babble home
rabble.ca - news for the rest of us
today's active topics


Post New Topic  Post A Reply
FAQ | Forum Home
  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» babble   » walking the talk   » feminism   » Sexual Objectification of Women

Email this thread to someone!    
Author Topic: Sexual Objectification of Women
Pride for Red Dolores
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12072

posted 27 March 2006 03:52 AM      Profile for Pride for Red Dolores     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
In all honesty I'm not certain how to go about this so here we go:
At my place of work, in the basement is a warehouse where the products we sell are stored, as well as files that I occasionaly need access to to do my job. On the wall opposite the door there is this poster of a woman in short shorts and a teeny weenie top with a power tool, in a way that is cleary objectifying. There 's another similar one on the workstation of the guy who works there- except she look like she's from UPS or something. How do I go about telling him to take it down without coming across wrong to a white middle aged man who I'm certain does not hold feminist views ?

[ 27 March 2006: Message edited by: Pride for Red Dolores ]

[ 27 March 2006: Message edited by: Pride for Red Dolores ]


From: Montreal | Registered: Feb 2006  |  IP: Logged
$1000 Wedding
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11486

posted 27 March 2006 04:26 AM      Profile for $1000 Wedding        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
You should tell your supervisor, not your colleague that you think it's inappropriate for such materials to be displayed in a workplace. Add that the public, clients and other company suppliers will see it and it will give the company an unprofessional image. The supervisor should deal with it.

Don't say you are offended as it subjectfies and personalizes the issue (even though you are right to be offended). Make the issue a matter of professionalism and appropriate business conduct. As such, it is a matter for your supervisor, not you to handle. He should approach the person with the poster and if he is smart he will do so discreetly and quietly without moralistic and judgemental tones. Perhaps your colleague didn't know any better. Who knows? Ultimately, you just want the offending material removed without disruption to your existing work relationships.

I'm not saying don't make a big deal about it or it isn't a big deal. Rather, handle it diplomatically and smartly and you'll score points for yourself and make friends.


From: Vancouver | Registered: Dec 2005  |  IP: Logged
Grizzled Wolf
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12285

posted 27 March 2006 11:46 AM      Profile for Grizzled Wolf     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I agree with 1KWedding - and would add that although it is appalling that you have been put in this situation, something must be done, or the troglodytes win...
From: Wherever they send me - currently lovely Edmonton | Registered: Mar 2006  |  IP: Logged
Jinx
recent-rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12310

posted 27 March 2006 11:05 PM      Profile for Jinx     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
As far as I know, it is the responsibility of management to provide a harassment free and "unpoisoned" workplace. If you find said pictures make you uncomfortable, the other workers have no business displaying them. In no way would it be good for you to have to police your coworkers' behaviour. I should add the disclaimer that IANAL
From: SW Ontario | Registered: Mar 2006  |  IP: Logged
Gir Draxon
leftist-rightie and rightist-leftie
Babbler # 3804

posted 28 March 2006 02:38 PM      Profile for Gir Draxon     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I'd also imagine your company has policies against sexual harassment... I know that displaying those posters at my workplace would not be tolerated for that reason- no supervisor's discretion needed.
From: Arkham Asylum | Registered: Feb 2003  |  IP: Logged
Scott Piatkowski
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1299

posted 28 March 2006 05:36 PM      Profile for Scott Piatkowski   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I have to wonder why the person whose gender is being objectified has to worry about "coming across wrong" -- rather than the poster afficionado. Why doesn't he feel compelled to think about how he comes across to his co-workers?
From: Kitchener-Waterloo | Registered: Sep 2001  |  IP: Logged
Jinx
recent-rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12310

posted 28 March 2006 08:13 PM      Profile for Jinx     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
I have to wonder why the person whose gender is being objectified has to worry about "coming across wrong" -- rather than the poster afficionado. Why doesn't he feel compelled to think about how he comes across to his co-workers?

Possibly it is because said person might be made to feel as if she is "making too big a deal" of "how things always were." I am not trying to put words into the mouth of the original poster, though. In the past I have asked management to quietly remove similar materials from plain sight at my workplace. Despite being male, some of the pics displayed were not the stuff I'd appreciate my wife or daughters to have to be around. That seems to be an appropriate standard to me.


From: SW Ontario | Registered: Mar 2006  |  IP: Logged
$1000 Wedding
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11486

posted 28 March 2006 11:50 PM      Profile for $1000 Wedding        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Because "coming across right" is important when dealing with these issues. Because you want to solve the problem by only using as much force as necessary with the understanding that you want to remain on good working terms with your colleagues. After all you spend part of your day there. You could jump and scream and cause a scene. Or you can handle it effectively in a way which causes management to appreciate your tact and skill...so you might even be considered for a promotion to management.
From: Vancouver | Registered: Dec 2005  |  IP: Logged
Pride for Red Dolores
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12072

posted 29 March 2006 08:59 AM      Profile for Pride for Red Dolores     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Thank You ! I'll talk to my boss as soon as she comes in. I agree with what almost all of you are saying.

[ 29 March 2006: Message edited by: Pride for Red Dolores ]


From: Montreal | Registered: Feb 2006  |  IP: Logged
skdadl
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 478

posted 29 March 2006 09:15 AM      Profile for skdadl     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Scott Piatkowski:
I have to wonder why the person whose gender is being objectified has to worry about "coming across wrong" -- rather than the poster afficionado. Why doesn't he feel compelled to think about how he comes across to his co-workers?

The person whose gender is being objectified should not only not have to worry; she should not have to feel responsible for taking on extra work or stress.


From: gone | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
Pride for Red Dolores
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12072

posted 29 March 2006 01:44 PM      Profile for Pride for Red Dolores     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
That the poster is there in the first place means that he does not realise (or at worst care) that it is offensive and inapropriate. My co-workers have been ignoring it I guess-and also like I initially said likely don't see it the way I do.

[ 29 March 2006: Message edited by: Pride for Red Dolores ]


From: Montreal | Registered: Feb 2006  |  IP: Logged
JPG
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 10478

posted 29 March 2006 02:12 PM      Profile for JPG     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
My co-workers have been ignoring it I guess-and also like I initially said likely don't see it the way I do.

Should they see it like you do? (Or do you mean they physically don't see it, in which case I retract my comment).

P.S I'm not trying to be an ass, I totally agree that you should use any avenues available to correct the situation. I'm just wondering how you feel about female co-workers who don't take offense.

[ 29 March 2006: Message edited by: JPG ]


From: Toronto/Ottawa | Registered: Sep 2005  |  IP: Logged
Jinx
recent-rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12310

posted 29 March 2006 11:21 PM      Profile for Jinx     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Seriously, if said poster is bothering *you* that should be reason enough to ask your employer to have it removed. The attitude of the person putting it up or your other coworkers is a secondary concern. If I saw something racist, sexist or discriminatory being displayed where I work, it would be easy for me to decide to ask for its removal. Even if I wasn't a member of the group being discrimnated against. It's easy to fall into the trap of asking yourself if you are being too critical. That explains partly why stuff like this goes on.
From: SW Ontario | Registered: Mar 2006  |  IP: Logged
farnival
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6452

posted 29 March 2006 11:30 PM      Profile for farnival     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
compliments to $1000 wedding. that is exactly the correct advice in this situation, and I would add that if your supervisor won't or doesn't act on your complaint, go on to their supervisor, or perhaps have a conversation with your HR dept. if you have one.
From: where private gain trumps public interest, and apparently that's just dandy. | Registered: Jul 2004  |  IP: Logged
JPG
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 10478

posted 29 March 2006 11:43 PM      Profile for JPG     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
If it becomes neccesary to resort to one in such a situation, is there a human rights body to go to (such as the Ontario Human RIghts Commission)?
From: Toronto/Ottawa | Registered: Sep 2005  |  IP: Logged
Pride for Red Dolores
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12072

posted 30 March 2006 08:09 PM      Profile for Pride for Red Dolores     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I'm disgusted to reported that I got laid off yesterday even before I could bring the subject up with my boss, or mention to anyone that I would.

And JPG, as to how I feel about my female co-workers who don't take offense....well, upon further thought, out of the 4 women who work at this company, only maybe 2 of us go down to the basement on a regular basis to get access to the files that are down there (previous years financials,invoices etc). My boss has been down there and likely seen the poster as well, but of course as to what others have seen or noticed I can't be certain. While diversity
of opnion is great and I'm not going to say that evereyone must have the same opinions as mine, I will say that Iwish that they did see this as an example of sexual objectification that it so obviously is. So as to your question, in a sense yes it bothers me and no it doesn't.

[ 30 March 2006: Message edited by: Pride for Red Dolores ]


From: Montreal | Registered: Feb 2006  |  IP: Logged
Jinx
recent-rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12310

posted 30 March 2006 08:16 PM      Profile for Jinx     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Ouch. Sorry to hear about that. It's a tough time to be laid off in. May your employment picture brighten soon.
From: SW Ontario | Registered: Mar 2006  |  IP: Logged
Pride for Red Dolores
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12072

posted 30 March 2006 08:34 PM      Profile for Pride for Red Dolores     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Thank You
From: Montreal | Registered: Feb 2006  |  IP: Logged

All times are Pacific Time  

Post New Topic  Post A Reply Close Topic    Move Topic    Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
Hop To:

Contact Us | rabble.ca | Policy Statement

Copyright 2001-2008 rabble.ca