Have you ever been fired from a job? (page 3)

musky

Dantheman, I am no lawyer, but they will not fire you for what you said happened. They may ask you to take sensitivity training. If asked about this situation again, Please stress that how could I have possibly harassed her when she didn't even remember anything about it the next day. All you were doing was the polite thing. Don't worry about.

NeonMadman

If you do get fired, you should probably talk to a lawyer. As others have pointed out, you couldn't have harassed her since she didn't even know she was being harassed. So what would they be firing you for, apologizing inappropriately? An intelligent HR person in this situation would give you a lecture about being sure to avoid situations that could be construed as sexual harassment, and let it go at that.

There are two definitions of sexual harassment. The first is Quid Pro Quo, in which raises, promotions or other job factors (including continued employment) are made contingent upon the receipt of sexual favors. Clearly, you're nowhere near that.

The other is Hostile Environment, in which your conduct has the purpose or effect of "unreasonably interfering with an individual's performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment". (Quoted from Management, 2nd ed. by Gary Dessler, p. 278) It's going to be quite a stretch for them to argue that your actions have done that, if she has clearly said that she didn't know what you were apologizing for.

I'd suggest you do a bit of research on sexual harassment on the web tonight and go in prepared to argue your case.

hillbilly

Dan-- I am not a lawyer either but have been a union steward and worked in managment .

Does your company have a progressive dicipline system of some sort? Have you been a solid employee in the past?
Did you press this woman in any overt way, sexually speaking? Does she report to you or can you affect her promotions, wages?---

If you can say NO to all these things you will get a warning shot across the bow. The Biggest factor is if SHE presses a complaint against you. But now that your HR guy has it in hand-well, he has to do something about it. If your company has the reasources some diversity training will be in your future.

Bottom Line-- In my opinion you're not sunk yet. Prepare for a slap on the wrist and learn from your experiences.

(but I gotta ask-did ya get a picture?)

julien

Can you please post a picture of said boobs?

Seriously though I have been fired twice, for doing stupid stuff. (This was in my late teens). It never had any effect on subsequent jobs.

El Kabong

D'man:

Just make sure that you HAVE EVERYTHING DOCUMENTED. Especially the part where she didn't know what you were apoligizing for. You should be alright but, just in case, CYA, CYA, CYA.

Be sincere, but don't start that "I'm an Idiot" stuff in front of HR. Best wishes and good luck.

Scully

Yes, and the boss was a JW. He was offended when he heard (through his wife who was a friend of my mother's) that I was looking for another job after he told me that I wouldn't be getting any increases in my pay. This was after the JW pioneer sister got a raise that made her wage double of what I was getting, for the same work and length of time worked for the company.

In retrospect, he did me a favor.

So dantheman....... tell us what happens, ok??

Love, Scully

Edited by - Scully on 12 November 2002 21:38:22

DanTheMan

Thank you all for your encouraging comments.

The humiliation of it all is the worst thing.

It's like, I know I'm a freakin' lust puppy, but when it goes to the point of getting me in trouble, that's embarrassing as hell.

Not to mention how terrible I feel for my creeped-out coworker who is probably going to be conscious and embarrassed of her boobs every time I see her. Nice going, Dan.

Thanks Neon, your definitions of sexual harrassment have made me breathe a little easier. Certainly quid pro quo is out of the question, and it would be a stretch to say that what I did created a hostile environment. I wouldn't be surprised if they moved me to a different cube so that I don't work in such close proximity with her. If that is the worst that comes from this, then I'll be one happy man. I'll let you all know what happens tomorrow.

Again, thanks.

BTW, the incident happened as I described it, I didn't leave out any pertinent details to make me look innocent, as I'm not.

Scarlet

I got fired from a job because the owner (who was old enough to be my father) was dating this young thing that worked with us and she had me fired. She said I was not a fit for the job but the other girl there told me later it was because she felt threatend by my looks. I guess the insecurity of some people.

larc

Dantheman, you got your slap on the wrist when the HR person talked to you. I think that will be the end of it. Since what is done is done, I would go to work every day as if nothing had happened. Don't dwell on it, because that could hurt your work productivity. When you are talking to women at work, maintain eye contact - do not talk to their chest. I know that is hard to do with some women. In the future, I would recommend that you do not drink at company get togethers. I like to drink myself, but I never drink at such events. I rarely even go to social events sponsored from work. Even when not drinking sometimes people say things at parties, e.g., gossip or criticizing the boss, that can only come back to bite them.

LB

The ball is in the voluptuous coworker's court right now.

careful, she may be stalking you now....

I worked in contruction for 32 years. I've been canned more times than I can remember. I've never been canned for apologizing to a coworker for staring at their boobs though because said coworker probably would have kicked my ass.

You'll be fine regardless. Sure some businesses may make a point out of such things, but it actually seemed fairly harmless to me. I would think she may think you need to watch what you drink from now on. That's about it.

Have you ever been fired from a job?

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