subject: Navigating Workplace Minefields [print this page] Having a job and working in a friendly workplace are two separate things. While we would all like to think that we could work in environments that fostered our greater well-being and supported us in the challenges we face every day, that is almost never the case. Hostility in the workplace can come from many different directions. You could have a co-worker that was continually making it difficult to perform the tasks set before you. Your boss could make unreasonable demands on your time and energy. Clients could desire things beyond the legal requirements of your job, which could lead to pressure from your superiors to give it them.
What do you do when this occurs? In the past employment discrimination was considered to be mainly male upon female, and from the boss down. Unfortunately this is still the case, but stories are increasing about male on male harassment and employees threatening superiors with harassment suits when nothing has been done.
It is the new form of corporate blackmail. If an employee can be shown to loosely be seen to 'sexually harassing' someone and be terminated for it, a company will terminate the employee and the former employee has no recourse for defense of their character. Basically, any one can be taken from employment based on false allegations and lose a job that they might have worked for for decades just because someone became angry with them. Part of the issue is that conversations that are commonplace in any workplace can be construed as sexual harassment.
Speaking of things as common as female menstrual cycles, relationships and families can be contrived to be harassment if it is taken out of context. How do you know if you are being insensitive to the feelings of your co-workers? There isn't always an easy answer. It can be difficult to understand the sensitivity of your workplace if you are in a position of authority and trying to be friendly with your employees.
If you are mean to them, they can take it one way, and if you are friendly, it can be just as bad. Employment law can provide some answers if you find yourself in a position that requires legal advice. Wrongful termination suits can be difficult to prosecute, especially when it is on a trumped up allegation of sexual harassment. Seeking legal guidance may prove invaluable if your employer is seeking these kinds of charges against you.
