How do YOU define sexual harassment?

Obviously inspired by the whole whole Cuomo thing but just generally. It seems these days that the whole subject is a minefield for everyone. Where does flirting and trying to start an office romance end and harassment begin?

For me, when the person who is the focus of attentions makes it clear that the advances are unwelcome but they should make this clear, you should ever assume that the other person gets the message because sometime they don't.

 

I might be over simplifying it but I think an easy definition would be any time you say or do something, not work related, to make the other person feel uncomfortable.

 

In today’s world, sexual harassment is anytime a white man does anything.

 

In my opinion, "harassment" implies an ongoing persistent situation. For instance, someone who is flirted with every day by a co-worker after having been told the flirtations are unwanted.

If the unwanted behavior includes touching, then simple battery, or sexual assault may be more a appropriate charge.

 

I went for "unwanted physical contact", but it can be also constant sexual allusion.

But basically, don't flirt on your workplace, there is dating apps/websites, personnal life to meet people, even if the theory is harder than the practice.

Pence rule is a little bit extreme, but it's fair and square.

 

I was thinking along the same lines... in today's world, sexual harassment is anytime that a white man is in the same room with a woman.

 

The pervasive unwanted (but doesn't necessarily have to be stated) use of sexual remarks to orient oneself in an ecological hierarchy.

 

Unwanted physical contact is the 'red line ', IMHO. But not jokes, ribald stories, etc.

Look at a lot of the stuff on network TV... you can see people almost totally naked, humping and grunting, and nobody has apoplectic fits over that anymore....

 

But how do you know it's unwanted?

 

Again, how do you know when it's unwanted?

 

That is the problem.

 

Maybe a slap upside the head? If one's too damn dense to see they're being rebuffed then they deserve what they get. No sympathy from me.

 

Is it though? I've never found it an issue and I'd suggest lots of other people don't either. A minefield will be a problem if you run in to it and jump up and down on suspicious looking mounds.

Well there is a question over whether flirting and office romances are a good thing either, and there will often be rules against them. I also very much doubt most cases of sexual harassment have anything to do with seeking any kind of relationship but are more about asserting (an appearance of) power. Harassment is a word that can have different meanings in different contexts but the general idea would be as others have said, repeated unwanted acts or behaviour.

I'd suggest you consider a scenario of you facing unwanted advances. What if a male senior manager where you worked started making comments about your appearance, touching you or hinting ("jokingly" of course) that having sex with him would advance your career, with everyone else laughing and joking along? You might fear that if you complain, to him or anyone else, it could cost you your job or just see you getting mocked and joked with even more.

To an extent, you're right. It shouldn't be necessary for the victim to complain directly to the offender though and any organisation should have ways in which that clear message can be got across (which isn't always the case). There is also a level of common sense and general professional behaviour which would cover a lot of issues.

 

I am okay with your standard generally. I personally don't think it is wise to try to dip your pen in the company ink unless the ink spills all over you first, and then only if the ink seeps through the floor and drips on your head from another department.

 

It's interesting how what folks believe is sexual harassment has changed over the years.. Once upon a time it used to be akin to extortion, requiring someone in a position of authority to require a subordinate to provide sex for retention or advancement. It morphed then to include creating a hostile workplace where culture couldn't include "offensive" behavior, which then was never actually quantified.

Now, it just seems that if a female or minority finds their boss offensive, in some way that might relate to but doesn't have to include sex is or can be a target of a claim.

 

You’ve never told an awkward joke before that didn’t land?

It’s not complicated. Just apply common sense.

 

Wrong! White democrats can do whatever they want.

 

The bottom line is that when 2 people hook up sexually, romantically regardless of the circumstances at some time in the process one or both of them has engaged in behavior that some idiot would think is harassment or even assault.

Once you tell somebody you desire them sexually that is wrong. Any kind of touching is assault.

 

You sure? Ask former Senator Al Franken. Also I'm pretty sure Andrew Cuomo isn’t feeling too privileged these days.

 

Continued is a vital word.

If someone asks you out on a date, that is not sexual harassment. You unequivocally say no, and they ask again, then you MAY have a case.

Someone tells an off color joke within your hearing, no. If you don't like hearing off color jokes, tell them so.

Some one complements your clothing/hair/shoes/perfume/cologne, no. They do it again, tell them politely thank you, but your compliments make me uncomfortable.

Touching is a clear line for some, and is a boundary best left unbreeched.

Without boring anyone with details, we are dealing with an ex-employee who filed a second-hand sexual harassment case. That one is a new one on me.....

 

Joe Biden is a digital rapist and the most power person in the world.

 

As I said the normal actions that occur when people ultimately have a romantic sexual relationship is today considered at the very least inappropriate and can be called assault. That is bullcrap.

Somebody has to make a move and more often than not that is the man and it is something called harassments or assault. At one point one of the 2 parties has to touch or say something. Romance and sex is not some legal meeting.

I remember working as a nurse and my medcart was next to the social worker's office. We had a good rapport and I told her she had a pretty face. The next time she walked past me she sensually rubbed my shoulder. One thing led to another and we had an affair. She was married and I was not. That is how people get together!

 

So let's talk philosophy

 

I wasn’t necessarily looking to make the conversation political. My perspective is that all white men have a target on their back. If you want to invoke Biden and at the same time ignore the serial misogynist, grab them by their jewels, former Republican groper and chief.....,,,okay????