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"10 SECOND OGLING LEGALLY "SEXUALLY HARRASSING?" FIND OUT!"

Dear Kathryn:

As the construction manager supervising fifty workers, I've got my hands full making sure my employees show up on time and work at least part of the time they're here. The job site we're working on, a college campus, just gave me another *@$#+ headache I don't need.

I was called on the carpet today as the school's administration said they have school officials (teachers) witnessing and receiving complaints from female students that my workers are "sexually harassing" them. They threatened I better get them to stop ogling the coeds or action would be taken. They also said that any stare longer than 10 seconds was legally considered "harassing".

I've never heard of such a law and as a manager, I figured I better get straight on this. In addition, I think it's strange that some school official at a distance could determine what's ogling and what's not. I am going to talk to my employees about this but think this whole thing is ridiculous.

STEVE R., New London, CT

Dear Steve:

Tens seconds, huh?! As I've never heard of this "legal ruling" before, your letter prompted me to contact several of my legal eagles.

They all agreed that no such law exists according to either the EEOC or the CT Human Rights Commission. Brian Clemow of Shipman & Goodwin concluded that the University has the right to insist on their own interpretation of what's considered harassing behavior. As they've formally put you and your crew "on notice" making it clear that that your workers are making their students feel threatened, (sexually harassed), you are obliged to address this with your employees.

Be letter-clear with your workers. Explain that the potential of losing this assignment, thus their income, is a real one. I'm sure that neither your crew, nor your company owner wants to see a lucrative job lost due to a complaint like this. Good luck.

Dear Kathryn:

I'm being punished for having kids. I've only been away from the work force for two years and can't believe I'm facing such resistance (and offers of low pay!) just because I stayed home to raise my kids!

I had a high level administrative job when I went on my maternity leave two years ago, and while I'm not as speedy as when I left, I'm still the same organized, intelligent person I was two years ago. I can't imagine how I'm going to afford parking, a professional wardrobe, and dry cleaning, nevermind full-time daycare with the money I'm being offered.

I need to get back to what I was making as I can't afford to return to work full-time any other way! I was thinking of first trying part time; however don't want to resort to some cashier job at the grocery market.

HELP!

SUSAN E., Sturbridge, MA

Dear Sue:

While the job market is still very good, competition for the big bucks is very good, too. Companies are still paying well, however they're choosy as to whom they'll hand the big check. Bigger dollars command top skills and that's where staying current is critical.

As I don't know how you're presenting your last two years of staying at home, I can't tell whether you're doing yourself a disservice with your explanation of your at-home time in your interviews. Even if you used your at-home computer for Internet surfing, translate that experience to mean you've sharpened your Internet researching skills.

You need to be creative paralleling your last two years life experience as valuable to an employer. If a plastic cover has been on your computer for the last twenty-four months hit a temp agency, fast. Most offer free computer re-training and you can possibly pick up an assignment evenings or weekends when you can corral a friend to baby-sit.

Part-time would allow you to ease back into the flow without the full-time commitment to daycare or a big formal wardrobe. With job-sharing at an all-time high, you shouldn't be relegated to burger-flipping jobs. Check out the employment web-site ePartTimeJobs.com. I've noticed some terrific part-time opportunities with employers ranging from American Express, ADP, and First Union Bank.

For those of you planning an extra long vacation, and not working for more than six months, remember these cardinal rules: 1. Stay skill-current. 2. Never stop networking. 3. Don't take a vacation from the world. Read the newspaper and your industry's publications. You never know when you'll want a regular paycheck again.