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Franke James is Editor/Founder of Office-Politics.com and Inventor of the Office-Politics® Game. Peter R. Garber has worked as an HR professional for over 25 years and is the author of many business books including: Winning the Rat Race at Work and 100 Ways to Get on the Wrong Side of your Boss. Dina Beach Lynch, is an Ombudsman, Author and former attorney. An award-winning mediator, Dina served as the Corporate Ombudsman for the 7th largest bank in the US helping over 48,000 employees to resolve workplace issues. Dr. Rick Brandon is CEO of Brandon Partners. He has consulted and trained tens of thousands at corporations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries. Dr. Marty Seldman is one of America's most experienced executive coaches. His 35-year career includes expertise in executive coaching, group dynamics, cross-cultural studies, clinical psychology, and training. Arnie Herz, is a lawyer, mediator, speaker, author and consultant nationally recognized for his practical and inspired approach to conflict resolution and client counseling. Dr. John Burton LL.B. M.B.A. M.Div. Ph.D. is an ethicist, mediator, lawyer and theologian. John is currently located in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, working with Canada's aboriginal communities. |
A co-worker had an inappropriate item from her bachelorette party in the office and was passing it around, teasing about it... July 2005 Dear Office-Politics, Recently, a co-worker had an inappropriate item from her bachelorette party in the office, and was passing it around, teasing about it. It was amongst friends whom we all knew were tolerant of the situation. She asked one employee to hold his hands out and close their eyes (not knowing what the object was, but still a part of the "understanding group"). They did so, and when it was placed in their hands, I shot a picture on my digital cam. Then, I passed it along to another co-worker who runs a web-site to post the pic, in a teasing manner. When the employee in the pic saw it posted, they went to management. I was called into my managers office, admitted my role in the situation, and was spoken to with "extreme vulgarity" and sent home for the day. On the way out, I apologized to the employee, and have done so another time since. A week later, my manager asked me to discuss the situation. Again, I admitted my role, and what I did. He took notes of what I said, and also said that if the stories don't match up, he will send us all home for a week at a time, and call us every morning to see if we want to change our story. He did mention that there were discrepencies in our versions, and wouldn't put up with "covering someone's a**". I have admitted my role, and apologized. All of the other managers involved seem to have decided to discipline and move on. However, he has launched a grass-roots investigation of sorts, and is seeking to get others involved. Now, I feel that I'm being badgered by him to change my story, which I won't do. How can I best approach this? As a side note, the employee that was photographed has said they told management the didn't want anything to happen to all involved, except the one that posted the pic. on the website.
Paparazzi Employee Dear Paparazzi Employee, Yikes! That's quite a mess you got yourself into, with a nifty little camera and a tech savvy co-worker 'webmaster'. The thing that really upped the ante was publishing it on the web!? The National Enquirer wasn't buying I guess... Anyway, it makes for a funny story, and I thank you for submitting your dilemma to Office-Politics. I can only imagine how embarrassing it was for the person involved. No wonder they freaked out! But it certainly sounds like you learned your lesson. And that this particular Manager is going to extremes. Virtually every work environment has some degree of off-color humor, and it's best not to react too prudishly. On a serious note, and considering that your job might actually be in jeopardy because of this naughty little prank, I sent your letter along to Arnie Herz who is a US lawyer, and Author of LegalSanity.
Now as Austin Powers would say, "Behave!" Let us know how things work out. Thanks for writing to Office-Politics. Franke Franke James, MFA
The Ethics Letters that appears as a feature of this Website is an educational and discussion oriented column designed to help the reader better understand ethical issues. The matters discussed in the letter are reviewed in a summary/abbreviated way and are only meant to foster thinking on the part of the reader. If a person decides to adopt or implement suggestions, they do so at their own risk. No representation or warranty is provided in relation to suggestions or the contents of the letter. Neither the authors of the letter, Franke James, John W. Burton, Rick Brandon, Marty Seldman, Arnie Herz or the owners of this Website accept any liability whatsoever for any opinions expressed in the letter or for errors and omissions. Submission of letters to the Office-Politics Forum grants the Publisher, Nerdheaven Ltd. the right to reproduce, republish, repurpose and excerpt the submission in any and all other media, without compensation or contacting the author. Copyright Nerdheaven Ltd. 2002-2005
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