Workplace sexism

Nicole

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While a female customer wearing volleyball shorts waited for her carry-out food order, one of my male managers mumbled to himself, “That girl with the shorts is driving me nuts. And they say it’s the rapist’s fault.” I felt sick to my stomach and wanted to leave work. I was the only woman working and was too scared to call him out. I reported it to the general manager the next day, and he got a mild “talking-to” and got off with just an apology (to his boss, not to me) and with saying that he “was just messing around” and that he “knows better”. I told the story to a couple of other male managers I trust and they said he says stuff like that all the time. Now I am just uncomfortable every time I have to work with him., and he won’t make eye contact with me or acknowledge me, and the matter is considered resolved among the all-male managers.

R

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In work as a Police Officer, and some male colleagues were discussing the proposed changes to the law to make sexism a hate crime, along the lines of racism or homophobia. They all stated this was ridiculous, and one commented that he might has well be locked up now. I was very disappointed with their attitude, but as one of only two females present, and the other remaining tight lipped I felt unable to challenge this attitude. I do regularly pick my colleagues up on the use of slang terms for female gentialia being used in a derogatory manner, but all that has now happened is when they do it they add a quick ‘sorry’ on the end and continue!

R

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In work as a Police Officer, and some male colleagues were discussing the proposed changes to the law to make sexism a hate crime, along the lines of racism or homophobia. They all stated this was ridiculous, and one commented that he might has well be locked up now. I was very disappointed with their attitude, but as one of only two females present, and the other remaining tight lipped I felt unable to challenge this attitude. I do regularly pick my colleagues up on the use of slang terms for female gentialia being used in a derogatory manner, but all that has now happened is when they do it they add a quick ‘sorry’ on the end and continue!