Harrasment Issue

[sonz70]

In an office environment, me and a female co-worker flirt quite a bit. I actually have 3 co-workers, from different departments I flirt with on a regular basis. My question is, can a person, who isn't even involved in our discussions (IE, a passing co-worker overhears our flirtatious remarks) have a case for harrassment?

 

[ohtwell]

If you said something someone could take offense to, then probably so.


: ) Amanda

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: sonz70
In an office environment, me and a female co-worker flirt quite a bit. I actually have 3 co-workers, from different departments I flirt with on a regular basis. My question is, can a person, who isn't even involved in our discussions (IE, a passing co-worker overhears our flirtatious remarks) have a case for harrassment?

maybe he will blackmail you for a date

 

[sonz70]

Originally posted by: ohtwell
If you said something someone could take offense to, then probably so.


: ) Amanda

Even if the comment had nothing to do with them?

 

[PHiuR]

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: ohtwell
If you said something someone could take offense to, then probably so.


: ) Amanda

Even if the comment had nothing to do with them?

if it makes the co-worker uncomfortable...yea

 

[Pepsei]

yes, if a third party hears it, they can bring it up to HR and you'll be out the door. happens a lot.

 

[SilentZero]

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: ohtwell
If you said something someone could take offense to, then probably so.


: ) Amanda

Even if the comment had nothing to do with them?

Yes

 

[Praetorian7]

Unfortunately for you yes. Sexual harassment is all about perception. And if your actions offend said person (co-worker) you probably need to stop what you are doing, as innocent as it may seem to you. Could find you at the wrong end of a lawsuit or a pink slip.

 

[sonz70]

Originally posted by: Pepsei
yes, if a third party hears it, they can bring it up to HR and you'll be out the door. happens a lot.

that's so dumb

 

[ohtwell]

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: ohtwell
If you said something someone could take offense to, then probably so.


: ) Amanda

Even if the comment had nothing to do with them?

As ridiculous as it sounds, absolutely.


: ) Amanda

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: Pepsei
yes, if a third party hears it, they can bring it up to HR and you'll be out the door. happens a lot.

that's so dumb

yup, specially if it is an ugly fat chick. They will snitch on their mom

 

[Krk3561]

What the hell are you talking about that would offend?

 

[Pepsei]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: Pepsei
yes, if a third party hears it, they can bring it up to HR and you'll be out the door. happens a lot.

that's so dumb

yup, specially if it is an ugly fat chick. They will snitch on their mom

funny you mention this, the last incident at my company, the third party was some not so attractive woman who told the HR because she felt that there was a harrasment taking place so she had to help the first woman by exposing it to the HR and the guy was gone the next day.

 

[sonz70]

Originally posted by: Krk3561
What the hell are you talking about that would offend?

Just flirting with a few girls thats all, its mutual flirting, we go to the bars all the time together. the comments don't really get that lewd, but I'm just afraid of some lonely/depressed person hearing them, and running off to HR.

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: Pepsei
yes, if a third party hears it, they can bring it up to HR and you'll be out the door. happens a lot.

This is true. And you can't even count on good work performance to save you. HR's job is to keep the company out of court. They are supposed to tell everyone what the rules are regarding harrassment. That way if there's a complaint, the person can be terminated for not following the policy. And that protects the company if a lawsuit is filed because the company can demonstrate they dealt with the problem.

 

[Ranger X]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: Pepsei
yes, if a third party hears it, they can bring it up to HR and you'll be out the door. happens a lot.

that's so dumb

yup, specially if it is an ugly fat chick. They will snitch on their mom

I know what you mean. It's always those fatties that can only dream about getting sexually harrassed but no man would ever look at them in a sexual way.

 

[Praetorian7]

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: Krk3561
What the hell are you talking about that would offend?

Just flirting with a few girls thats all, its mutual flirting, we go to the bars all the time together. the comments don't really get that lewd, but I'm just afraid of some lonely/depressed person hearing them, and running off to HR.

If you are already afraid you need to re-evaluate your actions and decide if you are there to work or pick up women. And sexual harassment isssues tend to be guilty till proven innocent situations.

 

[OulOat]

I just went through the sexual harassment training seminar at my company. The answer is yes. If anyone else happens to overhear you, you could be out the door.

FYI, you could be also fired if you sexually harass someone after work if you are in the compansionship of your coworkers. IE, going out to the bars.

 

[sonz70]

Originally posted by: Praetorian7

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: Krk3561
What the hell are you talking about that would offend?

Just flirting with a few girls thats all, its mutual flirting, we go to the bars all the time together. the comments don't really get that lewd, but I'm just afraid of some lonely/depressed person hearing them, and running off to HR.

If you are already afraid you need to re-evaluate your actions and decide if you are there to work or pick up women. And sexual harassment isssues tend to be guilty till proven innocent situations.

Think that is what I will do.

I only brough this up, cause one of those unattarctive woman made a comment to one of the girls saying our behavior really wasn't appropriate for work ect etc etc. I'll just flirt in emails

 

[ohtwell]

I'd also advise you not to message someone at work and flirt with them that way. I'm pretty sure that can also be taken as sexual harassment if a co-worker walks by, sees it and is offended. I might be wrong, but I think that's true.


: ) Amanda

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: sonz70
In an office environment, me and a female co-worker flirt quite a bit. I actually have 3 co-workers, from different departments I flirt with on a regular basis. My question is, can a person, who isn't even involved in our discussions (IE, a passing co-worker overhears our flirtatious remarks) have a case for harrassment?

? NO ?

And is this actually a real story that happened to you?

 

[Pepsei]

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: Praetorian7

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: Krk3561
What the hell are you talking about that would offend?

Just flirting with a few girls thats all, its mutual flirting, we go to the bars all the time together. the comments don't really get that lewd, but I'm just afraid of some lonely/depressed person hearing them, and running off to HR.

If you are already afraid you need to re-evaluate your actions and decide if you are there to work or pick up women. And sexual harassment isssues tend to be guilty till proven innocent situations.

Think that is what I will do.

I only brough this up, cause one of those unattarctive woman made a comment to one of the girls saying our behavior really wasn't appropriate for work ect etc etc. I'll just flirt in emails

er, people got fired for emails like that at my company too.

 

[Praetorian7]

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: Praetorian7

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: Krk3561
What the hell are you talking about that would offend?

Just flirting with a few girls thats all, its mutual flirting, we go to the bars all the time together. the comments don't really get that lewd, but I'm just afraid of some lonely/depressed person hearing them, and running off to HR.

If you are already afraid you need to re-evaluate your actions and decide if you are there to work or pick up women. And sexual harassment isssues tend to be guilty till proven innocent situations.

Think that is what I will do.

I only brough this up, cause one of those unattarctive woman made a comment to one of the girls saying our behavior really wasn't appropriate for work ect etc etc. I'll just flirt in emails

Good. This will keep you out of a potentially ugly situation.

edit: as long as the emails are not at work

 

[sonz70]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004

Originally posted by: sonz70
In an office environment, me and a female co-worker flirt quite a bit. I actually have 3 co-workers, from different departments I flirt with on a regular basis. My question is, can a person, who isn't even involved in our discussions (IE, a passing co-worker overhears our flirtatious remarks) have a case for harrassment?

? NO ?

And is this actually a real story that happened to you?

No hasn't happened to me. I got accused of sexual harrasement at another job, but did not get fired. The girl's bf I was flirting with apprently got pissed off and forced her to complain. But I do like my present job, and don't want to lose it. We just had a site wide email regarding sexual harrasment, but it was really vague, so thats why I'm asking to clarify.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: ohtwell
If you said something someone could take offense to, then probably so.


: ) Amanda

Even if the comment had nothing to do with them?

Do not discuss sex, releigion or politics at work. You never know who will be offended and report you over it.