I suppose I count myself lucky to have lived through what was very probably the tail end of an era when, with a little bit of care and discretion, you get away with giving a female colleague at university or in the workplace an occasional smack on the behind without expecting a team from HR at you door a few minutes later.
I've spoken to female colleagues quite recently who would describe themselves as feminists and certainly wouldn't put up with such behaviour now, who recalled when they were regularly treated like that work and not only didn't really mind at the time but in a way quite enjoyed it as part of the banter of working life, I appreciate that many readers will probably be outraged but I'm sure many others will join me in mourning the passing of an era.
2 comments:
I can see why it's an issue with some but the key is consensual- if both of you are okay with it and it is fairly discrete then maybe it's something that need not require such a heavy handed approach. sometimes I think it's easier to make HR rules that go further than necessary.
I have to agree with Joanne. Doing that will a female colleague you know won't mind or will even rather like the attention is one thing but I do know a great deal of that behaviour was carried out and was deeply resented. However, as with so many things today there is an almost hysterical reaction on the part of authorities that really is out of all proportion. A quiet word from the boss and a simple, "Don't do it," is far better than the heavy handed approach we so often get.
Old Tom
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