What to do when there’s a creep!

A creep! Yes i said it! A creep to me is a man that is disrespectful and gets out of line. Maybe that “creepy” guy in the supermarket that looks at you and sticks his tongue out and wiggles it(yes it happened to me). I know this is a topic that many of you have heard of but too many do not understand the concept.

Sexual harassment is not tolerable.

Yet many of us women let it slide so much. There were actually a couple of times where I was being harassed and I thought nothing of it. Now, looking back at how old I was, it sickens me to think that some older men are capable of it. Even some women are capable themselves!

It needs to be known that sexual harassment is against that law. It mostly occurs in the workplace but it can happen anywhere. Many of you will get your first job someday while many of you have been working for years. Both groups must know that this is something we should always be ready to handle in the event it occurs. That’s why I put this together today. First, some facts.

When someone is harassing you they may be making unwelcome advances(touching, feeling, rubbing when you did not give the OK), saying sexual remarks(comments regarding sex, about your body, how great you look), asking for sexual favors, the list goes on.

Ok, so we always like a compliment every once in a while, I mean always! However, there are times when it shouldn’t be happening. For example, I once worked a job where my supervisor was a little extra friendly. Every time I would dress up for work he’d give me the stare down(up,down,all around), tell me how beautiful I was, even call my office phone and tell me how good I looked. I would laugh it off but inside I felt extremely uncomfortable. Thats when you’re being harassed.

To this day I wish I would have said something because after I left, a few of my coworkers told me how he would act the same way with them.

Sometimes you may think that theres a man giving you attention because he’s interested and he makes you feel special but he may be acting the same way with someone else. Always keep your eyes and ears open. You’ll be surprised what you find out. Also, know that harassment becomes illegal when your comfortable work environment is being compromised. Do you not want to go to work because of the creep who bothers you? Illegal!

Here are some tips for you when you realize that you are being harassed.

1. Tell them to stop.

Say something like, “Bob, that makes me feel uncomfortable” or “that’s not very appropriate for you to be saying to me”. I think you get my drift.

2. If they don’t stop, tell someone.

Preferably someone you are comfortable with that can do something about it. Maybe his/her boss/HR department. Evil chuckle.

Here are some good websites I found with more info:

http://www.dotcr.ost.dot.gov/Documents/complaint/Preventing_Sexual_Harassment.htm

http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-sex.html