Today was mandatory sexual harassment awareness training day across our library network. Half the staff went a week ago, and the rest of us went today. The annoying part is that those of us who already strive to observe proper boundaries and not be discriminatory have to sit through a boring presentation that won't affect the scumbags anyway. The only redeeming feature is the reminder that if there is a case of harassment, we have a policy in place and procedure to follow in order to deal with it.
I think a bigger concern we face in our district is organizational chaos that abuses people by keeping them in the dark about organizational changes, and them choosing the poorest possible way to spring these changes on branch managers. Miscommunication is also rampant, and the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing when youth services, branch managers, and administration don't keep one another in the loop.
We don't have crass jokes, inappropriate physical contact, quid-pro-quo offers, or the like at my library, although we do have the occasional problem patron like the Lecherous Foreigner, and I know librarians at other branches who have mentioned other forms of abuse they have encountered from their respective bosses.
It seems to me (admittedly as an oblivious straight white male) that the focus on sexual harassment comes at the expense of other matters that more urgently need to be addressed. What are your workplace experiences, though? Is my specific library environment an exception? Have you experienced sexual harassment, gender discrimination, or other forms of abuse on the job? I would like to see your comments below.
Well, i was forced to have a 2 week unpaid vacation because i talked to HR about how to work with another employee that was never holding up their responsibilities/deadlines.
So, never talk to HR, they are not their to help you.
(although, that is what they advertise)
But, as a straight white male, sexual harassment can be done to you with little recourse. Even blatant sexism is just par for the course.
And what i really hate is that sexual harassment is most often used as a political/ladder climbing tactic, and has nothing to do with making a safe work environment.
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@generikat has shared with us some of her more interesting experiences. I agree sometimes a memo or regular reminders and maybe some posters can be more effective than a boring sit in presentation. But you know, some people really have no clue and have a large sense of entitlement where this kind of thing is concerned. These presentations do help. We all could use a little educating now and again. Me thinks.
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We have had some problem patrons, but the focus today was primarily on employee-employee or management/employee harassment. Unless I want to complain that it's "gender stereotyping" when I am asked to help lift heavy objects (ha!) it isn't an issue at our branch.
Some people do have a disturbing lack of boundaries. No question there. And it is probably an important reminder to SOMEONE that we have a chain of responsibility when it is reported. But did that require an early-morning all-staff meeting? I don't think so.
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I heartily agree ... early morning staff meeting is crue and unusual punishment. Maybe just before lunch and make sure there is cake and coffee.
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I once got scolded by my boss for sexually harassing a girl I worked with-- I even got written up for it. She even said I didn't harass her, and she was embarrassed that the boss made a big deal out of it. It didn't really bother me. I thought it was funny.
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My co-worker reported a similar story. Her husband had mentioned concern that being assigned a female partner on his job could result in situations that could be perceived as untoward. He is a strict Mormon who prefers to avoid any potential accusations of impropriety, and he was also concerned abut the potential for workplace gossip or public perception. Rightly or wrongly doesn't really matter, that was his concern. And he got written up for gender discrimination against the female co-worker.
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Oh to go back to the days of common sense, before all the PC brigades showed up.
Have you noticed that sexual harassment mainly happens to women? they can do what they like to males and usually get away with it.
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I wonder if this is a valid instance of the "toxic masculinity" theory. Men who complain of harassment are perceived as cowards, weaklings, or losers who can't appreciate female advances. Maybe even shudder GAY!
See the different public reaction of a male teacher abusing a female student (universally "BURN HIM AT THE STAKE!") and a female teacher abusing a male student (Often "Niiiiiice . . . She's hot! Score, bro!")
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https://talktotransformer.com/
In honor of AI Friday I am answering in AI
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If you can make heads from tails lol..
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