A student told my boss that while she was working in the lab with me (female), I was inappropriate with her. She said she was uncomfortable working with me any longer and asked to be mentored by someone else who really wasn't in a position to mentor anyone. All claims like this have to be reported to the head of the department. Everyone I worked with started talking about me without even knowing the details I discussed it with no one but my boss (and my husband at the time).

This girl had worked with me for several years and we never had any problems. I couldn't believe she was saying these things. She would talk to me about lots of things and I tried to help her with her life problems but I did not discuss my life much with her. I never touched her, I rarely touch people, I just don't like to.

Turns out she was just mad that I recommended that she get a D for her independent study project. She didn't show up for 75% of the time she was supposed to be in the lab. When she was there, she didn't really work. She had gone from being a decent person to kinda worthless in a semester (apparently man problems). Anyway, she admitted in an email to me she made it all up and I sent it to the people in charge.

That was four years ago and I still haven't fully recovered the damage to my reputation. I also don't trust any of the students and am never alone with one if I can help it. I don't try to mentor people anymore and only work with people when I have to.