Ignorance no defence for your workplace behaviour

Ignorance is no defence for your behaviour, Melanie Whyte writes.

It seems one of the most common comments about the movement to bring the reality of sexual harassment into the forefront is that so many people are being falsely accused.

I believe there are claims made against people who didn’t mean to harass, but the claims are generally legitimate and based on behaviours in the workplace. Ignorance is no defence if your behaviours give the wrong impression and someone feels harassed. It doesn’t matter if you are male or female, it’s your responsibility to ensure that you are not giving the impression of harassment.

Here are some behaviours to avoid in the workplace.

1. Pet names, or generic terms of endearment, are not a substitute for addressing a co-worker by their given or chosen name. Calling coworkers “honey,” “dear,” or “sweetie” is demeaning and could be seen as flirtation. Even if you address all coworkers as “dear,” it only takes one person to read something more into the term.

2. Touching co-workers on the back, shoulder or arm is not a replacement for the words “excuse me,” and should not be done. Touch is an intimate action that should never be done without explicit permission. Hugs, or kisses on the cheek are not acceptable greetings in the workplace. Touching a coworker is an easy way to have an assumption of personal interest made, and will constitute sexual harassment.

3. Personal teasing and joking around may be taken as a sign of flirtation. Since grade school, boys and girls have been indicating an interest in each other by these methods. Joking and teasing co-workers may be taken as a sign of personal pursuit by the recipient, much like pulling someone’s ponytail was in grade-school. These behaviours are not acceptable in the workplace.

4. Comments about appearance could easily give the wrong impression. It does not matter what you think of your co-worker’s appearance. Any reference to your opinion about appearance is inappropriate and may be seen as flirtation.

5. Invitations to engage in activities outside of the workplace may be seen as a proposition for a private date. Do not look for social engagements in the workplace. It may easily be seen as harassment.

Imagine if you had a boss, who called you “honey,” put his or her hand on your back as they moved past you, teased and joked with you, told you your new haircut looked fantastic, and then invited you out for a coffee after work. Would you think you may be a victim of sexual harassment?

Think about it. Good workplace boundaries make good workplaces.