In This Issue... HOW'S THIS FOR A WORKPLACE ISSUE?
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Sex Harassment Training Is No Longer Discretionary — IT'S MANDATORY! So says the Supreme Court…hundreds of lower courts…state and federal agencies like the EEOC and DOL…and over 150,000 charges costing companies like yours over $400 million in the last 10 years. So before the EEOC, DOL, or a judge and jury demand that you provide sexual harassment training, institute it on your own terms. Get your own sure-fire anti-harassment program with the first module in AHI's Workplace Compliance Training Series: AHI's Preventing Sexual Harassment CD Presentation Kit This training module includes a Leader's Guide, a Participant's Workbook, Handouts, and a PowerPoint slide presentation...everything you need to conduct a professional, effective, and legally-defensible compliance session. Now you can protect yourself and your company from sexual harassment charges and resulting fines with a training course that ensures full compliance. Get your Preventing Sexual Harassment Training Kit today! |
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HOW'S THIS FOR A WORKPLACE ISSUE?
I admit it. The headline from the Miami paper piqued my interest. (Isn't that what headlines are supposed to do?) It read: Sartorial Sex In The Office. Remember, it's my job to keep up on the latest trends in business, so in the interest of editorial investigation, I clicked on the story.
The subhead to the headline drew me in deeper. It read: Too Much Skin Is Not In. Now I'm hooked. (Once again, giving my all for the pursuit of business information for YOU, our readers.) When the article starts talking about cleavage, I'm wondering whether I'm being led down that proverbial primrose path. Sure enough, the gist of the article becomes clear. In essence: It's talking about cleavage alright, only, “toe cleavage.” That's right: the decadent display of tootsies in open-tootsied sandals.
Yes, that's the latest (at least this summer) business exposé, if you'll excuse the pun. There are reportedly some dress codes that demand “hidden toes.” Where are the foot police when you need them, eh?
But this can't be a real issue in today's workplace, can it? So I look up (by the way, I refuse to use the word “google” as a verb, to describe looking something up online, especially since it's a noun that I wished I owned!) past topics of concern on our message board, and lo and behold, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a topic titled “Office Dress Code — Sorta.”
Over two dozen posts have opined on the question of — are you ready for this — women (I assume men are covered by this issue too), socks, and pantyhose. Seems the original thread-starter has been having trouble with employees who rub their bare feet together (where are the bare feet police?) under tables during meetings and make scratching noises that distract from the discussion.
With tongues firmly planted in cheeks, respondents issued their strategies.
Said one: Next time someone kicks off her pumps, tell her to put her stinkin' dogs back in the kennel. Another suggested a washtub full of skin lotion at the entrance to the conference room. Another: a gift certificate for a pedicure.
When another poster suggested bringing a bottle of lotion to the table and offering it when the scratching started, yet another cohort painted this grim picture: Then she'll prop her feet on the table and start moisturizing. Yick.
The initial poster came back with this story. The boss happened to forget where she was, slipped off her shoes, and started rubbing her bare feet on what she thought was the table leg. Turned out to be the company controller's leg instead. UGGGGH.
One crafty veteran of the HR wars suggested a little white lie: telling the foot nudists that an epidemic of plantar's warts was going around and it is spread by walking barefoot on carpets and floors.
But perhaps the most practical response came near the end of the thread. This take: I'll take a barefoot employee busting their butt and faithfully loyal than an employee wearing pantyhose and keeping their Naturalizers (edit. note: whatever they are) on all day.
So police that toe cleavage, keep your shoes on, and stay legal.
Brian L.P. Zevnik
Editor-in-Chief
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