Work Ethics

Sexual harrassment!

It certainly would be if it were the other way round.

What he said.

Equality means just that - they'd have been fuming if you'd done that to them - I'm willing to bet.

quote:

Originally posted by MichaelC:
Sexual harrassment!

I don't know about your jurisdiction but in New Zealand sexual harrassment complaints cannot be based on a single incident - they must be repeated and there must be a detrimental effect on the complainant.

One might have learned a great deal from returning the compliment?

quote:

Originally posted by FISBEY:
On Friday last, a girl (married in her 30's) here in the office 'patted' my backside.

To be honest I feel a little put out by it, not least because I feel it's somewhat inappropriate behaviour.

Perhaps you might find a convenient moment to have a quiet word with her about it, and say something like, "I appreciate that you didn't mean any harm but I found it embarrassing and inappropriate, and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't do it again"?

What about the "you look nice today" statement?

A completely innocent and flattering comment that is subsequently construed to mean that she looked like a bag of shit on all other days (what! ) and this results in a sexual harassment charge against the guy who made such an innocent remark!

Unless it's your boss or a colleague who has some clout it's best ignored. As a passive recipient, you've nowt to fear, so why fuel the nasty PC brigade by reacting to it?

Lighten up chaps! - unless this woman makes a habit of it despite your lack of positive reactions in her direction for her so doing.

The reality, fellow males, is that if a bloke makes an unwanted move on a woman she has to react to it in a proactive adverse fashion, else such activity on your part will be perceived to be admissible.

Reverse the roles, and as a bloke, doing fuck-all about it should be sufficient to give her the message that you are just not interested.

If she persists then you tell her to FRO. If that doesn't work you take it further. Simple as.

OK, if it happened to me given that I'm happy in my relationship:

First occasion I'd just smile and feel a tinsy bit flattered, after all, no harm done. If it happened again I'd ask her why she kept doing it + I'd then tell her that I was happy in my relationship.

If it continued, I'd ask why she was STILL doing it. If that didn't work I'd start issuing the appropriate warnings.

Only the weak-minded need to resort to early complaints of sexual harassment - like they were enjoying the attention a bit too much and wanted some more...

...attention I mean.

Best flatter them though - else no Woman has no fury...

Steve

Whatever your reaction might have been, I think Fisbey's own reaction is perfectly valid and the one that matters.

quote:

Originally posted by FISBEY:
(married in her 30's) here in the

An appropriate seed of doubt planted in the other-half's mind come the next company bash (e.g. 'your wife is very affectionate'), in the presence of the aforementioned bum patter, would probably get the message across.

Mind you that is probably extremely unethical...

thanks for the replies, I think 'confused' is probably the nearest description to the way I felt at the time. I think the fact that girl is Swedish MAY explain her behaviour somewhat.

I think I'll leave it until the next time (if there is one) at which point I'll say something.

Not very good with office flirtations, but I guess I'm a fairly friendly sort of bloke, which may make me something of a target to the above kind of behaviour...

Well, if only you'd mentioned she was swedish to start with....hang on, I'm married to one!

Does she pat her workmates bums?

quote:

Whatever your reaction might have been, I think Fisbey's own reaction is perfectly valid and the one that matters.

Making mountains out of molehills is a valid reaction. Whilst emotional response cannot be controlled, the chosen course of action as a result can be.

Fisbey,

Turn the other cheek.

C

But not in cycling shorts!

Talking of which, I was sat on my motorcycle outside a local library three of four years ago and a young bloke started talking to me, I have to admit I thought he was a bit 'odd', but as he was asking about the bike etc I thought 'fair enough', however just as I was about to leave he grabbed hold of my bum and then very quickly ran into the library!

Must've been all the leather gear I was wearing

Don't worry. We won't tell anyone. Bum's the word.