Is this bullying?

I work at a nightclub as a waitress, I'm a female, the boss is a gay male. He keeps doing things that if he weren't my boss, I'd slap him or at least not let him get away with, but since he's my boss, I hesitate. For example, I was standing at the bar, sorting glasses and he snook up on me and poked me in the face, or we had to wear these suspenders and again, he came up from behind and snapped them against my back, I turned around to see who it was and tell them to stop, but then saw that it was him, then he did it again. Or he called up everyone's names to see who was there, except mine. So I asked, whether I was on the list, and he said, "yes, you're on the list, here: Sara B**ch" My last name does start with a B, but it obviously isn't b**ch. Or another time, he asked when I'd finally undress and do a striptease. I joked well how much would I get paid and then he said first, we have to see what we're paying for. Then he continued, "Oh, you wouldn't strip, you're a virgin." Then later he asked, "so do you ever have sex? You should ask your colleague Sandy for advice, she already had a kid." (The colleague was there with us). He keeps doing these really rude things but then asks me to return for more shifts when he could easily just fire me if he was unhappy with my work.

yes, it's bullying 40
not sure/ comment 5
no, it's not bullying 4
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 15 )
  • deepdankstickygoo

    Just because he is gay does not mean he gets a free pass to touch your goods or treat you like a ten dollar whore. I would say secretly go to HR and report his gay ass...but I doubt a night club has that. You are kind of on your own. I would be more assertive towards him when he does these things. If you get fired shortly after you tell him to stop then you can claim you were wrongly terminated. I would hide my cellphone in my pocket or try to record some of his bad behavior so I would have some fuel for the fire if it comes down to it.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • No, we don't have HR. But I'll take your advice, thanks

      Comment Hidden ( show )
  • thegypsysailor

    Gay, huh? Where'd you get that idea?
    He sounds like a 5th grader in the school yard. Honey, that boy has a crush on you and apparently seems rather emotionally immature.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • No, he openly has a husband, a calendar with half nude men kissing on his office wall, etc

      Comment Hidden ( show )
        -
      • theMonkey

        could he be bi?

        Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Diaperdean

    Hmmm, could be a civil suit for sexual harassment. Honey, you might be the new boss!! Maybe you want to talk to an attorney.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • mannyboy56

    Hun , you need to put it down right now ." Say you dont play like that . And its really not cool at work at all .. dont trip he dont own the place right...and it might be good to get to know the owner just in case you need to go above him. Good luck

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • radioguy22

    i agree with most of the above comments. he does appear to be bullying you in the sense that he is trying to belittle you. a bullying boss is the worst, as they are using their power because they can hire and fire people. many people are afraid to say anything for that reason alone. its not acceptable and you really should not be having to put up with that kind of behaviour. have you tried telling him that you find his behaviour not pleasant? you might have to try and find the right moment to say that, depending on what mood he is in, but from what you have said, he sounds really over the top.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • I haven't told him I didn't like it yet because I honestly always thought he liked me and was sort of flirting this way. Only recently when he openly called me b*tch and got more disparaging did I realize that he was actually being quite disrespectful rather than amiable. I'll just show him next time and if it doesn't work out, find a new job.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Rihyae

    It's bullying. There are jerks of all kinds and it's not limited to sexual orientation.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • anti-hero

    Seems like he is just trying to be fun / funny. Try telling him nicely how you feel about it. If he is OK with it cool. If he is an asshole about it. Report it to the higher ups.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Unimportant

    His behavior clearly isn't okay.

    Possibility one is that he does this maliciously.

    Possibility two is that he thinks the two of you had some sort of back-and-forth banter and is oblivious to the fact that you don't appreciate it.

    I don't know which one it is.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Ellenna

    I can't believe as many people voted no as yes when this is obviously bullying via sexual harrassment.

    As to what you can do about other than leave, I don't know because I don't know the industrial laws where you live. If you're a union member go to them, otherwise whoever your industrial relations authority is.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • deepdankstickygoo

      Lol.....a union for waitresses...

      Comment Hidden ( show )
        -
      • Ellenna

        They have a union in Australia: what's so funny? Aren't they workers?

        Comment Hidden ( show )