I think I offered someone with a sexual harassment joke.

[Anonymous]

I was talking to a colleague about the various harassment allegations, and how they are not equivalent. For example, there is a difference between creeping of 14 yo's, and asking a coworker out. How there is a scale; some actions will get you reprimanded, while others are straight on assault.

Then, the subject of Franken came up. And I joked, it is a consent issue with the second issues: if you agree to allow Al to cop a feel (bad but better than feel a cop) in exchange for the photo, then it is ok. If you do not ask permission, then it is not ok. (IMHO, this would be a great SNL skit). A colleague heard this, and reported me to HR, who told me to be careful.

Was that joke out of line?

[Anonymous]

Yep.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, don't tell jokes like this at work. If you know who you offended, offer an apology - a real one. it was a stupid joke anyway and in the wrong context.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand your joke.
Also, are you an idiot? Who jokes about sexual harassment and assault in the workplace given the national issue it is right now. Let me guess...this isn’t the first questionable “joke” you’ve told in the office.

[Anonymous]

Wut.

I think there are plenty of uncontroversial topics to chat about at work.

[Anonymous]

I only make jokes with people I trust in earshot. And there are not many people I trust.

[Anonymous]

Ya dude. There are jokes you make in an office like "Did you hear about the pirate movie? It's rated Aaaaarrrrrrrrr". And then there's ones you don't, like "Why was Hellen Kellers leg yellow? Her dog was blind too."

[Anonymous]

No you are fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ya dude. There are jokes you make in an office like "Did you hear about the pirate movie? It's rated Aaaaarrrrrrrrr". And then there's ones you don't, like "Why was Hellen Kellers leg yellow? Her dog was blind too."

OMG I love you. I'm using this, today, if possible.

[Anonymous]

If you are asking the question because you are wondering whether you are a bad person, then no, I don't think the joke crossed a line.

If you are asking the question because you want to know if you can make similar jokes like that in the future, then yes, you crossed a line of what is acceptable in the workplace.

[Anonymous]

WTF, OP? Ugh.

[Anonymous]

For the record, I'd like to know why Helen Keller's leg was yellow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand your joke.
Also, are you an idiot? Who jokes about sexual harassment and assault in the workplace given the national issue it is right now. Let me guess...this isn’t the first questionable “joke” you’ve told in the office.

Yeah, that joke isn't funny.

And jokes about sex or sexual behavior or sexual harassment are pretty much never appropriate in the workplace anyway. Because unless you work for a sex therapist, SVU, or an OB/GYN's office, talking about sex in the workplace is pretty much never appropriate in the workplace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to a colleague about the various harassment allegations, and how they are not equivalent. For example, there is a difference between creeping of 14 yo's, and asking a coworker out. How there is a scale; some actions will get you reprimanded, while others are straight on assault.

Then, the subject of Franken came up. And I joked, it is a consent issue with the second issues: if you agree to allow Al to cop a feel (bad but better than feel a cop) in exchange for the photo, then it is ok. If you do not ask permission, then it is not ok. (IMHO, this would be a great SNL skit). A colleague heard this, and reported me to HR, who told me to be careful.

Was that joke out of line?

I think that joke is so juvenile Roy Moore wants to date it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the record, I'd like to know why Helen Keller's leg was yellow.

Her dog peed on her leg instead of a tree