To: advisory board member advisory [email protected]
From: System Administrator [email protected]
Subject: Unauthorized File Access
This message was automatically generated and sent to the advisory board member distribution list. Please be advised somebody has accessed restricted document:
File name: 11A2B3675C489
Was Accessed by: SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR
From Terminal Position: 136
Position Owner: Mondrya Foster
It opened an area of the brokerage system that she had never seen before. It prompted her to enter a password. Once again, Mondrya typed W O N N I E M T E L. ACCESS DENIED. Mondrya looked at her watch and noted that it was almost five o'clock and she would have to leave soon if she was going to meet Gloria at six at Starbucks in downtown Decatur. Mondrya inserted a CD in the drive and copied the three documents to the disk. She logged out of the system, turned off her computer, grabbed her purse, and headed for the door.
Naturally traffic on 285 was ridiculous. Even though she was late, Mondrya wanted to get the disk she had just copied, out of her hands. She stopped at the Decatur post office and sent the disk, along with the client lists and the notes she made for Marcus to her attention at Gloria's office, via priority mail. This was her insurance policy and she would need it if she was to get out from under Bill Hudson's thumb.
When Mondrya arrived at Starbucks at six-twenty-five, Gloria Giannelli was already waiting. Gloria stood up when she saw her and waved Mondrya over to the table.
“I was starting to think you weren't coming, Mondrya.”
“I'm sorry. Traffic, you know how it is. I would have called you, but I left your cell number at the office.”
“Well, you’re here now. That suit looks very nice on you. Where did you get it?”
“Niemen’s; caught it on sale.” Mondrya went to the counter to order. “Caramel Macchiato, please.” Once she got her coffee Mondrya returned to the table.
“So what did you want to see me about?”
“Because you're my friend. Can't two friends get together for a cup of coffee after work?”
“I'm sorry, Mondrya. Of course we can, but you made it sound like it was business.”
“Well it's that, too.”
“So you do need a lawyer?”
“Not yet, I just need a little friendly advice. I'm thinking of filing a sexual harassment suit and I want to know something first.”
“I kinda assumed that, since sexual harassment is my specialty. Anyway, I can give you a broad legal definition of what constitutes sexual harassment. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment. When submission to, or rejection of this conduct, explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.”
“I think I qualify,” Mondrya said casually sipping her coffee.
“Who is it?”
“I'd rather not say. Not yet anyway. What should I do now?”
“That depends, have you directly informed the harasser that the conduct is unwelcome and must stop.”
“Many times.”
“The next step is to use any employer complaint mechanism or grievance system available to you. Have you done that?”
“No, I will if I have to.”
“That's important, Mondrya. When investigating allegations of sexual harassment, EEOC looks at the whole record. So it is very important that you have as much documentation of the harassment as possible.”