Handling the Boss with the Tasteless Sex Jokes
Three generations of successful businesswomen offer their insights.
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Gen@Work | DivineCaroline.com
April 14, 2008
It’s no secret that Generations X and Y see the world at the office differently than their old-school Boomer bosses. Yet all three generations have had to deal with creepy bosses, tasteless sex jokes, and managerial staff who simply don’t understand the boundaries when it comes to sexuality and the workplace.
You be the judge: what is the best way of dealing with sexism within the work place? Does it matter if the jokes are subtle or overt? Traci Tsai from Generation Y works in international marketing at a social networking site; Generation X’er Magan Crane is an editor for a wire service; and Boomer Marilynn Mobley is a senior vice president at a P.R. firm.
This is the first installment of Gen@Work, a monthly column looking at career through the prison of generation.
Dear Gen@Work,
My boss, a man, is always making jokes with sexual innuendo. These comments make me uncomfortable, but nobody else seems to mind and I don’t want to rock the boat. What should I do?
- “Uncomfortable in Texas”
● Generation Y Perspective: Traci Tsai
● Generation X Perspective: Magan Crane
● Boomer Perspective: Marilynn Mobley
Marina_V
8 months ago
4 comments
I am an "X" but also agree with Traci though I know it is very hard to do. I think your company would appreciate you dealing with this problem rather than becoming more and more displeased with your work environment.
top39new
8 months ago
2 comments
I am a boomer but agree with Traci Tsai. I used to just "put up with" negative comments. But my work, my mental health, my concentration, all suffered. Often there is no HR department. I found that being direct and specific worked. Meet with the offender one on one. Take him or her to coffee, make sure that there is plenty of time. The privacy lets the offender - perhaps your boss - know that you are not trying to rock the boat. Then - you can prewrite this - make a simple statement that these jokes are unnecessary and make you uncomfortable. This procedure was developed by HR over many years of handling complaints from women and Blacks. It works.