Guide To Avoiding Harassment Charges In The Workplace
Apparently some people are having trouble discerning what is and isn’t harassment in the workplace and are concerned that “politcal correctness gone mad” means that no one will ever be able to fancy and ask out anyone in the workplace ever again. Here’s a helpful guide for if you find yourself in this position.
Scenario 1:
Co-worker approaches fellow co-worker in the kitchen/break room
“Hi, do you fancy going out for a drink sometime?”
“Yeah, that’d be nice.”
They go out for a drink sometime. They eventually end up living together or married.
Conclusion: Not harassment
Scenario 2:
Co-worker approaches fellow co-worker in the kitchen/break room
“Hi, do you fancy going out for a drink sometime?”
“Sorry, no, not really interested.”
“Oh okay. That’s fine.”
Everyone leaves it at that. Nothing else ever happens.
Conclusion: Not harassment
Scenario 3:
Co-workers go out for drink (sex may or may not occur) but one co-worker makes it clear that they are ultimately not interested in any further relationship.
Other co-worker accepts that, they exchange pleasantries in future and get on with their jobs.
Conclusion: Not harassment
Scenario 4:
Co-workers go out for drink (sex may or may not occur) but one co-worker makes it clear that they are ultimately not interested in any further relationship.
Other co-worker gets angry, tells everyone at work, spreads rumours, corners them in the corridors, makes demands, touches them in a sexual manner against their will.
Conclusion: Harassment
Scenario 5:
Co-worker approaches fellow co-worker in the kitchen/break room
“Hi, do you fancy going out for a drink sometime?”
“Sorry, no, not really interested.”
Instigator corners fellow co-worker and/or touches them in any way.
“Are you sure? It’d be fun.”
“No thanks I’m NOT interested. I need to go now.”
Stops them from leaving in any way, keeps talking or let’s them go and then bitches about them to other co-workers.
Conclusion: Harassment
Scenario 6:
Co-worker is sitting at desk, other co-worker comes in and starts rubbing their neck or touching them in anyway without any prior indication that this okay behaviour. In an office situation, it is unlikely to be okay in pretty much any circumstances.
Conclusion: Harassment
Scenario 7:
Co-worker/s talks constantly about how’d like to do sexual things with co-worker or about their appearance. Or suggests that there has been a sexual relationship, regardless of whether one has existed or not.
Conclusion: could be considered harassment if it persists or affects the co-workers job prospects or professional reputation by implication with other co-workers.
Scenario 8:
Boss touches a subordinate in anything less than a professional manner or suggests in any way that their job prospects could be improved by going out for a drink/dinner with them or indulging in any sexual activity.
Conclusion: Harassment
Obviously this isn’t all of the possible scenarios but, seriously, is the gist of this really too complicated to understand..?
