3 ms·
Here's a tip - most laws are reasonable. Besides, no-one is likely to accuse you of harassment unless they actually feel harassed, and want to really screw you
by wisty 15y ago
Here's a tip - most laws are reasonable. Besides, no-one is likely to accuse you of harassment unless they actually feel harassed, and want to really screw you over.
Are we talking about a boss frequently asking an employee on a date, despite the power difference, and the employee saying no several times? A co-worker making crude and embarrassing remarks, using sleazy pick-up lines, pulling pranks, and other crap? Or is it like asking someone, "hey, so ... would you like to go on a date sometime? I'm free this Saturday, would you like coffee" once or twice. One of these things is not like the others.
You are allowed to ask a co-worker on a date, in most jurisdictions. Even if you aren't, you are only likely to be accused of anything if someone feels really pissed off at you. You aren't allowed to behave in a way that is making someone feel harassed.
- yummyfajitas 15y agoYou aren't allowed to behave in a way that is making someone feel harassed. You don't think it's a problem that the definition of legal behavior is dependent on another person's feelings?
- wisty 15y agoI think that in practice, you don't need to be psychic. I think the judge will ask "would a reasonable person know this behavior, in this context, would be likely to cause offense?". The reason for it being dependent on the other persons feelings is that you can't just say "sure, I know she's a prude, but most women wouldn't take offense to that". Like I said, the law tries to be reasonable. Will a judge or jury say "Your behavior was that of a reasonable person, and there's no way you could have known that asking her out would cause a flashback to (whatever), but it's her feelings that matter, not yours"?