[PrintOwners] RE: Inappropriate conduct retaliation

[BeckyWh1 at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/15/08 6:41:51 AM, robin at protypeonline.com writes:


> - but even you nice guys are 
> telling Kathy, sorry it happened, yes these guys were out of line BUT, 
> "that's life". Life has consequences. I think Kathy can and should 
> address this without losing these customers business. And I feel this 
> way after a fairly good and calm day.....What would some of the women 
> on this list do if you were Kathy?
> 

Robin
My take on it is, sure, Kathy was upset, and rightly so. But if you think 
about it, on the 2nd incident (let's forget about the foot for a minute - ick!) , 
the only thing that happened is the man made an inappropriate ignorant 
attempt at a "come on." He didn't touch her, that I remember reading, nor force 
himself on her. And it didn't sound like he used rude explicit sexual language. He 
simply expressed that he was attracted to her and suggested they start an 
affair. Tacky, yes. Immoral, yep. But illegal or threatening, nope.

I'm sure that there are many of us who have had someone at one time or 
another surprise us with a tacky come on like that. On a professional sales call...? 
Unlikely. So of course that's what makes this all the more outrageous.

This guy's an ass, with no class -- hell, I'm pissed off that he made her pay 
the check!! Talk about no class. You set up a situation like that and get 
shot down, pick up the friggin check....but what am I saying?! No Class!
Anyway, not the point -- the point is,   I'm not sure what you would want her 
to do, what more to address this. The guy took no for an answer, and that's 
that. You want to go after him for making the offer in the first place?

I think Kathy did what she felt was right -- hard for me to say since I'm not 
married so the situation is slightly different. My answer would still be hell 
no, but not as much outrage. And I think I might have figured out a way to 
leave instead of driving back with the slime. And I think I would have expressed 
my anger more at the time, for setting up the situation in the way he did, 
and made him pick up the check. (K's much nicer than I am, stilleto heel aside.)

As long as she made it clear to the guy there is no hope of it, ever, and 
then does what she can to remove herself from the account, similar to sock guy, I 
would leave it at that. Sock guy got his comeuppance with a 1) spiked heel, 
2) a dressing down and 3) someone at his office was told to keep him in line. 
He touched, so that's different. If the no class guy tries again -- which is 
doubtful since he wont' be given opportunity -- then I'd go to the company.

What good would come of making a stink about it with the guy's company now? 
If you want to take the high high road and say that someone has to take a stand 
and make a difference, I guess you can argue that.....but I don't see it 
being Kathy's fight. She took a stand where she is concerned and made her view 
known.

The comments so far have been in answer to Kathy's query -- is this what I 
can expect being a woman in sales?

I think no, these two incidents are aberrations. And she's figured out ways 
to minimize it happening in future, with other "aberrations" so I think she's 
done what makes sense for her.

You asked for women thoughts, so there are mine, FWIW.

Bec


Becky Whatley
Quality Printing
Riverside, CA


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