In 2019, employers paid a record-breaking $68.2 million toward sexual harassment claims — $10 million more than the previous all-time high. Not all complaints make it that far. For one Redditor, that remains to be seen.
Earlier in December, a man who goes by the user name "TransparentVoices" took to Reddit's "True Off My Chest" forum to explain the debacle he'd been put in. The incident in question had to do with pants.
"However yesterday my boss called me into her office and told me I would no longer be allowed to wear the pants I normally wear to the office and would have to wear something 'less revealing'. Apparently, my 'bulge' is inappropriate for the workplace," he wrote. "I asked her 'what should I wear instead? These are my size' and she said 'just go buy something looser or get a bigger size.'"
Comments poured in with many telling the man to alert Human Resources about the conversations. Others suggested he consult with an attorney. On December 13, the man posted an update in a post that now has more than 30,000 upvotes.
"I contacted two well-known lawyers in my area and got a consultation from them about my situation. They both thought that while I was sexually harassed, the case wasn't bulletproof as there was little evidence, and no pattern of abuse," he said. "They then also warned me about going to HR without any evidence, as it can cascade into me losing my job in unexpected ways. fine."
He read through his company's sexual harassment protocols and pulled from their available courses to be sure his scenario carried weight.
"In the 'though conversations' module, there was a scenario where a male supervisor needed to ask a female employee to correct her work outfit, as it did not meet the company's dress code," he said. "The module in plain English states that the supervisor is not to intervene and to refer the issue to HR. I assume that the inverse, a female supervisor reprimanding a male's outfit, would follow the same standards."
He continued saying he wrote a follow-up email to his supervisor re-stating the things she'd previously said to him about his pants in clear detail.
"Yes, I did tell you to fix your wardrobe. This is not a request," she responded a day later, he said.
The man immediately replied. "If management is demanding that I replace such a large amount of work clothing, it must be done at the expense of <company name>. Please let me know if this is possible, as we will have to work something else out if it isn't."
His boss responded — but with something he hadn't anticipated. "This can be done, but I must be with you to supervise your shopping. Check my schedule for my availability," she wrote.
Per the internet's previous suggestions, the man "backed up the emails to a personal account and sent everything to HR." He later got the call from HR to come in so they could tell him they were taking this matter 'very seriously' and that he should "take the rest of the day off."
By the time he returned to work, his supervisor was gone.
"I was told right before lunch that she had been placed on administrative leave pending a full investigation and that I shouldn't worry, its against company policy to engage in any form of professional retaliation," he said.
With so much invested in the lingering tale, many came in to show support.
"'Supervise your shopping' WTF??? I think the company wouldn't have given a f***, but she shot herself on the foot by saying the company could cover your new bulgless wardrobe," alepolait said.
homogenousmoss agreed. "That manager would have to be an even greater level of idiot to put it in writing. Most similar cases we had were basically unsolvable because nothing was in writting'. Way to prove your boss was an idiot."
"Supervising pants acquisition? How is that ever not going to be harassment? Yikes," forhekset666 wrote.
"Hell yeah, dude. I read your original post and assumed there was no way that she'd be stupid enough to confirm any of that in writing. You threaded the needle on this one, my guy. Walk tall (with that big old bulge of yours), king," Mumblerumble added.
"This was such a great update. This is why I keep coming back to Reddit. Thank you OP. Enjoy your victory!" sumthingsumthingblah said.
And finally, as many others pointed out, Taliasimmy69 wrote: "Omg this is the best and is a serious win for inter office sexual harassment. People never seem to take men seriously when they claim to be sexually harassed and while women still have an uphill battle I'm happy to see a win for you too!"
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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