Made a joke with a colleague at work, now being accused of s- harassment at work
Context
At work, there’s this lady in the office, let’s call her Mary.
Mary and I have always been friendly towards each other, plenty of banter, and we’re similar in that she doesn’t get offended by anything, neither do I.
We’ve made some really goofy and silly jokes before.
Anyway, yesterday I needed to go into the office to drop off some paper work. Mary gets up, and she’s wearing a very low cut top. So I tell her she needs to put those “weapons of mass distraction” away or people will be walking funny because of their ‘cannons’ in position.
She laughs and says I can have a better look later, which kinda made me smile and blush. I should note, Mary is happily married to her husband. This is just office banter.
Unbeknownst to either of us, another girl was walking into the office, heard our conversation and reported it as s- harassment in the workplace.
I got called into the office earlier today to give a statement about it. Told them that it was a joke between Mary and myself and no harm was intended from either party.
Now let’s see what happens.
Here are what netizens think
- Not sure where you’re at, but where I am the laws protect employees that witness the conversation/actions in question.
Intent doesn’t negate the impact of having made your coworker uncomfortable. Even if your manager doesn’t take is seriously, your coworker has options. - In this day and age, it’s best not to comment about anything especially the bodies of your co-worker
- It’s really not just about you and Mary if other people are hearing it. This woman who reported you heard you call another woman’s chest “weapons of mass destruction” and now has to think of whether you’ve come up with opinions on the chests of the other women in the office that you just keep to yourself.