sexual harassment on seetec course?

ohreally

cat_777 wrote: »

so i said i did not want to go in and write the statement with her.
she said i could write it myself if i wanted but i don't now how to do it
i wish i had just left it and not said anything now.

Do you have someone you could ask to assist you with this?

If not consider approaching an organisation such as Womens aid for some advice on writing a statement or perhaps a trusted individual on here may walk you through a statement (by pm if you feel more comfortable).

Guest101

sangie595 wrote: »

And I am calling B.S. on that. That IS sexual harassment. There is no requirement to comment on someone's looks in a workplace. It is not someone else's responsibility to have to tell you how to act appropriately in a workplace.

Astonishing how many people appear to be under the impression that the only unsafe subject to talk about in a workplace is work!

I think the response was more generalised than just the work place.

The initial point was its harassment if the person perceives it as such, but that is not the case.

The reasonable person test comes into it: which is where your argument on the workplace would be valid. Ie the reasonable person would not say that in a work place, but might if they were in a social circle.

generalising 'harassment' as any behaviour that a person finds uncomfortable or offensive does a diservice to genuine victims.

Even the Police issue PINs to those reported to highlight that their behaviour is making the 'victim' uncomfortable and they don't wish it to continue.

What we should be doing is encouraging everyone, men and women, to say: 'I'm not interested in hearing that, don't speak to me like that again'. - if it continues then escalate it

Undervalued

sangie595 wrote: »

No it won't. This is not a court of law. The training provider can decide that they believe her and not them. Just because there are two of them does not mean that they will be believed. Bullying and harassment are often done in secret, but that does not mean that people always get away with it.

Yes, they can but that doesn't mean they will. Reading the OP's later posts it rather seems they haven't.

The do have a duty to be fair. Unless either or both admitted the behaviour they would be on dangerous ground dismissing two people from the course based on a single uncorroborated complaint.

This is why I suggested earlier that the OP should, initially, make very clear to the alleged perpetrators that their comments are unwelcome and that any further incidents will be reported. Had she did this, ideally in front of a witness or failing that recording the conversation, she would have had some evidence to back up a complaint if the behaviour continued.

Undervalued

TBagpuss wrote: »

I agree with all of this.

At the very least, they should take steps to ensure that you can complete the course without harassment. Ideally that would mean moving the perpetrators, either off the course completely or to a different course.
If they are not prepared to do that then they should offer you the opportunity to transfer to the next available course, with no additional cost. However, I think that you would be entirely reasonable to tell them that you expect to be able to complete the course you singed up for and have started, and that they requires that they, rather than you, are moved.

Alleged perpetrators!

Obviously I have every sympathy for the OP if she has suffered the behaviour she describes.

However it would be quite wrong for the course provider to take action against two other participants without either some evidence or admission.

They do not know what axes any members of a course may have to grind with each other. Sadly people do from time to time make totally unfounded or wildly exaggerated accusations. I agree with Sangie where s/he says they are not of court of law. However everybody and every organisation needs to do its best to act fairly to all parties. Throwing two people out based on one person's accusation with no evidence is not acting fairly.

xapprenticex

ScorpiondeRooftrouser wrote: »

It is absolutely not appropriate to comment on anybody's legs in a workplace.

Ups...

sangie595 wrote: »

And I am calling B.S. on that. That IS sexual harassment. There is no requirement to comment on someone's looks in a workplace. It is not someone else's responsibility to have to tell you how to act appropriately in a workplace.

Astonishing how many people appear to be under the impression that the only unsafe subject to talk about in a workplace is work!

I'm calling B.S on that, that is NOT sexual harassment. There is also no requirement to make coffee for your colleagues when you go to get yours but daym.. it happens.

IMO the only people with issues are people who never get complimented themselves.

(this is regarding my comment NOT the op's situation before you or anyone else starts putting 9 plus 10 together and coming up with 21 (again))

agrinnall

xapprenticex wrote: »

IMO the only people with issues are people who never get complimented themselves.

Fortunately your antediluvian opinion and the law do not coincide. Although I pity anyone who has to work with you if this is really what you think.

daytona0

xapprenticex wrote: »

Ups...



I'm calling B.S on that, that is NOT sexual harassment. There is also no requirement to make coffee for your colleagues when you go to get yours but daym.. it happens.

IMO the only people with issues are people who never get complimented themselves.

(this is regarding my comment NOT the op's situation before you or anyone else starts putting 9 plus 10 together and coming up with 21 (again))

Meh, it does carry a certain sexual undertone to it. If you comment on someone having nice legs, as apposed to just looking nice (which women love 1000x more!), then it does imply some sexual interest.

Borderline sexual harassment, but could also be a really lame way to approach a woman (and you can't knock someone for trying! Workplace or not!). It would be harsh to lynch someone who said that and nothing else, but it would also be 100% sexual harassment if it carried on in any way (when not reciprocated).

xapprenticex

agrinnall wrote: »

Fortunately your antediluvian opinion and the law do not coincide. Although I pity anyone who has to work with you if this is really what you think.

And im sure your pity is much appreciated. Regards. :money:

daytona0 wrote: »

Meh, it does carry a certain sexual undertone to it. If you comment on someone having nice legs, as apposed to just looking nice (which women love 1000x more!), then it does imply some sexual interest.

Borderline sexual harassment, but could also be a really lame way to approach a woman (and you can't knock someone for trying! Workplace or not!). It would be harsh to lynch someone who said that and nothing else, but it would also be 100% sexual harassment if it carried on in any way (when not reciprocated).

Ha, well, if i were to make a comment regarding legs it would be someone i already know and I know what they are like. This, I have done, and it always goes down well :money::beer:

otherwise, its more, nice hair, nice dress, nice shoes etc if I dont know them. I wouldn't go up to a person I dont know or hardly know and say "You have great legs" unless it was out of work and i was in cheesy chat-up mode (I'm a legs man btw).

I agree with the last sentence, if a person says "dont say that" or anything of the sort then you should stop immediately, end of.

Thanks for replying like a level headed individual rather than one of those triggered ......... Ill leave it there. :rotfl:

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

daytona0 wrote: »

Meh, it does carry a certain sexual undertone to it. If you comment on someone having nice legs, as apposed to just looking nice (which women love 1000x more!), then it does imply some sexual interest.

Borderline sexual harassment, but could also be a really lame way to approach a woman (and you can't knock someone for trying! Workplace or not!). It would be harsh to lynch someone who said that and nothing else, but it would also be 100% sexual harassment if it carried on in any way (when not reciprocated).

Oh, !!!!!!. The sad thing is you actually believe women like being told they look nice by you when they are at work. It would be nice to see if any women, any women at all, are willing to confirm this.

What sort of workplace is it that you claim this is acceptable in? I'm going to guess it's not anything professional.

sangie595

Undervalued wrote: »

The do have a duty to be fair. Unless either or both admitted the behaviour they would be on dangerous ground dismissing two people from the course based on a single uncorroborated complaint.
.

So, in your world view, bullies should be safe if they travel in packs? Luckily, many employers wouldn't agree with you. There is nothing at all unfair about throwing out two people based on one persons complaint about inappropriate behaviour. It is not uncommon for bullies to act with other people, and that does not mean that an employer cannot take action. Nor does the fact that only one person complains mean that they shouldn't be believed.