My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: New York.
Hello, I am a new (young) member of this forum. A pleasure to meet you all.
To begin, I've combed through the pre-existing threads to get information about my issue, and while they have been enlightening I would still feel more comfortable with more direct observation.
The scenario goes thusly:
Approximately a month and a half a go I was hired at a Tim Hortons here in New York. This particular location is staffed by 4 people including myself, and is located within a supermarket. For the time I have been there I have enjoyed the work and haven't had any issues, but recently that seems to have changed.
Last week I was accused of sexual harassment by 2 (female) employees at the supermarket and sent home. I was to be told the results of the pending investigation yesterday (Sunday), but the manager who was to do so abruptly went on vacation. I will therefore not hear the results for a few more days.
This supermarket is unionized, and they refuse to tell me who my accusers are, the specifics of what happened or any other information of use. To be clear, I have wracked my brain and can't think of anything I have done that could be considered even close to creating a "hostile" environment. I make no sexual advances towards anyone, nor do I have any interest in them beyond a distant work relationship.
My manager has been able to tell me some limited facts:
- The alleged activity occurred more when I was off-duty.
- My manager mentioned that I allegedly said "Hey sexy", which I do admit to saying before I was hired to a cashier- one time. As well as once to a girl I have known for over a year and have a working friendship with, where such comments are nothing amiss. In neither of these cases have I said it as anything more than a teasing introduction and there were no further comments of such a nature.
- In addition, the supermarket is conducting the investigation, not my employer. Tim Hortons is just as lost as I am and is only seeking to gauge my potential risk.
So my questions are thusly:
1.) How would you handle this situation?
2.) What are my chances of being terminated?
3.) Is there any viable way to defend myself?

