Client behaves inappropriately toward you — harassment & safety

You never have to accept sexual comments, touching, threats, or slurs as 'part of the job'. Name it, step away if needed, document it, and report it to your agency — they are required to address it, and you may refuse an unsafe assignment.

1. 1Set the boundary once, clearly and calmly: 'That's not okay. I'm here to help with your care, and I need you to stop.'
2. 2If it continues or you feel unsafe, step out of the room or leave the home — your safety comes before the task list. Call your agency from a safe place.
3. 3Consider the cause without excusing it: dementia and some conditions can cause disinhibition — that changes the CARE TEAM's response, not your right to be safe.
4. 4Document every incident: date, time, exact words/actions, what you did. Patterns matter for the agency's response.
5. 5Report to your supervisor the same day. You may request reassignment; retaliation for reporting is illegal.
6. 6If it's a family member harassing you, the same rules apply. If you're ever physically threatened, leave and call 911, then the agency.

IPs: report to CDWA and discuss with the case manager. SEIU 775 members can get support from the MRC. You are a professional in a workplace — the law sees the client's home that way while you work there.