Ladies Stay Away from Mr. Thomas

Lisa Speaking:
Whether its Clarence or Isaiah, sexual harassment in the workplace is a very real and very serious experience as well as an egregious accusation. Since joining the ranks of the working force, women have experienced sexual harassment. We also have cases of women filing erroneous cases of harassment for various motives. Someone could perceive harassment that isn’t there. And yet still others will continue to work in sexually harassing workplaces for many other reasons. I am also quite certain that the number of men being sexually harassed in the workplace will rise, as more women enter leadership positions and chose to behave inappropriately with or toward their male subordinates.

Sadly, I have to say that some of these experiences rise from the inability of women (collectively) to recognize how their own behaviors with male colleagues permits an environment which teeters on the border between “overly-friendly, girly, flirty…” to sexually inappropriate. These interactions make it difficult for other women to be respected in the workplace. Those women are often referred to as “prudes” if they don’t giggle, welcome glances at their legs or backsides and encourage language that, again, goes to the border of inappropriate. I do recognize that the balance is difficult. We shouldn’t have to be asexual when in the workplace but at the same time we are all responsible for our behaviors in the workplace. And, those behaviors contribute to the workplace environment that others are subjected to. Although the balance is hard, it doesn’t mean you can ignore it.

Your Coach Speaking:
Evaluate the climate in your own office. Are you on the border? How so?
How could what you say or how you behave be perceived as sexual harassment? (Really think about this before you say “it can’t”)
Are you being harassed in the office? If you think so, talk to two separate people about it (outside the office). What do they say? Seek help if you need it. It may require you setting more limits or having a casual conversation with the person involved. It doesn’t have to rise to the level of legal action in many cases.
Are you the sex kitten I refer to above, who men in the office love? Could you be supporting an environment that offends and harasses others? You may not care- until you are called into the courtroom – or loose your job.

Act responsibly and professionally at all times. We are all counting on you.