Ahh, so classic and stereotypical…
Two builders (construction workers) in the UK were suspended from work for harassing a woman walking by their work site at Fish Hill Square. The woman felt so uncomfortable, she told her husband how she didn’t want to walk past there again. That led him to write a complaint to the construction company.
This part is less stereotypical and very laudable on the part of the company: the men were identified and taken off the job for a few days.
Via the Daily Mail Online:
“They will now be allowed back after their accuser decided not to take matters further, although they are still facing a ‘discussion’ with bosses today. Maylim yesterday insisted sexist behaviour was ‘terrible for the company image’ and it was taking the allegations seriously.
Managing director Thomas O’Mahony said: ‘We acted within half-an-hour of being alerted to the complaint. It’s company policy to immediately suspend anyone who is made the subject of a complaint by the public.
‘We don’t tolerate wolf-whistling or any form of sexual harassment. It’s unacceptable – we are in the public eye and our image is important.
‘The two men are in their mid-20s and they have been invited in for a discussion. They denied the allegations and were frustrated to be off work. Now we know that the complainant doesn’t want to take this further the men will be allowed to go back to work.’”
“Hairdresser Jane Westley said: ‘I don’t think wolf-whistling’s too much of an issue. If I got wolf-whistled I think I’d find it a compliment. It’s just what builders do.’
Another woman, who asked not to be named, said: ‘I guess it’s their bit of harmless fun while working – to admire girls walking past in the summer.’ A 34-year-old man added: ‘Everyone thinks it’s a strange complaint to make. I feel bad for the guys off work.’”
I hope the construction company will stand firm to its policy and that the men will stop harassing women in the future!
(Many thanks to Vicky Simister at the UK Anti-Street Harassment Campaign for the story tip!)
