Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Harassment

I periodically get harassing emails from the famous, senior faculty member whose office is next to mine. These emails usually complain about how I am too loud, etc. I always ignore them.

The latest email, however, crossed the line. He wrote that I was too loud (again), and why didn't I respond to his previous emails. He then wrote that junior faculty should always respond to senior faculty. But here's the real problem: he CCed my department head.

This guy has a history of problems, and everyone here dislikes (some even hate) him. Lawsuits and grievances follow this guy everywhere, so I've been careful to limit communication with him. He's even leaving this position in a few months for a new place, so this harassment should be only temporary, unless he sues me or files a grievance.

What can I do? What have I done? I wrote my department head that I need to meet with him as soon as possible because these harassing emails have got to stop. I also wrote an Associate Dean who's been on women faculty's side. I'll have a meeting or two in the next couple of days and see where it goes.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good luck- sounds yucky.

Anonymous said...

Also ask for a nicer office!

I'm sorry you're going through this. :( I'm glad he's leaving soon. Presumably your department head will be on your side, and your department is lucky to get rid of him!

ScienceGirl said...

Obnoxious. Good luck!

Jenny F. Scientist, PhD said...

Two words: mandatory retirement. (I know, you can't conjure one up for him, more's the pity.) Sounds like a real classic.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, sounds like you need a selective email filter. Just direct all messages from him into a nameless folder!