I work in a retail environment and most of the employees and manager have been trying to get this older lady to retire for years (she's approximately 75). The other day a colleague of mine knocked on the bathroom door; there was no response so she walked into the restroom. She goes into find the 75 year old lady sitting on the toilet! This is the third time my colleague has found the older lady using the bathroom without the door locked and not replying to knocks. Could this be construed as sexual harassment on the part of the older lady (maybe she wants people to walk in on her?) Any thoughts?
2007-09-01 16:37:02 · 8 answers · asked by Meg 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It could be seen as a form of harssment. Your manager should be contacting their boss to get specifics. If anything, contact your HR dept. and possibly file a formal complaint.
2007-09-01 17:31:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. It is much more highly likely that the woman has health problems that need attending.
If you jump to the "Sexual Harassment " conclusion, it is much more likely to be interpreted that you not only immature and insensitive, but are not a team player and practicing age discrimination and you will likely find yourself on the short end of the stick (fired...most state are "at-will" employment and anyone can be fired for any reason or no reason at all", especially if this woman has a strong track record for the store.
If you want to stay in this environment, the best tactic would be to befriend the woman so she will be more comfortable with you and your concerns with her passing out/falling asleep on the commode and that you are afraid for her health and maybe she should seek medical treatment.
If the woman has a strong prior track record with the store and is made to realize it is time to retire by HER DOCTOR, she is likely to pass the torch/highly recommend someone who can deal with sensitive situations with the dignity they deserve, and that could be you if you play your cards right, if that is what you want.
If not, find another job in retail as those jobs are a dime a dozen.
2007-09-02 10:41:37 · answer #2 · answered by bottleblondemama 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, this is NOT considered sexual harassment. Someone should have a conversation with the old lady and let her know that she MUST lock the bathroom door when she's in there.
2007-09-01 23:46:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No it can't. She's an older woman, and I can tell you the defense will rip that apart. They'll say that she has bad hearing, that the doors lock doesn't properly work, that she's embarrassed to answer to people when using the bathroom.
Also, there is nothing overtly sexual about this claim.
2007-09-01 23:45:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think that the only way this would be constructed as sexual harrassment is if the old lady left the toilet door open.
2007-09-01 23:54:59 · answer #5 · answered by Acyla 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Um what? No. Did you ever consider the possibility that she was hard of hearing?? That's messed up. She has a right to work just like everyone else. You all seriously need to grow up.
2007-09-01 23:45:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
i guess it can be construed any way a person wants it ,i would be more inclined to think that her age(75) she just does not give it any thought,why would she want people to walk in on her, have tryed talking to her about it??
2007-09-01 23:50:23 · answer #7 · answered by notsohardtofigure 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
lol..no
2007-09-02 00:11:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋