I am a manager for 5-6 years. Recently a peer manager was let go due to some sexual harassment claim by his subordinate. I was able to get some info through a number of female co-workers and his ex-staff that he is "creepy" but they are not able to tell me how. Basically just the way he "looks" at people. I never really noticed that from my limited interaction with him. I have a number of female subordinates myself. I even hired most of them myself and we all have good professional working relationships. I meet all my staff one on one regularly but after the peer manager's incident, I am starting worry about the meetings. How would I know if they end up calling me "creepy" and my career goes down the drain? But if I don't meet with them, I am afraid I can't help their development and careers. Anyone have the same issue?
100% he was fired for doing or saying something beyond being a nondescript creep Pushed send by accident. Meant to also write... Speak to your directs like they’re professionals and just be a professional yourself. And this goes for any gender employee: Don’t mention looks or make any kind of sexual jokes.
You are probably right. I shouldn't say he was let go. I just know that there's the allegation and then we are launching an official investigation. He just kind of applied to a demotion at another department and left.
The fact that you’re trying to be thoughtful about how you treat your directs likely means you’ll be okay OP! And when you (and everyone else in the world) makes a well-intentioned mistake, acknowledge, apologize, learn and all will be right again.
You raise good points. There’s no solution. Just be decent and hope you don’t have a psycho in your team.
You will never know that they won’t.
Almost certainly there was a credible claim of harassment, but no one wants to give details.
That guy may not be creepy. He might be struggling from the same behavior that is called - conscious while talking to a female. Search on google - “problem making eye contact with females”. I know a number of guys with this problem. Some are struggling with over 20 years. And in such super anxiety state their eyes wander all over females body.
In today's age, you need to go full pence, but even then, it's not a guarantee. Once you see it happen, you know how fragile your position is. The best way to be safe is probably to be attractive. The same actions are considered creepy if you're not attractive and flattering if you are.
Metoo movement. How many guys got screwed by a lying woman? Be on your guard, no joking, no touching no anything. Stay professional.
Curious. Do you think joking is not professional?
It is. The problem lies with the world we are living in. There are two problems with joking with a woman at work (not a man, well not to the same extent): First one you get closer to her = she gets power over you. Same with guys but there is no metoo movement regarding guys and if a guy reports another one you won't lose your job the next hour even if it's crap. You will start sharing your life and the more you share the weaker your position is. Remember she can false claim anything and still be protected by HR and the whole white knights army. Second one you can do a joke she won't like (or any other subjects that resolve around this) and then you are finished. If any guy jokingly says "woman like money" he might be in a really tough situation if this gets reported. A woman can say "all men are as*hole" and no one will take action on the contrary she would get validation from the colleagues lol. We are living in a world where the man is guilty until proven innocent. Beware.
Suggestion: Schedule your 1-1s in the cafeteria over lunch. You aren't the only person with these concerns.
I did that and my then manager was always looking at other women in the cafeteria instead of listening to me (also a female) , he was just an exception. In my case, he wanted it outside a conference room 🙄
Would having lunch 1 on 1 with a staff member be really better than in a conference room? I have more staff than lunch days...I will literally have to eat 3 lunches a day to meet with everyone.
Look at their eyes not other body parts; don't stare; don't joke around; keep the conversation to work related topics only; do not talk about anything personal or private; no touching of any kind
Thanks for the common sense tips. Of course no touching. Me and my staff do chat about personal items like how kids are doing and trading travel/weekend stories. I guess I am just mostly worry because I didn't see anything weird about what the other manager was doing. Then again I only see him once a month so probably not a good way to judge.
Perhaps he made some rude or disrespectful comments. Hence the reason to keep conversations to a professional level and not personal