An Office Romance Can Be a Bad Career Move
Shortly after my relationship with a company executive ended, I was let go. Because the company has been struggling, HR told me there was nothing I could do to prove there's a connection between the breakup and my firing. Is that true?
You should be asking this question of a lawyer, not the company's HR department. I mean what do you expect HR to say? "I think you have a great case, so go ahead and sue us"?
The reality is, it may very well be the case. When a company looks at its human resources, it preserves what helps it meet its business goals and may eliminate those that do not. That's the harsh reality.
Do you have a legitimate gripe? Absolutely. Do you have a case? Possibly not.
When someone brings a sexual harassment case against a company, the burden of proof is definitely on the company. The company is liable through what is called vicarious responsibility for its employees, and particularly for those employees in positions of leadership and influence. That being said, if you don't have documentation of inappropriate behavior, quid pro quo behavior, or a hostile environment, your case becomes significantly more difficult to try.
I agree that you need to talk with an attorney and understand if you even have a case or a chance of a case. For the future, though, you might want to re-think getting involved in ANY type of workplace relationship. Even if you maintain your employment, other issues such as peer-to-peer politics can become frustrating and overwhelming for you.