4 ms·
I am not a lawyer, but: Apart from the "Milf" comment I don't see much in your description of events that would qualify as sexual harassment (at least not from
by rsp1984 10y ago
I am not a lawyer, but:
Apart from the "Milf" comment I don't see much in your description of events that would qualify as sexual harassment (at least not from my European view of things). Certainly unprofessional but not quite sexually harassing. As far as I understand, the transgressions were "only" verbal and there was no other inappropriate behaviour.
Here's what I would do: Collect all the facts and evidence about the BD person's inappropriate behaviour. This may involve talking to your employee about this again. Then take some quiet hours in the evening to review all of the facts. If, and only if, you come to the conclusion that the BD person's behaviour clearly qualifies as sexual harassment, get lawyers involved (and probably eventually fire).
If on the other hand you come to the conclusion that the comments were inappropriate but not sexually harassing, have a private and very serious and straight talk with your BD person about the events and that there is 0 tolerance for that behaviour, then move on. And of course fire the guy immediately if it ever happens again.
- Loughla 10y agoThis is the correct answer to the questions posted. Collect facts, review evidence, have the conversation or fire. Then follow up with female employee to inform her that he has been appropriately dealt with, and to inform you of any further transgressions. AND FUCKING DOCUMENT EVERYTHING
- snowwrestler 10y ago> Apart from the "Milf" comment I don't see much in your description of events that would qualify as sexual harassment Well yes, it might be hard to see the sexual harassment once you've decided to set aside the sexually harassing part.
- joering2 10y agoExcuse me, but where was it? Also, Milf can be sexual harassment. Sure. So can be telling someone "you look nice". I worked with someone that was bashed by HR by telling a co-worker "I like your new haircut". I didn't see it as SH. It depends on point of view.
- gommm 10y agoThere's a clear difference between "I like your new haircut" which I agree is not sexual harassment and MILF: Mother I'd Like to Fuck (which is just slightly above calling your coworker slut). The second sentence is sexual harassment.
- kristofferR 10y agoDoesn't there have to be persistence involved for something to become harassment instead of just being a single instance of a offensive/dumb/annoying comment?
- snowwrestler 10y agoNo, harassment is a violation of the norms of a professional workplace. If it only happens once, it still happened. It might not always be a firing offense, but at minimum it requires management to intervene and reset expectations.
- joering2 10y agouhm okay. So basically movies full of violence, drugs, guns, etc, and video games full of similar are fine. You wouldn't be offended if someone in your office plays Call of Duty right? But somehow telling someone you find them attractive (I'd like to Fuck) is offensive. Gee I feel bad for you... if that really offends you.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- gkya 10y agoWe don't know if the mentioned person's mother tongue is English. They may well not know that MILF is mother I like to f*ck. I'm from a non English speaking country and I can say that I haven't met anybody who'd know that. I myself didn't know that until I read a Wikipedia article. The OP should first try to see if this is the case, otherwise fire them. Some are bad at flirting, and sometimes you say silly things. We shouldn't be this generous at calling everything sexual harassment.
- rsp1984 10y agoI don't see a problem in that. I was pointing out that "Milf" would be the only thing in the series of events that could qualify as "sexually harrasing", and the others would not. That's a legitimate thing to do when trying to be objective in face of making some important decisions. A single qualifying statement is not a very firm basis to make decisions on. That's btw. why I was suggesting collecting all the facts.
- chadnickbok 10y agoApart from the "you're a mom I'd like to " comment... Once you break apart the acronym its pretty clear you should fire this guy.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- NetStrikeForce 10y agoIt's not your European point of view. I'm European and I find utterly disgusting and grounds for termination calling someone else a MILF.