No, seriously, not an over-reaction at all. It's easy to say that you should have said something at the time, but the reality is that most people, in those circumstances, don't or can't. There are lots of reasons - the main ones being that the attention leaves you flustered and unable to think clearly about it, and you being wary of how the other person may react if rebuffed (maybe a combination of both) - and the fact that you didn't say anything at the time doesn't in any way invalidate your discomfort.
Sure, he may have just been trying to be nice and doing it in the only way he knew how, but it was unprofessional to comment on your looks in the first place and excessive to keep going on about it. Whether or not the intent was there, it made you uncomfortable, and that's a form of harrassment. And I'd bet you any money that he wouldn't have behaved like that if he were dealing with a male employee, or an older female one. At the end of the day, you have the right to feel comfortable in your working environment, and that's the most important thing here.
Thanks. You've hit the nail on the head there, I was very flustered at the time and though it did occur to me to say something I couldn't. I don't think he'd have reacted theateningly, but it would have been very awkward and it seems very ungrateful somehow?
I'll introduce him to the IT next time - who knows, maybe he'll also be called "beautiful"!
Sure, he may have just been trying to be nice and doing it in the only way he knew how, but it was unprofessional to comment on your looks in the first place and excessive to keep going on about it. Whether or not the intent was there, it made you uncomfortable, and that's a form of harrassment. And I'd bet you any money that he wouldn't have behaved like that if he were dealing with a male employee, or an older female one. At the end of the day, you have the right to feel comfortable in your working environment, and that's the most important thing here.
Reply
I'll introduce him to the IT next time - who knows, maybe he'll also be called "beautiful"!
Reply
Leave a comment