More women report derogatory comments at work
November 18, 2008 by Sam NarisiPosted in: Harassment, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, Training
Sounds like a lot of managers and employees could use a refresher course on appropriate workplace language.
It’s becoming more common for women to hear sexually inappropriate comments at work, according to a recent survey by the Novations Group.
Such comments were heard by 38% of the women polled, compared to 22% who reported the same in a similar survey last year.
Meanwhile, almost half (45%) of men have heard derogatory sexual talk. That’s the same as last year.
Some more bad news in the report:
- 35% of employees have heard a co-worker use a racial slur
- 27% have seen someone get taunted because of age
- 23% heard disparaging remarks about a co-worker’s sexual orientation, and
- 10% have seen someone ridiculed because of a disability.
Tags: inappropriate comments, Novations Group, sexual harassment
November 19th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Everyday we have a staffer who makes comments and acts out about my work performance. We have another that when he is bored tries to incite stuff between other employees and says stuff that is not funny but unkind.
My supervisor, a female staffer and another male staffer commented on my bathroom visit and then laughed until their faces were red as I left the restroom. I hear them talking specifically about my restroom visits. What type of people wait for someone to go to the restroom so that they can make comments?
Our employee handbook has specifics about profane language but everyone in the office uses it except me. The f-word, the b-word and everything else.
A former supervisor commented to me in the closed door session that if she said something this she would always be the one reprimanded be she uses profanity the most.
Another employee said to me unprovoked that everyone does not go to church like I do everyday.
I was not in their conversation not did I acknowledge what or whether they having a conversation.
At no time do I partake or agree or disagree. Hearing the unkind comments about others is not something I am comfortable with but what can you do the supervisors do it too.
November 19th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Am I missing something here? The article is titled “More Women report derogatory comments at work” however your facts state that only 38% reported such, compared to 45% of men. Now granted, your facts indicate that last year women only 22% of women polled reported such.
It gives the appearance of being either misleading or biased. The fact that nearly half the men polled last year and this year have had to listen to derogatory sexual talk on the job seems to have little importance in your article. Even though last year 23% more men thaan women reported being exposed to this talk and this year there has been no improvement.
You do point out that a significant larger percentage of men than women have reported hearing sexual derogatory language yet you chose to title your article about the upward trend among women polled.
Are men supposed to accept sexually derogatory talk in the workplace and it only becomes a problem when a woman reports being exposed to it?
November 19th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
If you dont like the comments made at your organization you should do 1 of 3 things. Very simple, you ready….
1. Confront the behavior
2. Call HR
3. Go work somewhere else
No need to complain about it.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Narisi continues to reach for articles to publish. I’ll bet he’s one of the 45% who complain about sexual talk.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
To Realist:
I believe what Darice was looking for was good sound advise not an addition to another put down, it sounds like she has gone through enough of that already. I believe this is a place where several of us should be able to come and get “good” advise not a response such as “No need to complain about it”. Sometimes people need to vent if nothing else and I don’t see where insults are helpful.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Darice: I feel for you. Since this language is prohibited in your handbook and your supervisor uses it, then go to HR. If you are already in HR, go to the top. Have the HR VP/Manager explain to you the policy, how it is enforced and who enforces it. Then request that they start enforcing it and give them examples of this behavior in your department. As for the taunting, they do it because it gets a rieaction out of you. Ignore them. If you can’t ignore it because it is too severe, get a tape recorder and use it. Once you have their inappropriate comments on tape, play them for management. Be very sincere in asking for this to stop. Don’t get angry. Stay calm and ask for resolution. You will come across as the mature one and they will look like fools, which they are. Too bad adults don’t always act like they are adults!