Is it unethical for a 35 year old dentist to send sexually suggestive messages to an 18 yr. old high school student that works at his office?
2007-06-30 05:55:38 · 11 answers · asked by supermommy 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
He could be in deep trouble if someone turns him in.
2007-06-30 06:03:31 · answer #1 · answered by Vinegar Taster 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO.
There is nothing in the ethical standards of being a dentist that says he can not make such comments to the staff.
However, even if not unethical, it could be immoral or illegal.
Is he married? Is she? If either are married, it is immoral.
If they are both single, then the issue is the employer and employee relationship.
If she feels uncomfortable about it, she needs to tell him and ask him to stop. If he continues, she can file a sexual harassment complaint against him. If it is so bad she has to leave and find another job, then it should definitely be reported. Such behavior is illegal.
If she likes the attention and flirts back, then it is called making a pass. It is not immoral, unethical or illegal. She may end up with a rich dentist husband but more likely he is out for a fling and some easy sex.
2007-06-30 13:05:47 · answer #2 · answered by forgivebutdonotforget911 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The profession of the dentist doesn't matter, really. If the sexually suggestive nature of the messages would be apparent to anyone (not only to a hypervigilant parent), it's sexual harassment and would not be tolerable in any work setting.
Step one is to save copies. Step two is to demand it stop. If it does, that's the end (although if I were the student, I'd look for other work). If it doesn't, all kinds of organizations and agencies would be glad to give the dentist the comeuppance he's asking for.
2007-06-30 13:03:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's unethical if she is an employee. It's sexual harassment, because she may feel pressured to accept or overlook his advances as a condition of continued employment.
If she wants to date the pervert, she should find another job someplace; if she doesn't, she should tell him respectfully and politely that she's not interested in receiving suggestive messages like the ones he's been sending.
She should also document whatever happens, because if she gets mysteriously "laid off" after telling him to "buzz off", she will have enough of a case to at least score a decent severance deal.
2007-06-30 13:04:32 · answer #4 · answered by oimwoomwio 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES!!!! No matter what method this freak is using to send these messages......SAVE IT!!!! Documentation will save you from a "he said- she said" situation. Call the Medical Board in your area and REPORT him!!!!! If he's doing this to this 18 year old, what else is he capable of (or already) doing?
2007-06-30 13:05:18 · answer #5 · answered by Cinner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Illegal--probably not. Unethical-- definitely!
2007-06-30 12:59:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. That would most definitely qualify as sexual harassment in the work place. It doesn't matter if she's 18 or 58 - he shouldn't be doing that. But then again, she might like it...which means she most likely wouldn't pursue any incrimination...
2007-06-30 12:59:25 · answer #7 · answered by smellyfoot ™ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In today's world it is very bad. This is the stuff that lawyer's love. It is called sexual harassment and is good for big settlement money.
2007-06-30 12:59:17 · answer #8 · answered by ignoramus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it makes you feel uncomfortable then you need to tell him to stop. I'm not sure about ethics, but it's harassment if it's unwanted.
2007-06-30 12:58:34 · answer #9 · answered by cdn_womanandmom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Um what do you mean? Like "bring me those exrays...and by the way I wanna do ya"?
2007-06-30 12:59:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋