A co-worker, who is male, made a comment saying that I was getting a belly and asked if I was going on a diet. If it isn't sexual is this any type of harassment? I feel it should be something. Help!
2007-08-08 05:52:05 · 16 answers · asked by ashley c 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
harassment? No. Rude? tell him it was rude and see if he apologizes.
2007-08-08 05:55:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
O.K. let's try to make sense of this.
First, sexual harassment is NOT A or B. It is a determined preceived harassing behavior which is not required to be ongoing and actually, is also not required to be explicitly sexual in nature.
That being said, what I can tell you is that a single incident, without a reported attempt to mitigate will fall on deaf ears when you try to 'get something'.
The EEOC is very clear on the process for filing either a SH or HW lawsuit. First, you must allow the employer time to correct the action(s). You have not said whether or not you have reported the incident to HR or your supervisor. If not, do so immediately.
The employer may take steps from talking with the individual to firing him but you have no legal right to know what those steps are. What you DO have is a right to have the behavior end.
Once the employer acts, and if the behavior continues, then you have the right to file a complaint with the EEOC However, until the EEOC either tells you in a "RIGHT TO SUE" letter that you have grounds for a lawsuit, you will not be allowed to file suit against either the company or the individual.
and if the employer employs less than 15 people in a 75 mile radius, the EEOC won't handle the complaint.
Therefore, my only advice on the facts presented is to file a formal complaint with your HR department and let them handle it.
2007-08-08 13:12:55 · answer #2 · answered by hexeliebe 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's a little rude and forward. You should really only be that frank with friends--and since you are asking this question (and I assume thinking about following up and screwing with his job), clearly he isn't your friend.
But no, this isn't really actionable. He's a jerk and rude, but people talk about people in the office all the time. He didn't go behind your back, and he was halfway constructive--he didn't call you names or imply that you are a bad or weak person. He pointed out a problem and asked if you were doing anything about it. Impolite, forward, and not his business, but not something that makes it tough for the two of you to work together.
You'll often be forced to work with rude, socially retarded, stupid, or lazy people. Unless he is really disrupting the workplace there isn't much you can have the (work) authorities do to him. Of course, you don't need to be nice to him!
2007-08-08 13:01:52 · answer #3 · answered by wayfaroutthere 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't try to get a harassment charge on someone when you can't take a little criticism. There is none and you're just looking for a way to get back at him. Maybe you are getting a belly and he's the only one with guts enough to tell you. You might want to heed his warning even though you might not want to hear it.
2007-08-08 14:03:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What would it matter? Do you want to get something out of him, an apology or a million dollars? It's not sexual harrassment; it was just rude. Move on.
2007-08-08 12:56:52 · answer #5 · answered by Flatpaw 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Was it a single question? Does he make a habit of making you feel insecure and telling chauvinist jokes? If he makes another inappropriate comment tell him very firmly you do not appreciate his opinion and if he ever does it again you will take it up with higher ups. Do not let him intimidate you into a whiney poor me girlie pose, you are as important as him and you deserve to be treated as such. Good luck.
2007-08-08 12:59:08 · answer #6 · answered by Princessa Macha Venial 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
nothing sexaul about it. Agree its rude. Then again is it rude to give congrats to a woman that looks pregnant but come to find out is not. hmmm? People make ***'s of themselves all the time dont be so offended amd get your panties in a bundle. :)
Nor is it SLANDER: it only effected your feelings not your name
2007-08-08 13:03:36 · answer #7 · answered by pan_n_pandora 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The 'better' part of me says that you shoudl ignore the dolt and move on. Sadly, rudeness is not illegal. And truly he is not worth the effort.
But the 'not so nice' side of me would have responded to him, "You've got an aS* on your shoulders. You gonna' do something about that?"
2007-08-08 13:01:33 · answer #8 · answered by Barb B 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its an insult if he`s laughing when he said that.
But what he said is not a sexual harassment.
2007-08-08 12:57:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree I think that this is creating a hostile work environment and you need to report him to the boss and see if anything is said if not then simply ignore this co worker . good luck .
2007-08-08 13:00:03 · answer #10 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
My question is, does it bother you more because:
A) he said it and is 100% right, or
B) because you are packing on the pounds?
Sexual harassment, give me a break, I am so sick of women screaming STALKER SEXUAL HARASSMENT HE LOOKED AT MY BOOBS OMG OMG OMG
2007-08-08 13:00:40 · answer #11 · answered by Noone i 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋