Where Are Our Workplaces Headed?

Q: Where are our workplaces headed? 1. A man recently got a disability award from mental anguish associated with being told "to sit your @ss down in that chair." 2. A woman got a huge financial award after participating in a competitive company spirit building exercise. The losers where "paddled" with their competitions lawn signs. The award was for sexual harassment despite men and women undergoing the same thing as part of the exercise. Ill-advised but worth millions? 3. A man was fired for describing a fellow worker to a third co-worker as "Being short, blonde hair...really large up top." He was fired for violating the company's sexual harassment policy. Have we become so sensitive that we can not tolerate even the slightest indiscretions? Is this a good thing? What about that person who uses passive aggression? Isn't that even more toxic? Where are our workplaces headed?

A: The pedulum is swinging far to the other side. It usedto be that men could get away with anything they said in a joke, said in a disparaging way or sexual way, how they behaved. Women had no say. No that we have some laws to protect us, it has gone crazy. My uncle got fired from a job years ago because he put his hand on a woman co-worker's shoulder to express his sympathy. There is harassment and then there is poor judgment.