We had a health screening day approaching in which blood pressure taking and having employee's weighed were the main focus.
My co-worker busts out with, "I hope the Cardio vascular Medical Staff stops at the truck stop to get scales before they come here because the standard 300 pound scale won't work for 75% of the people checked".
People's jaws dropped and no one knew what to say!
Are there any legal consequences here?
2007-10-02 04:22:43 · 33 answers · asked by Reserved 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Yep, its called harassment and HR should do something about it.
2007-10-02 04:31:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 7⤋
Honestly, I think this person meant it as a joke. Today people are sometimes over sensitive over any fat jokes. You almost can't point out that anyone is fat, even if there is a 250 pound, 5.5 person standing in view.
I am not saying be mean to fat people, but sometimes a joke is a joke.
The only thing that I would consider doing is saying in a polite way :"I know you mean it most likely as a joke, but this kind of comment might hurt some people's feelings." And leave it at that. If the coworker then gets into a whole debate about it and gets mean, then I would talk to the boss.
2007-10-02 04:29:12 · answer #2 · answered by jelly tots 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It may have been rude, but I pray that our politically correct society hasn't gone so far as to make this an actual issue. Personally, I'd like to see FAT people TAXED extra for the strain they place on our roads, buildings and health-care.
When I was in the Navy, a number of us in our shop (ASW Analysis) were picking on one of our group and calling him "Pillsbury" or "Staypuff".
We were ALL aircrew, and in good health ranging from VERY fit to a slight tummy. He was only 24, and supposed to be a rescue swimmer... but in only a few months had transformed to a "porker", and honestly DESERVED the razzing.
He was whining and whining and whining about the "mistreatment" and actually went to the Legal Department on the ship !! The Operations Officer (a Commander and our direct boss) came into the shop with the memo regarding the complaint... screaming "Petty Officer Lalley?? Petty Officer Lalley?? Petty Officer Lalley??"
The Admiral was in our shop checking on some tracks, looked up, and said "Hey Ops... Pillsbury is at lunch !!"
Everyone laughed... the ADMIRAL knew Lalley's nickname.
2007-10-02 04:48:04 · answer #3 · answered by mariner31 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Why would I have to "do" anything? If this person were my friend, and had asked for my advice about how to get along better with others, then maybe I'd have something to say. If I were in that place, I would just realize that this person has a lack of social skills and move on to other things.
2007-10-02 04:28:20 · answer #4 · answered by Glen Ulmer 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can always report someone like that to a higher authority. I am sure your job has some kind of consequences available for people who are disrespectful and ill-mannered towards others. I don't know of any legal consequences against people who verbally abuse others. If that person would have of physically assaulted someone there then legal actions would be able to be taken against that person but I don't know of any law against one instance of verbal abuse. If the worker had a record of continuously being verbally abusive then that could be seen as some form of harassment which could provoke legal action but other than that, no.
2007-10-02 04:31:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Being careful of the feelings of the obese is doing them no favor. Like telling them, "You're not fat you're big boned." Or that "Big girls have such sweet personalities." I gained some weight this summer while laid up after an accident. Did I get kidded about it!!! You bet, but I'd still be carrying all of those twenty pounds today if my buds hadn't continually asked me, "When does the baloon go up?" We are not all meant to look like models, of course. But our health is our responsibility. Whatever it takes to make people quit smoking and shed pounds is OK. Ultimately we all pay the cost of healthcare.
2007-10-02 04:33:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
People like this often try to cover up their own shortcomings by pointing out those of others. They seldom look in the (proverbial) mirror because they are afraid of what they might see.
I do think we are a bit too PC these days but I think if everyone gave this guy the cold shoulder for awhile he would get the clue.
2007-10-02 04:30:39 · answer #7 · answered by m_c_m_a_n 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like he was stating a fact in a roundabout way. That the people at the job were mostly overweight. There is nothing illegal about that.
Maybe the slack-jaw employees would do well to listen to what he said: They are overweight and should do something about their health.
2007-10-02 04:26:41 · answer #8 · answered by equal_opposites 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Go to the gym and tighten up fatty!! and these comets wont faze you.
The fact is we have tons (literally) of people that are disgustingly fat in America. I know, I know they all have thyroid issues.
If you are fat and are offended because someone calls you fat then lose weight. Don't run to a lawyer trying to make a buck...that is just sad.
The next time you ty on some pants and ask 'do these pants make me look fat?' the answer is no. Your fat makes you look fat.
'"peoples jaws dropped" ..then they crammed in another donut from the last meeting they saved in their pocket. LOL
2007-10-02 04:31:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Keep silent and never look to the people involved and to your co-worker as if you heard nothing.That will minimize embarrassment to those people.
You may also ask forgiveness of your co-workers' action.
Legal case is "Oral defamation".
2007-10-02 04:48:22 · answer #10 · answered by poorguy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the comment was made towards no-one specific than NO there are NO legal consequences!
Bad taste YES! Illegal NO!
2007-10-02 04:31:42 · answer #11 · answered by me4tennessee 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋