Q: I am a manager of the human resources department in a company that employs approximately 150 people. We had to fire one of our employees for refusing to submit to an observed drug screening, which was required because he had failed the random drug screening. I did not handle the termination personally; his plant manager did. But since then, he has tried to get me fired. He even has followed me around town, which I reported to the police. He has a friend who still works here and who furnishes him with every updated policy the company releases so he knows all the details about our daily operations. This terminated employee has filed a sexual harassment charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming that I bared my breast to entire departments (an obvious lie).

A few weeks ago, my boyfriend was assaulted by another one of his "friends" who used to work at the company, but my boyfriend didn't want to file a police report because the man has a nine-year prison record and would not hesitate to follow through on his death threat if my boyfriend talks.

I don't know why he personally hates me. One reason could be that I once rudely responded to him when he asked me a question about my split with my husband. I told him "to mind his own damn business." What can I do about the employee who still works here and is friends with these two men?

A: It is not illegal to give copies of company policies to a former employee. It is illegal to stalk someone and arrange for a person to be assaulted. Your boyfriend should have filed a police report. If the ex-offender was on probation, he would have been returned to prison immediately. If not on probation, he still would have been jailed immediately, tried and returned to prison. You are dealing with a criminal element, so stop trying to make sense of their actions, even if you were rude at one time to one of them.

Spend the money to hire a lawyer and a private investigator to prove the connection of the three men against you. Your company originally hired the ex-offender, so it also might be held liable. You don't want to alienate your company, but the possible liability may encourage the company to support you and use its legal department to go after these men.

Complaining Office Mate Spreads Negativity

Q: I share an office with a woman who is always negative and complains about the company. Some of her complaints are legitimate, but I don't want to get involved or even hear it. I think that if you can't or are not willing to change a situation, you should keep quiet. In short, complaining doesn't ever help. How can I stop her without sounding ornery myself? It is a character trait I truly dislike.

A: Politely acknowledge your co-worker's unhappiness ("I hear you and understand that you're unhappy"). Then ask whether she has thought of looking for a new job. If she says that is not a possibility, tell her that because she has made the decision to stay, she will be happier if she stops focusing on what bothers her and is thankful for the job she has. You are right about complaining. Without action, it has no purpose in life.

Please send your questions to: Lindsey Novak, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. E-mail her at [email protected], or visit her Web site at www.LindseyNovak.com. To find out more about Lindsey Novak and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.