How to behave in work situations

Re: “Denunciations, dismissals and the excesses of revolutions” (Opinion, Jan. 4).

I have great respect for Julius Grey’s dedication to social justice, and agree with his key point concerning the need for proportionality in meting out sanctions for degrees of “misbehaviour” on the continuum of sexual harassment.

Nonetheless, I take exception to some of his assumptions about “normal human behaviour” between the sexes.

The term “normal” can refer to statistically common or conventional behaviour, whether or not desirable; or it can connote what is deemed appropriate in a given time and place.

“Banter and flirting” implies mutuality, and should not be conflated with unwanted “lewd looks,” “sexually charged conversations,” touching or groping — let alone more serious physical aggressions.

The key concept: behaviour that is unwanted and has no legitimate place in work situations.

The issue is not, as Grey would have it, trying to create “a ‘sexless’ work or study place”; rather, it is to eliminate disrespect and power plays targeting women.

A range of sanctions exists in the workplace for misbehaviours that fall short of illegality but are deemed inappropriate.

Sexual harassment is — and must be — among them now, even if this was not the case in the past (think of the TV series Mad Men for a cultural reference).

I do not believe this call for justice in and of itself equates with a “reign of terror.” Cerise Morris, N.D.G.