Feedback starting January 19, 1998
My comments are in [red brackets].
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 16:15:52 -0800 (PST)
From: Magic NoseGoblin <magicnosegoblin@yahoo.com>
Cameron,
I assume the fiction on your web site has some sexual content. If not, forget the rest of thie e-mail.
Read http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-sex.html. All that is required for sexual harassment is something that "creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment." Not only that, "The harasser can be... a co-worker, or a non-employee." When the EEOC examines a merits of a case, determination is "made from the facts on a case-by-case basis." To remedy the situation, the EEOC can impose "compensatory damages" and recover "reasonable attorney's fees and costs" (see http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-fed.html).
It's also easy to file an EEOC charge. According to http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/howtofil.html, "Charges may be filed in person, by mail or by telephone by contacting the nearest EEOC office."
Whether or not you used company time or resources to create the offending material is irrelevant. Whether or not you requested (as opposed to suggested or offered) that your co-workers read your fiction is also irrelevant.
If your employer doesn't take a sexual harassment complaint seriously, he's a damn fool. One successful (or even unsuccessful) EEOC complaint would ruin any small company.
Frankly, your employer probably overreacted in this case. This kind of offense normally has to be repeated. If I was your employer, I probably would have spent my time and my lawyer's time (at great expense) attempting to resolve the issue. At a minimum, a formal written apology by, a formal warning by me (a copy of which would end up in your file) and a review or establishment of the complaint procedure would have occured. I don't think I could avoid restricting your career path (temporarily) or humilating you.
The Federal law is rediculously vague, open-ended, unfair and subjective. The bottom-line response is to treat the legislation conservatively.
These are the rediculous times in which we live.
Cordially,
Paul
From: "Harald Jensen" <hajens@c2i.net>
Subject: Great storys
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 20:09:54 +0100
Hi Cameron.
I didn't read all your storys, but the ones I did read was great. I can't understand why someone would fire you because of this, you have to keep writing. I will look for your name in the bookstores, this is so good you'll just have to give out a book.
Harald Jensen - Norway
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 12:25:39 +0000
From: Sherilyn <Sherilyn@sidaway.demon.co.uk>
Read about your case on CNN.
I was curious enough to wonder what kind of rank stuff one had to write to get fired these days. Imagine my surprise when I ran across your stories, which I enjoyed. I cannot imagine what got into your colleagues--it's hardly Jake Baker. I hope you are successful in finding more work.
From: GeorgeHamp <GeorgeHamp@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 17:46:11 EST
Subject: duuude!!!
Personally, I would not have fired you for the subject-matter of your so- called "non-fiction," but the content really sucks. Please do not give up your day job...oh, never mind...I forgot.
Let me put it this way. Your literature is analogous to the looks of "SexyChyck." Gut wrenching.
Good Luck with your future endeavors (lawsuits)...But please spare us the bad writing...Thanks.
[I guess people's manners in this country have gone out the window along with the common sense.]
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 17:58:40 -0400
Subject: you getting fired
I agree you should have been fired. You just don't have a clue do you? See the thing is you:
1. Show very bad taste by writing this stuff and putting it on the Internet for everyone to see including your Grandma or whoever.
2. Show some kind of exhibisionist tendencies by asking your students to go look at your web site. I am sure they really didn't want to know about your fantasy sex life.
3. Since your Fiction portrays women as objects of lust instead of live thinking human beings it is wrong. You should know that but you don't! That's where you don't have a clue! You just don't get it! You think it is okay to portray women in that way and they won't be offended....that's where you were wrong.
Maybe one day you'll get a clue. But I doubt it. I think you need some counseling in that area. I wouldn't want to work with you either. Not that I think you are a menace to society or anything...just annoying in that you don't have a clue that women are people too and we don't like to be portrayed or thought of in the way you do in your fiction.
I mean I am sure there are lots of people with fantasies and stories in their heads. But they know when to keep it in their head and you don't. You don't see what is wrong with it. You may be a bit of a sociopath.
It seems to me the real problem is not your fiction but is more of how you see life (I surmise this because you don't have the sense to not publish such stories).
Hope this helps,
You should apologize,
Anonymous
[1) They were my co-workers, not my students. 2) Maybe you should get a clue. 3) You've never met me, so how can you judge me? You're doing the same thing as my co-workers: basing your opinion of me entirely on something that is clearly labeled as "fiction" therefore: fake, made up, false, not true.]
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 19:34:35 +0100
From: "Patrik Sögaard" <psodt97@student.hv.se>
Subject: Great fiction!
First of all I would like to wish U good luck in finding a new job.
My name is Patrik and I'm from Sweden. I came across an article with your strange story. After reading it I visited your homepage to see what could possibly have scared two people so much that they decided to quit if U didn't. After reading throug your fictions (which mostly concists of everyday-events though they are very "detailed" and described in a very odd way), I couldn't believe that someone got frightened or chocked by this. They sometimes even made me laugh.
The whole story sounds like .... well I don't know what! If there is nothing more behind the situation than what U mentioned, I relly think that your ex-boss is one weird person (even more weird than U). I would be more than happy to kick his butt =)
As I said in the beginning of this letter, I wish U every luck. U deserve a better place to work anyway!
Patrik Sögaard
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 11:29:42 -0600
From: Tim Schrag <imagine@ksu.edu>
Subject: Denver Post Story
I read about the injustice done to you in the Denver Post via web address. I too have had somewhat similar experiences, both on my own and with friends fired by affirmative action which where I work, your situation would fall under. I find it ironic I am reading this on Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
When I was living in Western Kansas and working for a sheriff's department, I applied to the Colorado State Highway Patrol for a road troopers position. I found I could not get an application because I was an out of state resident and Colorado only hires residents. I checked with an attorney and found that Colorado could discriminate because the discrimination was based on residence, not sex, not religion, not national origin, ect....all those protections in the U.S. Constitution.
I wish you luck in your effort. I know how hard it is to be hired by any firm with money to be sued for, once one is fired over affirmative action based cause.
Yes, you don't want your job back once those who made the complaint have stirred the pot. If your were re-employed, those two could drag out in court for years as I've seen.
My thoughts are with you.
All my best,
Tim Schrag
