The Great Resignation

Job Order 1

"Justice delayed, justice denied", my cousin's husband told me four years ago. "What happened to you is still an act of sexual harassment."

Bakit hindi ako nagsumbong? Nagreklamo? Because I was just starting back then. Natatakot ako na pag nagsumbong ako, hindi na ako makakapagtrabaho sa gobyerno.

Baguhan lang ako, matagal na siya sa trabaho. Natatakot ako na baka madami siyang koneksyon at kaya niyang sirain ang buhay ko. Pag nagsumbong ba ko, makakapagtrabaho pa ko sa government? Kung hindi na, private companies will still do background check. Pag nalaman ba nila na nagsumbong ako, iha-hire pa rin ba nila ako?

It feels like there are a lot of things going inside my head. It feels like I'm worrying a lot. But, what really happened?

I was working in a government office at that time. Since all the employees are uniformed, I go to work wearing business attire (of course). I was wearing my business skirt that goes up to my knees. Sometimes, I wear pants or dresses. I sometimes wear blouses and I always, as in ALWAYS, wear my coat.

Everything's fine till one day, this man, who handles OJT's and other temporary employees, asked me if I know and if I can joke around. And I said yes. (I shouldn't have said yes.)

Since then, he started his advancement on me. I was wearing my office skirt one day at umupo siya ng sobrang lapit sakin. I distanced myself. But he moved towards me. Pilit niyang inilalapit ang legs niya sa legs ko (and just think how men sit). I moved far away from him till I was at the side of the table. He asked me bakit daw ako nalayo sa kanya. I told him na maliit ang space para mag share kami sa iisang table.

The second one, he repeatedly did this to me. When you are working in a government office, there are documents needed to submit in the Regional Office. I was giving him the documents when he asked me, "Where's my goodbye kiss?" Then, he will just suddenly launch himself to me for a kiss. Good thing that I have fast reflexes. He did not succeed in getting a kiss from me (but he keeps on trying this one).

The third one, I was wearing a blouse (with my coat) when he suddenly moved his head towards my chest really close and said, "Patingin nga". With my good reflexes, I instantly covered it with my coat.

The fourth one was done by a different man. He's from the other section of the office. I was wearing a dress (wearing my coat) when he greeted me and he suddenly put his hand on my back and caressed it. (I threw that dress) No one should touch or caress someone on her back. From then, I stopped smiling and greeting this employee.

The fifth one, also, was done by a different man. I was standing and looking for some documents in an office cabinet when this man bumped his butt to mine. I started ignoring him since he just talks to me to tell green jokes, too.

I only told these things to my brother till he told everything to our mom. I just can't tell it personally to my mom because she's the one who wanted me to work in a government office. Geez, I even took the government exam because of her.

My mom talked to me and told me that we should do something and I told her my concerns. She wanted me to start a career in government and I was afraid of this man's connections. (But I hope na sana nagreklamo na lang din ako.)

I told my mom that I do not want to wear my office clothes anymore. I wanted no skin to be seen. We started buying closed neck tops and pants.

Every Friday, I started wearing loose collared shirts. Also, I started wearing cardigans since they are much longer than coats.

The students who are on training know those men are maniacs. They just couldn't afford to talk back as their grades might be affected. We started talking about sexual harassment at work. I always make sure that man can hear us and I always say that I'm already talking to our "family lawyer".

Since then, I always see him at the RD's office every time he hears us talking about harassment. I don't mind what he was telling the "boss" because I still can't afford to leave because I'm aiming to have at least 3 months experience since I know he's doing something to kick me out of the office.

I passed the government exam and in my third month at the office, I saw the boss talked to the section head and said that temporary workers should stop going to work from that day as they will send our application to another government office to process our papers as temporary employees.

The section head talked to me and I stopped going to work the next day. Someone I know inside the office updated me that all the other temporary employees were there except me.

I consider this one as a regret. I should have done something. I should have at least sent a complaint. Sometimes, I hate myself for being afraid and thinking too much.

Sexual harassment is not a joke. And being sexually harassed is not my fault.

#BraveTogether