I lived in las vegas for a year before returning to California. In the last 3 months there I had a job where I was made to deal with sexual remarks and inuendos by my boss and harrased in the parking lot then, when I did not respond I was let go. A co-worker was so appalled at my treatment she told me some things that had happened behind my back. She told me these things after I was let go. I then, thinking she would stand up for me, filed a complaint with the eeoc. This co-worker now emailed me and said she is too "afraid" to stand up for me and she will absolutely not do it. I have not emailed her back since she wrote me this email. I am now wondering if I should respond to her or not? What do you think?
I have called many many lawyers in Las Vegas that are suppose to deal with these kinds of cases (labor law attorneys). Since I am out of work because of this retaliatory firing I have absolutely no funds to a) pay for an attorney consultation b) pay a lawyer upfront for this case. My responses have been; Most law offices are no longer taking sexual harrasment cases, or they want hundreds of dollars for an initial consult or if they do talk to me they usually will say it's a good case, BUT they want thousands of dollars upfront to take it. Las Vegas is not a "woman friendly" town if you can understand that. This woman had told me she had her own case of sexual harrasment when she worked a job in San Francisco. That is why it all the more heartbreaking that she has taken this new attitude toward my case.
I guess I am wondering if someone can actually put themselves in my place and then how (or not)respond to this co-worker. The problem I have is TRUSTING saying anything to this person. Because she said she felt so much was at risk, and she is someone who LIVES for approval from her friends,co-workers and family. She initially felt she was garnering favor, as a friend, with me, and had an initial sense of the amazing wrongs involved. BUT her standing with the company suddenly came into focus, and I now believe she would use things said against me, as that would be the easiest and more popular thing to do. She is young and not very sure of herself as a person. With these things in mind how would you see yourself responding? Do you think I should respond to her email, and, if so, how?