Is it sexual harassment to say someone looks great/beautiful?

[Anonymous]

I am an effusive and very social person, and work in a very busy environment - lots of coming and going and conversation throughout the day. Sometimes I'll tell someone they look beautiful, but I worry this might be misconstrued as sexual harassment. (FWIW I say it openly - I don't pull people aside and say this - and in passing. Also I am a woman.)

[Anonymous]

All depends on the context. More information needed. You might also consider whether it creates a hostile work environment (which is separate from harassment per se), but again more context needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All depends on the context. More information needed. You might also consider whether it creates a hostile work environment (which is separate from harassment per se), but again more context needed.

If someone has put extra effort into their appearance/got a dramatic haircut or something similar I will say it. It's always very spontaneous and doesn't happen a lot or with the same person.

[Anonymous]

No, but that doesn’t make it welcome, either. When I’m going about my day morning my business, especially at work, I just don’t want anyone to comment on my looks.

[Anonymous]

I just had to take my yearly sexual harassment training as a Fed and if I recall I think a one off comment is “ok” but if it continues that could be a problem. Personally I would not use the word beautiful and might say something like “you love ok nice today”.

[Anonymous]

That should have said “you look nice today.”

[Anonymous]

If you need to ask....don’t do it.
I compliment other women on their clothes, or noticing a new haircut. I never comment on a man’s appearance. And, when I think back to times that men have commented on my clothes or appearance, it’s always been a little weird. Like, that’s what you’re noticing about me?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All depends on the context. More information needed. You might also consider whether it creates a hostile work environment (which is separate from harassment per se), but again more context needed.

Hostile work environment is a form of sexual harassment. (The other form is called "quid pro quo" which means that the harasser asked for something, ie, a situation in which sexual favors or actions are demanded in exchange for keeping a job.)

HWE has to be pervasive and severe in order to exist. Telling someone they look great doesn't rise to that standard. However, a cautious person would be wise to think about his or her actions in today's workplace. Giving out compliments and being an effusive person might not be a wise idea.

[Anonymous]

Saying “you look great today” or “nice haircut” or “I love your shirt” is normal. If someone told me in a work context that I looked beautiful I’d find it really weird. It’s too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That should have said “you look nice today.”

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you need to ask....don’t do it.
I compliment other women on their clothes, or noticing a new haircut. I never comment on a man’s appearance. And, when I think back to times that men have commented on my clothes or appearance, it’s always been a little weird. Like, that’s what you’re noticing about me?

I pretty much do tgis except i will comment on men if i havent seen then in a while and they’ve had a pretty dramatic change for the better.

[Anonymous]

Rule of thumb: “You look ______” (nice, beautiful, tired) = never ok
“I like your _______” (shoes, haircut, scarf) = fine

[Anonymous]

It's not sexual harassment legally, but you shouldn't do it. Particularly if you're a man commenting on young women.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rule of thumb: “You look ______” (nice, beautiful, tired) = never ok
“I like your _______” (shoes, haircut, scarf) = fine

but not if you're a man and say this every day only to female colleagues.

[Anonymous]

It’s a spectrum.

Hi = ok
Nice shoes = ok
Nice tits = ease up
Wanna hump uglies? = no