Inked Out

[Ex-zombie]

The company I work for has a zero tolerance sexual harrassment policy. Each new employee sits through a four hour seminar on it and there is a session at the end for any questions so the issue can be clarified with each new employee. Each employee then signs a paper stating that among other things they will not display anything(photos, posters, etc.) of a sexual nature. All this is to lay the groundwork for an incident that happened this morning.


I am strolling through the building this morning when I pass a man with a wifebeater t-shirt on. On his right bicep running from shoulder to elbow is a graphic tattoo of a naked woman with erect nipples and she appears to be fondling herself with one hand.

Me: Hello. Are you looking for someone?

Inky: No. I am heading to break.

Me: You work here?

Inky: Yes. I am the new guy in receiving.

Me: You do not work here any longer. You're fired. Leave the building immediately.



Human Resources informed me they had eight complaints about this guy and his tattoo. Evidently today was his first day on the job. The individual that hired him stated that during the interview and at the training sessions the guy was attired in slacks and long sleeve shirts so no awareness of the tattoo was known.

Okay. Why would anyone put that tattoo on display in a work environment? Seriously. I don't get that at all.

[Stormlight]

I'm sorry, but wtf? What did he do to be fired?

[livius drusus]

He displayed a nekkid chick fondling herself, in contravention of the contract he signed, Stormy.

I wonder if he intentionally covered it during the hiring process thinking he could get away with it once he was officially on the job, or whether it was just coincidence that he wore long sleeves. Also, are wife-beaters in general appropriate clothing in your workplace?

[Ex-zombie]

I'm sorry, but wtf? What did he do to be fired?



Every single employee in the company is informed during their initial training about my policy regarding use of the halls in the building. If I spot you in the hall at any time you are not doing your job and you will be immediately terminated. I threw in the tattoo and wife beater t-shirt to make the story more interesting.

[Stormlight]

Oh ... seems I misunderstood. He wasn't a real wife beater? :dopey:

[Stormlight]

I'm sorry, but wtf? What did he do to be fired?

Every single employee in the company is informed during their initial training about my policy regarding use of the halls in the building. If I spot you in the hall at any time you are not doing your job and you will be immediately terminated. I threw in the tattoo and wife beater t-shirt to make the story more interesting.

I see. From the op I understood that this was about the company's sexual harassment policy.

[livius drusus]

:giggle: You guyses are funneh.

[Stormlight]

:giggle: You guyses are funneh.

:glare:

What's a wife beater then (other than a ... wife beater)?

[Crumb]

It's a shirt.

[Ex-zombie]

Also, are wife-beaters in general appropriate clothing in your workplace?

No, they're not. A fairly strict dress code is in place. Another piece of paper Inky signed off on during his training.

[lisarea]

Did it ever occur to you that maybe that was just an unfortunate birthmark?

[ceptimus]

Perhaps your company needs a new zero tolerance policy on harassment of tattooed persons. :P

[Ex-zombie]

Stay focused and answer my question. Why would anyone put that tattoo on display in a work environment? I am seriously interested. I have pondered this all afternoon and I come up empty.:chin:

[Ex-zombie]

Perhaps your company needs a new zero tolerance policy on harassment of tattooed persons. :P


It wasn't about the tattoo. It was about the content of said tattoo.

[ceptimus]

Stay focused and answer my question. Why would anyone put that tattoo on display in a work environment? I am seriously interested. I have pondered this all afternoon and I come up empty.:chin:Perhaps the guy felt that he'd be too hot if he wore a long-sleeved shirt? :dunno:

[Stormlight]

Perhaps your company needs a new zero tolerance policy on harassment of tattooed persons. :P


It wasn't about the tattoo. It was about the content of said tattoo.

No, it wasn't.

If I spot you in the hall at any time you are not doing your job and you will be immediately terminated. I threw in the tattoo and wife beater t-shirt to make the story more interesting.

[lisarea]

Stay focused and answer my question. Why would anyone put that tattoo on display in a work environment? I am seriously interested. I have pondered this all afternoon and I come up empty.:chin:

The reason he put it on display at work is probably the reason he got it in the first place.

I don't know what that reason is, though.

[Watser?]

:yeahthat:

Although I don't see how it is sexual harassment. Bad taste, yes.

[Stormlight]

:yeahthat:

Although I don't see how it is sexual harassment. Bad taste, yes.

Agreed. Very bad taste but definitely no sexual harassment. If that would have happened here, the guy would drag the company through court for discrimination.

[lisarea]

It's an across the board zero tolerance policy, though, and it's explained in detail before they start work.

Even putting aside the apparent dress code violation, just because your lascivious picture is drawn on your arm doesn't mean it's not being displayed. He can obviously cover it up, as he did in the interview, but he chose not to for some reason.

I wouldn't call it sexual harassment necessarily. I'd have to think about that. But it is a pretty clear violation of corporate policy, as it's described.

[Ex-zombie]

Sexual harrassment (at the company where I work) includes the display in the workplace of material with sexual content. It is thought to create a hostile work environment.

[Watser?]

I wouldn't call it sexual harassment necessarily. I'd have to think about that. But it is a pretty clear violation of corporate policy, as it's described.
It is that, obviously.

[ceptimus]

How about if you're a guy or a gal that's blessed with a sexy body? Do you have to wear a burka?

[Naru]

How about if you're a guy or a gal that's blessed with a sexy body? Do you have to wear a burka?

Only if you have erect nipples and appear to be fondling yourself with one hand.

[livius drusus]

Perhaps your company needs a new zero tolerance policy on harassment of tattooed persons. :P


It wasn't about the tattoo. It was about the content of said tattoo.

No, it wasn't.

If I spot you in the hall at any time you are not doing your job and you will be immediately terminated. I threw in the tattoo and wife beater t-shirt to make the story more interesting.
He was making a joke in the above post, Stormy. I thought you were playing along, hence my comment about y'all being funneh. His OP describes what actually happened. There is no such thing, I would imagine, as a zero tolerance hall-walking policy.

[livius drusus]

How about if you're a guy or a gal that's blessed with a sexy body? Do you have to wear a burka?
No, but I bet walking around naked is unacceptable in Ex-zombie's workplace, hot bod or not.

[livius drusus]

As far as the why of it, I'd guess perhaps he wasn't paying attention to the sexual harassment and dress codes when he signed off on them. Alternatively, he may have thought nobody would notice. Boh. :dunno:

[Clutch Munny]

I assume that putting up a poster of a naked masturbating woman in your workspace would be a pretty obvious case of creating a hostile or demeaning environment for women. Taping the poster to yourself would be no better; nor would tattooing it on your arm.

I assume the reason for the display is to communicate a complex of messages to others. Roughly speaking:

"I do sex stuff. Sexy woman sex stuff really interests me. If you are a sexy woman, consider me interested in doing sex stuff with you. Also, for all men, please be aware that I do sex stuff with naked women, not with naked men. I feel so strongly about this sex with women and not with men stuff that I've put this picture on myself. Women. Not men. Seriously."

[Ymir's blood]

It seems pretty clear cut to me. While I'm all for personal freedoms, he entered into an agreement and violated it. He either just blew the training stuff off or was too stupid to think about what he was doing.

There is a local paving contractor that I'm sure would hire him on the spot though. Showing up for work with a blood alcohol level of less than lethal amounts is all that's required.

[LadyShea]

Why would anyone wear a wife beater to work?

[Crumb]

Ventilation?

[LadyShea]

:giggle: You guyses are funneh.

:glare:

What's a wife beater then (other than a ... wife beater)?

It's America slang for a sleeveless, tight t-shirt meant to be worn under a dress shirt. Rednecks and assorted trashy people, ie those who stereotypically tend to have domestic disputes, like to wear them around by themselves though. Hence, they are commonly known as wife beaters in the US.

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/117K1T9CRAL._AA160_.jpg

[Stormlight]

Perhaps your company needs a new zero tolerance policy on harassment of tattooed persons. :P


It wasn't about the tattoo. It was about the content of said tattoo.

No, it wasn't.

If I spot you in the hall at any time you are not doing your job and you will be immediately terminated. I threw in the tattoo and wife beater t-shirt to make the story more interesting.
He was making a joke in the above post, Stormy. I thought you were playing along, hence my comment about y'all being funneh. His OP describes what actually happened. There is no such thing, I would imagine, as a zero tolerance hall-walking policy.

Wow, I feel like a complete idiot now. :blush:

[fragment]

OK, the tattoo was clearly inappropriate and in violation of company policy. But what struck me, and I suspect some other non-Americans, the most about the story is the difference between US labour laws and those of our own countries. Instant dismissal is basically illegal here, and the way it would have played out would have been the guy gets told to cover the thing up and is given a written warning. After something like two written warnings (for anything, not just the same infraction) he could be legally dismissed for the third policy violation.

Of course, instant dismissal can and does happen here. Casual and contract labour doesn't get that kind of protection, people working on that basis would just not receive any more work. They've been an increasing proportion of the workforce over the last couple of decades. It also happens plenty of times that employers just fire people on the assumption that they won't stand up for their rights, and for low-pay positions, usually people won't bother. It's still illegal, though. I imagine people can be fired on the spot for illegal or dangerous activities too.

Sorry to hijack the thread, Ex-Z, I just found that to be an interesting difference. I have no idea why he would have exposed the ink, other than general cluelessness.

[Adora]

Newsflash guys: If the tattoo was of a "Blackie" cartoon character eating a watermelon, it would be racist.

Therefore, objectifying shitty art - tattoos or otherwise - of badly-drawn women* fondling themselves is sexist, and therefore sexual harrassment.

*I have yet to see a female sexualised tattoo that doesn't make me want to gouge my eyes out from the hideousness of the anatomy and style.

[Chris Porter]

Would a woman displaying a competition-thonged male body-builder tattoo on her bicep also be sexual harassment?

http://www.adhurl.com/uploads/Body%20builder-thumb.jpg

(please, please, someone tell me that's photoshopped!)

[fragment]

To be a fair comparison, he'd have to be fondling himself too.

* fragment hurriedly shuts down mental image

[seebs]

Stay focused and answer my question. Why would anyone put that tattoo on display in a work environment? I am seriously interested. I have pondered this all afternoon and I come up empty.:chin:

You know, I have to admit, I'm sorta stumped on that. I am all for aggressive policies favoring tolerance of tattoos in general, but that really does seem excessive.

[Pinecone]

Okay. Why would anyone put that tattoo on display in a work environment? Seriously. I don't get that at all.

I would say this dude could not give up his persona as "The guy with the lewd tatoo." It has become 'who he is'. How he is identified and taken notice of. That persona and infamy is more important to him than a pay check. It has become his identity of himself...with sleeves he would have to exhibit some other quality to be noteworthy. The lewd tatoo results in instant recognition and comment. I think it's like 'trolling' in that, causing controversy centered around oneself is more important than where one is doing it.

[beyelzu]

i have a couple of tats that are visible when i wear short sleeve shirts, but i dont think the question is displaying it at work.

what kind of retarded dipshit gets such a shitty tat in the first place is the more important question

[Ymir's blood]

To be a fair comparison, he'd have to be fondling himself too.
Given the size of those muscles, it is doubtful that he even could. :happywave:

[But]

Your labour laws are totally fucked up, people.

[Crumb]

Don't new hires usually have a probation period where they can be fired instantly?

[curses]

I would say this dude could not give up his persona as "The guy with the lewd tatoo." It has become 'who he is'. How he is identified and taken notice of. That persona and infamy is more important to him than a pay check. It has become his identity of himself...with sleeves he would have to exhibit some other quality to be noteworthy. The lewd tatoo results in instant recognition and comment. I think it's like 'trolling' in that, causing controversy centered around oneself is more important than where one is doing it.
Or it could be he just doesn't care. Or maybe he's trying to prove a point? There are a few modified people out there that are trying to change the world modified people are viewed in the workplace.

He probably just doesn't care.

On a side note I can't imagine a wifebeater as proper work attire, even for a warehouse.

[Leesifer]

Don't new hires usually have a probation period where they can be fired instantly?

We have a three month probation period. I'm still not sure if someone can be fired instantly though. I'm sure it has to wait until the probation period is over in any event.

[Uthgar the Brazen]

To be a fair comparison, he'd have to be fondling himself too.

* fragment hurriedly shuts down mental image

As soon as I'm done stabbing my brain with a fork, I'm coming for you. :whup:

[Watser?]

Don't new hires usually have a probation period where they can be fired instantly?

We have a three month probation period. I'm still not sure if someone can be fired instantly though. I'm sure it has to wait until the probation period is over in any event.

I was thinking the same thing.

[Uthgar the Brazen]

Don't new hires usually have a probation period where they can be fired instantly?

In "at will" states (which is most of them), there is usually a probation period. The length of said period varies, but it's usually between 3 and 12 months. "First day," in any event, would fall within that time frame. And generally an employee doesn't have any appeal rights, etc, during said period (internal). S/he can be terminated immediately for almost any reason.

As to why he did it, I think that the fact he has such an absurd tat answers the question: he is a complete idiot. And he probably thought he was making a statement about his awesome coolness rather than "ask me about my mother's fellatio skills."

[lisarea]

On a side note I can't imagine a wifebeater as proper work attire, even for a warehouse.

I worked in a place where the mailroom guy (mailing multiplexers and other really heavy stuff) would sometimes take off his button-down shirt and work in a wifebeater for a while so he didn't sweat up his work shirt.

And for a sexual harassment tie-in, he was really good looking, so there was a small group of women who were always scheming for excuses to get him to lift things for them.

[Adora]

Would a woman displaying a competition-thonged male body-builder tattoo on her bicep also be sexual harassment?
Like the others said - yeah, if he was jerking off. That is, if he has anything to jerk off with.

[erimir]

Would it have been ok for him to display this tattoo?

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/tmooreshow/wkuktat.jpg

What message does that send?

(yay, I found an appropriate place to post that silly tattoo)

[But]

That's not yours, is it?

[erimir]

Nooooo... I don't have any tattoos. I don't really intend to get any either.

It's based on this sketch:

Whitest Kids U Know

[Ex-zombie]

We have a three month probation period. I'm still not sure if someone can be fired instantly though. I'm sure it has to wait until the probation period is over in any event.

I live in North Carolina which is a right to work state. What that boils down to is I can fire anyone at any time with or without a reason. They would be SOL.


Like I said stay out of the hall.:muahaha:











Not that I would do that. I think the whole right to work thing is pretty fucked up.

[Leesifer]

You need to change your user title to "Hall Monitor". :wink:

Wait! Where do I get my pass?

[Ex-zombie]

You need to change your user title to "Hall Monitor". :wink:

Wait! Where do I get my pass?

Consider it done. I would tell you how to get a hall pass but it would be inappropriate. :lecher:

[Leesifer]

:giggle:

[Sock Puppet]

While I'm not fond of all aspects of the "at-will" doctrine, if I were to modify it I'd still allow employers to fire employees for "complete fucking idiocy." And yes, I'd codify the term verbatim and include an extensive definition.

[Dingfod]

Would "retired in place" be sufficient grounds? If so, I'm in trouble.

[fragment]

It would be nice if employees could fire their bosses for "complete fucking idiocy" too...