Is This Sexual Harassment ?

[DFIB]

If there are women in the firehouse or station and someone puts on porn- softcore, hardcore, sex toys, or whatever- they are asking for trouble. THAT certainly can and will be construed as harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Besides-I'm certainly no prude, but why would you watch something that might get you all worked up and not be able to do anything about it- not to mention the fact you are surrounded by a bunch of guys? That's just creepy if you ask me. And yes, I know you are female- just making a point.

Next time your coworker smiles at you over their computer screen .... are you gonna have to wonder?

[Lone Star]

Sexual harrassment laws were enacted to protect employees from predatory supervisors/bosses who would do things like base emplyment/promotions on obtaining 'sexual favors' from the employee. Unfortunately, it's been so loosly worded that people who get 'the story' second or third-hand can be 'offended' and file a complaint.

While working with a female partner, we spent a couple shifts swapping jokes that those who are more conservative than we were might blush at. Neither of us were 'offended' by the jokes and we had a good time. Someone I thought of as a friend asked the female partner what it was like to work with me. When she (the partner) told her(the alleged friend) about the shift with me, the alleged friend went straight to the Operations Manager and filed a sexual harrassment complaint. I was caled on the supervisor's carpet and given a 'stern talking to' about the company's "Zero tolerance for sexual harrassment" policy.

After giving the female partner the 'cold shoulder' the next time we met, the story came out, and we were able to figure out who filed the complaint.

The complainant wasn't in attendance when the 'offending jokes' were being told (by BOTH of us!), and therefore shouldn't have had any grounds to file a complaint. You CAN'T be 'offended' for someone else!

[hatelilpeepees]

Good point, but I imagine most of you have some sort of policy that states that employees MUST report policy violations if they are aware of them or they will get in trouble. I know that it is a rarely used policy, but most services have some version as a gotcha.

[Just Plain Ruff]

When did the city get a small group of people who think that they are the collective conscience of the entire site? I don't get it.

Nope not the service I work for nor the hospital/client I consult for.

that's like saying if you hear a joke and you don't find it offensive but you think someone else might find it offensive then you have to tattle on the people telling the joke. That's about the stupidist thing I've ever heard.

If I hear a joke that is off color why is it my responsibility to go to the supervisor and say "hey I heard a dirty joke and I thought someone might be offended so I have to report it"

If I find it offensive then I'll say something.

If I reported every joke that my next door cubicle neighbor here at my lcient tells then I better put a permanent chair in my boss's office because i'm going to be there every single day.

It's not practical and it's like big brother. that type of policy reminds me of a certain country in ww2 that had their citizens so paranoid and scared that they reported their neighbors. It also reminds me of the McCarthy era communist hearings where in order to get away from the hearings without being blacklisted you had to name other communists.

I'm not going to report something that "might be considered offensive" to someone else. That is not my responsibility

[DFIB]

Have you ever read the crucible?

If some dude wants to watch porn at work and I am aware but are not asked to participate, comment or observe I couldn't care less. I set a pretty high standard for myself but by no means try to enforce or expect similar behavior by others. I may consider their behavior, weird but if no rules are broken that I am required to report I will mind my own business. I also will not be a whistleblower to things that are insignificant. If I observe something inappropriate I think needs to be addressed. I will talk directly to the offender. I will tell them that I am required to report their behavior and will if they do not cease and desist. This does not apply for illegal or criminal behavior which must be reported to the appropriate authorities. If their behavior becomes a problem I talk to the boss. Life needs not be that complicated. If the dude is dumb or careless enough to let his behavior affect others or his job, then it is his responsibility, his problem. I am not the behavior police.

[HERBIE1]

Next time your coworker smiles at you over their computer screen .... are you gonna have to wonder?

Nah. We have WiFi at work, and many folks bring their laptops. Some play video games, some check sports scores, some check their email or do work, some study, and occasionally someone gets a dirty email/joke and shares it with those who are interested, and I see absolutely nothing wrong with that at all. Now if everyone is sitting in the day room watching the community TV, there is no way anything porn related(and I'm not talking about a quick show of T&A in an R rated movie here) should be on for everyone to see.

[DwayneEMTP]

So if I were asleep in the bunkroom...., and you came in and ran your hands over parts of my body that are offlimits to everyone who works there, you should get a written warning and a chance to do it a second time ?...

That depends, did you draw a little lipstick heart with a smiley face under it on my locker before clocking out after work? If so, then yeah....

... And on my cable package there are two stations that are pretty explicit, one shows Girls Gone Wild episodes two nights per week, and one is like a home shopping network show for exotic toys, where the women go into great detail about the toys and show them on tv...

You knew all of that off the top of your head? Holy shit...I think I'm in love!

[mobey]

You knew all of that off the top of your head? Holy shit...I think I'm in love!

Sorry bud, her screename clearly rules out your "kind"

[Eydawn]

Ooh, Mobes, BURN!

LOL

Wendy

CO EMT-B