I have a part-time job at a tea store in japan. I have been working there for some time but we just had a team switch and this new middle aged guy is now our manager. My co-workers have a crush on him because of his looks, charisma, and kindness, and so I didn't think anything of him being overly touchy. I was on evening shift and was cleaning the receipts at the reception, there was not many customers so he sat next to me, saying he'll keep me company. He was showing me a funny video on his phone and when we were laughing he put his hand on my thigh. I got uncomfortable but brushed it off since he was a "kind guy" but as he scrolled to another video his hand started going up so I pushed him off and said don't touch me, he got visibly annoyed and said in a quiet voice "aren't we friends? why are you making it weird? do u like me?" I was confused and overwhelmed so I didn't know what to say and all of a suddenly he had the ugliest most disgusting gaze and I got these pervert vibes from him so I excused myself and went out to the back of the shop. I left early that night and avoiding evening shifts but yesterday a similar thing happened where I was in the storage room sorting out boxes and I bent down to pick something up then this pig was right behind me staring with that same look in his eyes. I yelled and he had this innocent look on his face when a female co-workers came in and in the end it looked like I was the crazy pervert one! I'm so mad and disgusted, he offered to walk me home that same night but I was so scared I called my friend to pick me up. before I left he told me no-one would believe me and if I told anyone he would hurt me. I'm so scared because one of the first few days when he acted nice he walked me home and so knows my address and I don't think the police would do anything since there's no evidence and I don't know what to do and I'm so stressed and need advice. I told my mum about it and she said I just wanted attention and was overthinking.
Is my manager just being friendly or is this sexual harassment? when confronted he stated its because were friends?
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That is sexual harassment. First as a manager, he shouldn't be getting personal, ie in your bubble watching a video, ESPECIALLY where he made physical contact. His hand on your leg alone, then to say "Aren't we friends?" Sorry bud, you're the manager, you don't get that right. This goes both ways also, *for your friends/coworkers*. People will tell you that no one will believe you, is their attempt to make you feel isolated. There are people out there that will believe you. Especially your Human Resource person at your job. More so if there are video camera's that will pick up everything happening at work. Another thing you can do, just start a recording on your phone, even if its just picking up audio, it will give you more to stand on should you choose.
"sat next to me, saying he'll keep me company" WTFF? Wasn't there something productive he could have been doing? Why didn't he help you count?
"he told me no-one would believe me and if I told anyone he would hurt me."
Get the hell out.
That's sexual harassment. He would be in your pants by now if you had let him continue with what he does.