Workplace - Sexual Harrassment (Article)

[blossom]

Not any more, but I'm really old now, lol! I don't miss the sleazy behaviours one bit. I can say with certainty that many of my much younger female colleagues get this sort of tulip all the time though and it is always unwelcome, and occasionally scary for them.

It was an issue in my twenties. Sexual harassment, blatant sexism, you name it. I used to work for a law firm in Manchester, where one of the senior partners used to refer to his departments secretarial pool as his 'hounds'. He used to ask them to get up on the desk and do a dance for him (no joking or irony).

I also used to work for ICL and had a few major issues with certain male colleagues behaviours but I wouldn't have thought of raising it, or calling them out. The agency wouldn't have tolerated such 'trouble making' with the client.

Things have changed a huge amount in the last 20/30 years, however, I'm still far too familiar with that old boardroom meeting full of 15 men and one woman - me. There are many more women entering IT but still not nearly enough.

[cojak]

Keep this thread professional please.

It was left here for a reason.

[NotAllThere]

Given the widespread chauvinistic attitude many of us witness or experience in the workplace, I felt a business thread was long overdue....

Why is this in B/C?

So a serious discussion can be had.

[LondonPM1]

Given the widespread chauvinistic attitude many of us witness or experience in the workplace, I felt a business thread was long overdue.

Today in the Financial Times is an expose of events that likely have happened at many work/charity gigs many of us will have attended over the years.

FT article preview via google, for non-subscribers:

https://preview.tinyurl.com/y8j54rgo
https://tinyurl.com/y8j54rgo

I've witnessed such behaviour before and found it difficult to talk to the men touching women inappropriately, as they are often the CEO/local area manager, or at the least someone in power.

The words from 'Ric' in the article's comments section don't chime well with me in the slightest. The number of comments referring to the investigation being 'unfair', just typical night out men behaviour, nothing to worry about - all seems very bizzare in the year 2018.

Do female contractors find this sort of thing is common experience for them at arranged work formal or casual events? If I have felt uncomfortable reporting it in the past (I still reported it) I can only imagine how uncomfortable a conundrum the victim must feel, although they should be able to safely report it knowing no negative effects will occur.

I am now really worried to ask a female out to lunch for fear of being accused of something untowards. It also means that if I am in a room one to one with a female I also feel like it might be construed as being incorrect.

Its sad that I can find solace and dates only on Tinder these days - Asking someone out who you meet in day to day life can lead you to getting into trouble

[BrilloPad]

Given the widespread chauvinistic attitude many of us witness or experience in the workplace, I felt a business thread was long overdue.

Do female contractors find this sort of thing is common experience for them at arranged work formal or casual events? If I have felt uncomfortable reporting it in the past (I still reported it) I can only imagine how uncomfortable a conundrum the victim must feel, although they should be able to safely report it knowing no negative effects will occur.

Why is this in B/C?

You have started with an assumption of guilt of MEN. And are not interested in the opinion of men harrassed by women.

The family courts are institutionally sexist. Hence women suffer in the workplace. However you are too fick to understand.

So why is this not moved to general? Oh yes. CUK sexism. Its fine to give men a good kicking. Because of all the centuries(millenia) women have suffered revenge must be sought.

Just one question. Which of the original CUK Eastwick witches did you boot out to join the diabolic trinity?

[northernladuk]

I guess some of the behaviour I've experienced since my first job at 14 could be construed in today's climate as being some form of harrassment. However, I don't ever recall feeling offended. I may have been a little uncomfortable on occasion but never to the point that I felt I had to do something I didn't want to do. Just realised that certain people are a bit creepy and you avoid them.

That was only 10 years ago though wasn't it so the climate can't be so different...

I think times change so it's not really a marker for what's acceptable or not. It's the same across the board. The stuff they did to me as an apprentice would have landed people with custodial sentences in this day and age.

Considering the times I've gotten way too drunk and poured myself into someone's lap, I'm not surprised I'm not being accused of historic abuse.

I'd guess the owner of said laps weren't overly offended so you'll be fine. More shots at the next CUK xmas do you are arranging me thinks though.

[original PM]

I guess some of the behaviour I've experienced since my first job at 14 could be construed in today's climate as being some form of harrassment. However, I don't ever recall feeling offended. I may have been a little uncomfortable on occasion but never to the point that I felt I had to do something I didn't want to do. Just realised that certain people are a bit creepy and you avoid them. Considering the times I've gotten way too drunk and poured myself into someone's lap, I'm not surprised I'm not being accused of historic abuse.

You are female therefore never at fault.

I also read this article this morning - it did seem to be not much more than thinly veiled 'supply of female escorts' with an option of 'extras' - seems some of the women interviewed were unaware of what they were getting into - and other knew exactly what it was and did it on a regular basis.

Either way it just seemed 'seedy'

[ladymuck]

I guess some of the behaviour I've experienced since my first job at 14 could be construed in today's climate as being some form of harrassment. However, I don't ever recall feeling offended. I may have been a little uncomfortable on occasion but never to the point that I felt I had to do something I didn't want to do. Just realised that certain people are a bit creepy and you avoid them. Considering the times I've gotten way too drunk and poured myself into someone's lap, I'm not surprised I'm not being accused of historic abuse.

[Eirikur]

most contractors don't go to formal or casual events (unless they are already inside IR35 anyway)

[northernladuk]

And if you think that's scarey wait until you see her CUK night out persona.. <shudder>

[cojak]

Nope, I haven't.

My work persona puts the slight fear of God into most men I work with - they wouldn't dare.

[contractorinatractor]

Given the widespread chauvinistic attitude many of us witness or experience in the workplace, I felt a business thread was long overdue.

Today in the Financial Times is an expose of events that likely have happened at many work/charity gigs many of us will have attended over the years.

FT article preview via google, for non-subscribers:

https://preview.tinyurl.com/y8j54rgo
https://tinyurl.com/y8j54rgo

I've witnessed such behaviour before and found it difficult to talk to the men touching women inappropriately, as they are often the CEO/local area manager, or at the least someone in power.

The words from 'Ric' in the article's comments section don't chime well with me in the slightest. The number of comments referring to the investigation being 'unfair', just typical night out men behaviour, nothing to worry about - all seems very bizzare in the year 2018.

Do female contractors find this sort of thing is common experience for them at arranged work formal or casual events? If I have felt uncomfortable reporting it in the past (I still reported it) I can only imagine how uncomfortable a conundrum the victim must feel, although they should be able to safely report it knowing no negative effects will occur.