Is this Sexual Harassment ?

I am a little distressed this morning.

I am a supervisor at a automobile manufacture. I have about 25 techs working for me. I had to fire,walk a good one out last night.

So last friday one of my guys go to the on site pharmacy . This is where it gets a little grey because I dont know what was said before or after his comment. At some point he said to the female behind counter " When does a women start menopause ? " She files a sexual harassment suit against him. This guy is a simple kinda fell that has missed 6 days of work in 20 years. I do know his marrage has been a little shakey the last year or so . So I could see him asking a question like this to a pharmacist or what he percieved as a medical person. Since this didnt happen in my area I have been kept out of the loop. But was told that is the comment that got him fired. I havent researched it any , But where is the line ? I was told he thought he was asking a medical question.Or something else that has crossed my mind is she is looking for a payout. I have heard of two other sexual harassment suit in the last month. I really hate this. My hands are tied. As I told him so as I walked him to the gate. He tells me he has retained a lawyer . All he wants is his job back . I hope he wins . But as we all know its hard to fight a large corporation.

So the question is where is the line ??

Discuss ...

 

Where ever some over sensitive cunt,a spineless douchebag of a CEO and his scum sucking lawyers decide it should be.

 

My staff nurse has seen me naked when I got injured one day. I sure as hell better be able to ask her a medical question. This is complete bullshit.

I'd say if she can dispense medicine, provide any measure of medical assistance, or is tasked as an emergency responder for on-site mishaps then she cannot claim harrassment over a medical question.

 

Unless there is more to it than that they fired the wrong person. If you are in contact with him you might suggest he and his lawyer also contact the licensing board for pharmacists and go after her license.

 

I don't mean to detract from your question, but yesterday we had a new hire in our department. Young, blonde, cute, nice boobs. Not me but a coworker, when introduced to her said immediately "I'm single and available". He's married. I would not classify that as sexual harrassment. Inappropriate, but not sexual harassment.

As for your case, not sexual harrassment. Unless the guy was ugly. That's the first rule of sexual harassment, don't be ugly. (from SNL)

EDIT: I can't believe the guy got fired over that. Guilty until proven innocent. I hope the guy can retire once his lawyer finishes up this case.

 

I feel sorry for the guy, if he's asking that question you cann bet his wife is already acting bat nuts crazy, you know getting fired for Sexual harrasment is going to go over like a ton of bricks...

This is one situation where I think a lawsuit is perfectly acceptable. He isn't in a position of authority over her so he would have to be pretty vulgar before i would consider it Sexual Harrasment. IMOP

 

Going through something similar right now. One of my guys is close to getting fired because he was not nice to a female coworker. Basically she wants to be one of the boys until things dont go her way then its tits and tears. She claims it is gender bias and he claims it is because she is a lazy entitled bitch. Of course corporate is pissing all over themselves and it has the rest of us walking on eggshells.

No way your guy should have gotten fired over that comment. Even if the pharmacist was a complete bitch and the comment was directed at her she shouldnt have grounds. This bullshit concern over hurt feelings is getting way way out of hand! Venom pretty much nailed it in his normal sensitive politically correct way.....

 

why was your employee fired before any of this was "investigated?"

Suspended with 1/2 pay seems reasonable. The company lawyers are going to want to protect themselves from the female employee suing the company itself, and a failure to act could be perceived as tolerating unacceptable behavior.

I guess what I'm saying is that I understand the need for an immediate reaction of some sort; just not such an extreme reaction. If this guy's as clean as you're making him sound, his work record should reflect that fact. A simple written reprimand (something he can appeal) is still "discipline" without firing him.

Even if it wasn't a "medical" employee, I don't see what's sexual about menopause. I guess it has to do with reproduction in the loosest respect, but I think "when does a boy's voice change" is an equivalent question...

 

Complete bullshit. The sensitive bitch behind the counter should have been escorted to the gate. I would most certainly fight that with an attorney.

That is unless she was being a bitch and that prompted him to ask the question in a sarcastic tone directed at her.

 

Yeah that dude got screwed if what you say is accurate. He should fight and he should win.

 

this alone makes me think this is an honest, hard working guy.

not out for a paycheck but unfortunately has to pay someone to defend himself.

what the fuck is this world coming to?

we need to go back to good old ass-kickings! they solved a lot of issues! no matter how big you were, there is always someone bigger and better to put you in your place.

 

I'm going to play devils advocate here.

My wife is an extremely good looking woman (that's why I married her!) and I can tell ya that if she came home and told me that day after day guys were hitting on her and speaking unprofessional around her, she'd surely be speaking with someone, after a fair warning to knock it off!

Not to make excuses for the ruthless bitches that are out there, but think about it from the other perspective and recognize some of the shit talking that we as men have gotten away with (possibly) in the past. What would you do if it were your wife?

In this case, I'm going to hope that there is much more to this story than what was said to you. Everyone has an off day once in awhile, and that off day can be your worst day sometimes.

 

Would this be a non-union auto manufacturer?

 

I can't form an opinion until you clear up the grey. The statement by itself is a reach, but I suspect there's some preamble and post rhetoric to warrant a termination.

You may not have the whole story.

 

I've never met a woman that was that sensitive. At least one that wouldn't say, "hey that's kind of rude" or at least say, "what do you mean with a statement like that?"

If I offend a woman I want her to say something to me about it... especially in the workplace.

When we are in the field we rarely have women working with us so we tend to act like typical guys but when a woman does come to work with us I don't hesitate to get onto guys for off the cuff comments and I make sure that the females are informed when they come on site that they don't have to tolerate the rough language, etc but make sure the crew knows if they are getting out of line and the would never be any negative reprocussions. Most women are great with that and will cut up with the guys and if anyone approaches the line they stop them.

 

Could it be Cletus thinks simply because she wears a whitecoat behind the counter she's a doctor? Maybe he simply made a mistake asking the question.

 

Management would be just as aware of the potential for a suit from either party.

Of course if simple is actually diagnosed as mental defficiency, then you can have fun with ADA reasonable acommodation issues.

 

We're gonna need proof.

 

Fire this guy!