Tales from the Workplace: Mr. Inappropriate

May 03, 2004

Mr. Inappropriate

What does it say about an organization that tolerates the licentious behavior of an individual whose misdeeds are so widely known that even vice presidents warn their staffs about him? I'm going to a conference in Miami in a couple of hours . . . Mr. Inappropriate will be there as well. No fewer than 5 of my coworkers have warned me to be careful around the pool, where Mr. Inappropriate is known to ogle the ladies, make suggestive remarks and otherwise behave in an egregious manner. Gross.

I was already well aware of his lewd proclivities. He has told me that I am referred to around the organization as one of the two "hot blonds" in communications and I've caught him trying to look down my shirt. I started keeping my office door closed which effectively stopped his dropping in for a chat.

How this organization has not been sued yet is a mystery. But the fact that they tolerate his behavior tops my list of reasons to look for a new job.

Posted by Chemical Lizzy at May 3, 2004 11:39 AM

Comments

Yeah, that is totally unacceptable. . . has HR ever said anything to him? Has anyone done anything? Good luck on the trip. Don't go into the pool. :-)

Posted by: Karen at May 3, 2004 12:03 PM

Looking for a new job is the worst, worst, worst. I've been filling out government job applications that are sooo complicated for jobs that are sooo beneath my abilities... I don't understand. I think these applications should have a clause that reads "If you can fill this out, you are overqualified and should pursue employment elsewhere." I need some encouragement. I'll get a job, right?

Posted by: Catherine at May 3, 2004 03:39 PM

Chemical Lizzy -- I feel your pain. Please let us know how it turns out. "Ogling Jimmy" better behave in Miami.

Posted by: Laurie at May 4, 2004 12:14 PM

Well, moral bankruptcy was the theme of my trip to Miami, but it was actually one of the VP's who warned about Mr. Inappropriate who sank to the new low of sucking face with his European counterpart at the bar in front of staff!! I should note that VP and European counterpart are both married and well past the age when hooking up in public can be excused as the parties just not knowing any better. (And I'll preempt any comments about me being past that age as well by noting that my excuse is that I just haven't learned to hold my liquor.)

Posted by: Chemical Lizzy at May 5, 2004 10:00 AM

What IS it about conferences (or "being outside the Beltway" as Ms. Demon used to call it with her work colleagues) that makes people think it's ok to do whatever they want in public settings? (Of course, I too do not have a perfectly clean record on this myself -- indeed, I can't run for office due to some choice pictures out there based on jagermeister and such conference behavior. . . but STILL.)

Posted by: Karen at May 5, 2004 01:06 PM

This is more evidence of the fact that the way to succeed in business is to be completely devoid of integrity, capacity for doing a good job, and common sense.

Posted by: Val at May 5, 2004 01:09 PM

So, "Ogling Jimmy" got one-upped! By a superior, no less. Chemical Lizzy and I, alas, work at the same crazy place. I am constantly amazed at what passes for acceptable behavior here. I'm afraid I may have a nightmare after visualizing the horror of that make-out scene.

Posted by: Laurie at May 5, 2004 01:26 PM



My newest book will be out in July. Preorder it now -- just click on it, go to Amazon, and help me earn royalties! And you can still buy my last book, The Big Bang Theory. Powered by Movable Type 2.661			« Absentminded Professor \| Main \| Employee Manuel » May 03, 2004 Mr. Inappropriate What does it say about an organization that tolerates the licentious behavior of an individual whose misdeeds are so widely known that even vice presidents warn their staffs about him? I'm going to a conference in Miami in a couple of hours . . . Mr. Inappropriate will be there as well. No fewer than 5 of my coworkers have warned me to be careful around the pool, where Mr. Inappropriate is known to ogle the ladies, make suggestive remarks and otherwise behave in an egregious manner. Gross. I was already well aware of his lewd proclivities. He has told me that I am referred to around the organization as one of the two "hot blonds" in communications and I've caught him trying to look down my shirt. I started keeping my office door closed which effectively stopped his dropping in for a chat. How this organization has not been sued yet is a mystery. But the fact that they tolerate his behavior tops my list of reasons to look for a new job. Posted by Chemical Lizzy at May 3, 2004 11:39 AM Comments Yeah, that is totally unacceptable. . . has HR ever said anything to him? Has anyone done anything? Good luck on the trip. Don't go into the pool. :-) Posted by: Karen at May 3, 2004 12:03 PM Looking for a new job is the worst, worst, worst. I've been filling out government job applications that are sooo complicated for jobs that are sooo beneath my abilities... I don't understand. I think these applications should have a clause that reads "If you can fill this out, you are overqualified and should pursue employment elsewhere." I need some encouragement. I'll get a job, right? Posted by: Catherine at May 3, 2004 03:39 PM Chemical Lizzy -- I feel your pain. Please let us know how it turns out. "Ogling Jimmy" better behave in Miami. Posted by: Laurie at May 4, 2004 12:14 PM Well, moral bankruptcy was the theme of my trip to Miami, but it was actually one of the VP's who warned about Mr. Inappropriate who sank to the new low of sucking face with his European counterpart at the bar in front of staff!! I should note that VP and European counterpart are both married and well past the age when hooking up in public can be excused as the parties just not knowing any better. (And I'll preempt any comments about me being past that age as well by noting that my excuse is that I just haven't learned to hold my liquor.) Posted by: Chemical Lizzy at May 5, 2004 10:00 AM What IS it about conferences (or "being outside the Beltway" as Ms. Demon used to call it with her work colleagues) that makes people think it's ok to do whatever they want in public settings? (Of course, I too do not have a perfectly clean record on this myself -- indeed, I can't run for office due to some choice pictures out there based on jagermeister and such conference behavior. . . but STILL.) Posted by: Karen at May 5, 2004 01:06 PM This is more evidence of the fact that the way to succeed in business is to be completely devoid of integrity, capacity for doing a good job, and common sense. Posted by: Val at May 5, 2004 01:09 PM So, "Ogling Jimmy" got one-upped! By a superior, no less. Chemical Lizzy and I, alas, work at the same crazy place. I am constantly amazed at what passes for acceptable behavior here. I'm afraid I may have a nightmare after visualizing the horror of that make-out scene. Posted by: Laurie at May 5, 2004 01:26 PM Life in the trenches -- as contributed by many of my friends. Recent Entries Filters I think I have Auschwitz Syndrome Quarter @ssed Efforts The Slow Death of The Wait Return of Hickey Boy Some Bridges are Better Burned The Killer Pistachio passive-aggressive use of punctuation Mommy? Counting to Ten Slowly Categories Topic: Day-to-Day Craziness Topic: Dealing with Clients Topic: I Work With These People?? Topic: The Woes of Getting a Job Writer: BP Writer: Chemical Lizzy Writer: Demon Writer: KCF Writer: Kgsavoie Writer: Leapers Writer: Proletariat#5768 Writer: Radio Lizzy Writer: Val Archives September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 Search Search this site: