Work innappropriate?

Discussion in 'Politics and other "Messy" Stuff' started by goaljnky, Sep 25, 2009.

  1. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

    Apr 7, 2009
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    So a few years ago I was given a T-Shirt with words "I can be your private dancer" printed on it. I like wearing it cause it is very comfortable and every now and then would wear it to work on casual Fridays.

    At some point a message was passed on to me from HR that this was inappropriate attire. Not the t-****, but the message on it. What am I missing? I did not and still do not think there is anything offensive about it. Is my ESL class failing me?
     
  2. Dr Obnxs

    Dr Obnxs New Member

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    Now you know why

    certain people end up in HR (not all, but some). I'd guess they're the ones with the issue.

    But they make the rules... What sucks is that there's no one who appears to be able to stand up and say "I made this call and here's why". Pretty freakin' slimey...

    Matt
     
  3. nabeshin

    nabeshin New Member

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    Someone at your work probably complained to them about it. I think the shirt sounds funny. But, I can see how it could be misconstrued as offering a lap dance.
     
  4. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    Oh, I know some one complained. I was told as much. And I also think it is funny. Specially when worn by a middle-aged married guy with a shaved head and a graying goatee sporting an oversized ego. I just hope it wasn't the same holly roller that asked me today why she no longer gets her channel 40 UHF religious channel. :lol:
     
  5. Dr Obnxs

    Dr Obnxs New Member

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    I asked my wife what she thought..

    she thought it was both funny and inappropriate for work. Good thing she doesn't work where you do!

    Matt
     
  6. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Some people need to get a life.

    About a decade ago, I printed out an column expressing some conservative viewpoint (I don't even remember what it was now, but it wasn't very controversial, just conservative) and stuck it on my door at the office. At the time I was a mid-level manager at my company, but had scads of seniority (out of about 250 people, had been there longer than all but 5 others). I was responsible for creating much of the company and it's policies. I also had a history of posting interesting and informative stuff on my door with no issues.

    Well, after this thing had been on my door for about a week, the HR rep came to call. Apparently one of my young and left-leaning subordinates (I know who) had complained that this column made them "uncomfortable' (the truth hurts when you're young and idealistic - I know from personal experience).

    The HR rep explained that we're trying to have a workplace that makes everyone comfortable and productive, and that this thing on my door made someone uncomfortable. But, just like the restaurant manager in Office Space wouldn't actually TELL the waitress to wear more "flair", the HR rep would not TELL me to take it down.

    So I asked - "Do we have a policy against things like that on doors?" (I already knew the answer).

    "No", replied the HR rep.

    "Well, OK then. It's staying. But thanks for bringing this to my attention." - said with a smile, of course.

    Geesh. That's 5 minutes of my life I will NEVER get back. But it was worth it for the comic value. I smiled the whole rest of that month. And I was EXTRA nice to the young person who I knew to be the complainer - which further fed her cognitive dissonance over the fact that conservatives were supposed to be old and evil, not young and cool and pleasant to work for.
     
  7. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

    Jun 12, 2009
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    Don't be boring. That's way worse than inappropriate.
     
  8. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    OK, ask your wife to explain it to me cause I really don't get it. It's not like it's said "Mustache rides. No fat chicks!"
     
  9. Dr Obnxs

    Dr Obnxs New Member

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    It's the combo of

    the notion of both a "private dancer" being a sex worker or something like that, and the icing on the cake is that it's you! So not only is it pornographic in it's implication, but it's just gross! ;)

    Matt
     
  10. Deviant

    Deviant Banned

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    I have that shirt if you'd like, I also have one that say "Potential Serial Killer" and one from a butcher shop that says "You can't beat our meat." Me, casual fridays and PC HR people will be a volatile mixture.
     
  11. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    Ye, had the common sense not to ever wear my lumber yard T-shirt that says "Wood is Good!"
     
  12. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Well if it has a wood grain pattern on the shirt....
     
  13. Tsiggy

    Tsiggy New Member

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    I have a subtle one that says "Tool Lady"...I buy swiss made torx tools from her and her web site...she warned me not to type it with thetoollady.com. Soooo good?, bad?... I give up!
     
  14. KittyMini

    KittyMini Club Coordinator

    Jun 24, 2009
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    I would have gotten a kick out of the shirt......

    The only reason it would have been inappropriate at my job, is because you can't wear t-shirts..... gotta have a collared shirt.

    People get away with pretty much everything at my company..... we do not have an HR department. Sometimes I think HR is an unnecessary evil.
    I am one of only 5 women at a company of over 100... I have a pretty thick skin :yesnod:

    if I ran and tattled every time someone said something inappropriate at work, I'd either never leave the President's office, or our work staff would be reduced to about 15% :lol:
     
  15. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    A conversation overheard today between 2 women:

    W1: "You know when you fly first class they serve warm salty nuts."
    W2: "How are they?"
    W1: "Umumm, they are soooo good!"
    me: "What do you get in first class?"
    W1: "Warm salty nuts. Why?"
    me: "I just wanted to make sure I heard what I thought I heard you say."

    at this point I had to extract myself from the conversation for fear of additional HR complaints. I don't think these two ever saw the South Park episode:

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcNWQ_VWMDk&feature=related"]YouTube - (HQ) Chef - Chocolate Salty Balls[/ame]
     
  16. KittyMini

    KittyMini Club Coordinator

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    Ha! Ha! Ha!
    A conversation like that would have attracted several men and a couple video cameras. :lol:

     
  17. TGS91

    TGS91 New Member

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    haven't worn it yet............

    Picture of man and wife working in the garden and the wife is wearing a 50's A Line dress holding onto a garden instrument. Caption from man leaning over fence....

    "Is that your hoe?"
    Wife responds
    "I'm his wife dickweed"

    Classic!

    HR did send out a blurb for casual fridays regarding t-shirts that they should not contain 'offensive language'. Gonna go on a limb and guess 10 out of 10 HR managers would give me a big 'nyet' to this one.. Then theres the "Coffee Slut" shirt.......
     
  18. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #18 Nathan, Sep 29, 2009
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2009
    /me passes around the eye bleach...

    There are definite advantages to being a self employed consultant that only deals with clients via email and phone. I am my own HR dept and I can go to work nekkid if I want.

    Now you know why the eye bleach was passed around first.
     
  19. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    You know, blindness isn't so bad now that I've tried it.

    Thanks Nathan.
     
  20. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    One strike issued to the site owner for unnecessary cruelty to the membership.
     

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