Love, Money, Sex, and Power – The Workplace Has it All!
Are the steamiest relationships on the Big Screen? Hollywood certainly has no monopoly on torrid romance, hot sex, or obsessive infatuation. In fact, the most intense intrigue is probably where you spend much, if not most, of your time – at your workplace.
THE SETTING
The office is a giant cauldron with all of the ingredients for sordid, or innocent entanglements. The combination of money, status differentials, different sexes (and orientations), and power hungry individuals thrown together for prolonged periods of time on a regular basis, is bound to result in interesting outcomes. What better place to meet, learn about others, work together, socialize, flirt, develop friendships or relationships, and stimulate the senses? Experiences can include everything from “mild interest,” to friendship “hugs,” to stalking,”making out” in the parking lot, “quickies” in the elevator, “hands under the conference table,” or “having your baby.”
IT EVEN HAPPENS IN THE “WHITE HOUSE”
Remember the Clinton affair? President Clinton quickly said “I didnt have sexual relations with that woman…” when confronted with a scandal about an affair with a White House intern; the young, voluptuous Monica Lewinsky. Mr Clintons vocabulary was tried as he revealed his definition of “sex.” The exceedingly amiable, erudite and adroit Presidents understanding of sex apparently did not include the oral variety. Fortunately for him, there was no prosecution, impeachment, or removal from office, only embarrassment, and humiliation.
THERE ARE BOUNDARIES – BOTH LEGAL AND OF PROPIETY
Some people draw personal boundaries, not unlike the military code of conduct, and will not “fraternize.” Others have no such prohibition. Many want to avoid personal and romantic entanglements, and follow the old school advice: “Dont shit where you eat!”
The legal system also has something to say about this. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (In Fiscal Year 2008, the government received almost 14,000 charges of sexual harassment.) Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees as well as state and local governments. The United States EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) recognizes that some unscrupulous bosses will take advantage of the “power differential” and attempt to coerce underlings into unethical compromise. The technical term is “quid pro quo;” essentially “this for that!” As an example, the boss my explicitly say, or imply, something like: “You sleep with me, and Ill give you a promotion.” “Quid Pro Quo” is one type of discrimination and “sexual harassment” which is prohibited under the law.
The other form of sexual harassment is a “hostile work environment” which can involve workplace behavior that is “sexually charged.” Everything from sexual innuendo like “Ill bet she can really please a man,” to off color jokes or comments, sexy pictures on the wall, and the like.
For more comprehensive information concerning legal requirements visit� www.eeoc.com.
Most of the questionable, or even illegal behavior never comes to light. Sometimes the boss will even marry the secretary, and raise eyebrows about what may have been going on. And, frequently office romances do not have any legal or ethical consequences – they just happen.
WATCH YOURSELF
–Be fully aware of your employers policies in this area.
–Prevention is the best approach.
–Let your co-workers and managers know when you find their behavior offensive.
–Tell people to STOP objectionable or unwelcome behavior.
–Remember that retaliation for reporting unwelcome behavior is prohibited.
–Dont participate in questionable practices (including touching, joking, “locker room talk,” etc.)
–Be aware there can be seducers in the copy room or the Boardroom or the bathroom, even the cubicle or office next to you.
–Be cautious, considerate, and respectful when it comes to workplace behaviors, or activities.
–Be on your best behavior when it comes to interaction with co-workers, customers, managers, suppliers, even the UPS deliveryman.
–Just exercise good judgment in this area, to protect yourself, your job, and your reputation.
Copyright �, 2009, Dr. Ben A. Carlsen, MBA. All Rights Reserved Worldwide for all Media. You may reprint this article in your ezine, newsletter, newspaper, magazine, website, etc. as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, leave my name and bio box intact, and you follow all of the EzineArticles Terms of Service for Publishers.
Ben A. Carlsen, Ed.D, MBA, is an experienced CEO and manager. Dr. Carlsen has over 30 years experience in management, consulting, and teaching. Currently the Head of the Business Department at Everest Institute, Hialeah, FL., he was Chairman of the Los Angeles County Productivity Managers Network and President of the Association for Systems Management (So. Calif. Chapter). Additional information can be obtained at http://drben.info
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