vistor safety card listed general info about wearing the card, staying with ones host where the restrooms are and so on.
The only heavy stuff:
[ul][li]Smoking is prohibited.[/li]
[li]Possesion of weapons,alcohol, or illegal drugs is not permited on company premises[/li]
[li]do not run in the office[/li]
[li] do not fill your hot water cup more than 80% full.[/li][/ul]
PPS Hello125,
Sorry, we've gotten a little side-tracked here (it happens all the time, and it isn't just me).
If you tried polite and it didn't take, forget polite. Polite gets you nowhere in such cases.
Sexual harrasement is a serious offense and yes, it is a serious step to take to levy such a claim.
However, you should never be afraid to take those steps when you have tried a reasonable selection of options.
The fact that you have posted here suggests that you are running out of options.
A simple no, ought to do it with most folks, and even pleasantly explaining you are not interested or simply saying you are otherwise committed should be enough. With some people it isn't. It won't even matter if you forget polite and get downright nasty. Some folk still think you are saying "maybe" or even "yes".
I'd like to suggest that you wait for the next time when there is a crowd around and then in a very loud voice say that they are not your choice of house pet and explain why.
Of course, this won't work.
But if you have tried everything short of official action you have a clear concience and you can now escalate the problem.
Go have an unofficial chat with HR and ask advice.
This alerts them to the problem and they can now take "unofficial" steps. If that works, fine. If not escalate some more.
It might not be pleasant for a while but they will get the problem solved. I have witnessed this sort of thing in my last company and it was very sad for the victim. It wasn't exactly happy for everyone else and there is a limit to being polite and "trying to get on with things." You have a right to work in a stress free harrasment free environment.
As I mentioned above, the world is getting more litigious and companies that fail to act can expose them to some heavy litigation and so they will act.
Note:
This isn't your problem.
It's his problem and it is also the companies problem.
You tried nice, but you don't have to be the heavy, give it to HR, that is what they are there for, to protect your interests, to protect the companies interests and to protect themseleves (priority in reverse order) and any two of those is enough for them to act.
If they don't, then find a professional advisor on these matters. Your union/local citizens advice office etc. will give you lots of good advice. Look up sexual harrasment websites in your area and find out what you can do.
The longer you "put up with it" the more miserable life will be. Act now. If he ends up out on the street, it's his fault, not yours. He will have had his chances.
JMW
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