Bob Whiteside wrote:
> "J"  wrote in message
> news:1111890339.396674.68000{at}g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > Today I am at work and overhear a conversation that goes something
like
> > this.
> >
> > Girl 1: Says something about babys daddy getting a job so he could
> > start paying support. (Apparently she is not going through CSE...)
> >
> > Girl 2: My first babies daddy is going to have to starting paying.
My
> > daughter is four and he pays his ex-wife $800 a month cause he has
a
> > good job and so I should get $800, Cha-ching. (pumping gesture with
> > arm)
> >
> > Another girl looks at me with a disgusted look on her face, I roll
my
> > eyes at this friendly female, she laughs.
> >
> > I had to say something...
> >
> > Me: Well at least your little girl will have a father.
> >
> > Girl 2: Oh, I do not let him see her cause he is a jerk.
> >
> > Me: (Silent in astonishment, glance to friendly girl, who is also
> > amazed at the white trash Girl 2.)
> >
> > Girl 2 (to Girl 1): I only get 200 for my firstborne.
> >
> > I quickly do the figures in my head, this is a low paying job (I am
a
> > student) and she could only bring home 1000 a week IF she is
working 40
> > hours (many do not). She is doubling her income in CS.
> >
> > I want to say something, but figure that I want to keep my job, and
I
> > am sure telling her what a selfish wench she is will not go too
well
> > with my boss, so I shut up and go back to work.
>
> Go to your direct supervisor or human resources manager armed with
> information about hostile work environment law.  The feminists like
to
> pretend only men create hostile work conditions, but the
conversations you
> have described fit the legal definition of speech restricted in the
> workplace.  Even if you only overheard a conversation between other
people,
> the fact your heard it can cause a hostile work environment.
>
> A good analogy to use is to describe what you heard as no different
than
> words a man might say in the work environment that trigger a negative
> reaction in a divorced woman because they remind her of her
ex-husband.  Men
> are counseled on how their workplace comments need to be tempered to
be
> neutral .  It is really satisfying to turn the tables and force the
HR
> system to apply the laws against women too.  Under the law your
perception
> of what you heard is more important than what was actually said.
>
> Remind the person you report the incidents to that they are required
by law
> to protect your confidentiality, not disclose your identity, and
commence a
> full blown investigation into your allegations.  Also point out the
fact you
> discussed your feelings of being uncomfortable with conversations
being
> heard in the workplace with a co-worker who can confirm the
conversations
> and your reaction to them.
>
> Social commentary is not considered free speech in the workplace.  It
is
> punishable when it is done in the workplace and has a negative impact
on a
> co-worker.

I guess I could do that. Hostile work environment law was exactly the
reason I said nothing... funny huh?



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