Workplace SH warrant legal action?
Reposting this here as I received an overwhelming response to my post on r/auscorp. I received many comments and dms to take legal action against my manager. I am not convinced to do this at all as there are larger ramifications of doing this, like potentially destroying my career. I am curious to see if any lawyers or people with experience in this have a view on my situation?
Updates to my original post: My manager is actually my senior manager and best mates with the CEO. He has strategically built a fort of allies in the executive team who despite being aware and witnessing his behaviours in general, would 1000% protect him for their own preservation. I work in a medium sized corporate in insurance and we do have HR procedures but as mentioned I would be very hesitant to ring that bell.
Ok OG post here:
Things my manager has said and done that with more context other factors has made me want to quit:
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“Don’t let yourself go” Cautionary warning after he noticed I gained weight.
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Do I look Sexy??? At a pre-booked lunch where he didn’t eat and we sat in a cafeteria while I ate Sushi. Meanwhile took my colleague of similar “rank” for a 2 hour lunch at a nice restaurant.
3.Asked if my husband has his genitals waxed because of his nationality and if he was “good in bed”
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Said me and my partner only have left leaning beliefs because we’re poor.
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Told me my job worth is only $60k per year when I asked for recognition for the additional workload I took on when 2 colleagues were on Mat leave, and one quit, for no additional monetary benefit or even a thanks.
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Told a work colleague in an open conversion that if she isn’t sleeping with her husband enough that he is probably cheating on her. Made her cry.
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Regularly comments on colleagues appearance and physiques in the office and I see in staring at women’s asses when she walks by.
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Hired a young attractive Asian woman to be my new manager (he has openly spoken about only wanting to date Asian women because at his age (60+) it’s the best he can get physically) this girl and he are always whisking away together and joined at the hip at every work function / Christmas parties etc. since her promotion was announced I have has multiple friends/colleagues of mine from around the company come up and tell me “rumours” about them sleeping together on company time, taking overseas trips together and funnily enough she invited him to her wedding recently.
There’s so much more but these are the prominent ones that come to mind. I feel like I’m losing my mind. How common is this behaviour in corporate? Is this something you just have to learn to be ok with to survive? Or am I just too sensitive?
Posted Apr 29, 2026, 7:43 AM UTC