I remember the meeting with my client.
“Do you really want our business?”, she smirked.
“Well … it’s a very competitive offer… our solution…”.
She interrupted me…
“No, I don’t mean solutions sweetie… you just have to smooth the deal … ,“
She grabbed my hand and pulled it to her crotch.
I retreated as if she’d bit me.
—–
A mere week later…
The head of HR closed the door behind me.
“You know our policy against sexual harassment?”
I felt the walls cave in and the only thing I saw was our corporate policy:
The customer is always right
© Nick Allen
The oilcans made me think about how business sometimes is run… to smooth a deal can be with bribes or as in this case other methods. I have never been in this situation, but I have been in a few uncomfortable situations.
It may take me a few days to return the comments, but I will make sure to reciprocate your comment.
Friday Fictioneers is a community of bloggers and Rochelle keeps us all in order. The idea is as brilliant as it’s easy… just write a story in 100 words from the picture link up and read.
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November 28, 2018
Dear Björn,
We forget how harassment can be on both sides of the fence. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
And in all cases we decide who is right and who is wrong.
I like how you told this from a different perspective. Excellent take on the photo prompt.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thank you… sometimes you just have to go with the first idea that strikes you
The dangers of always believing no matter what. A timely cautionary tale.
Though I tend to believe a woman accusation I think there are exceptions… especially if there is a power game involved…
Why does anyone think that simply being female makes you an honest person? Nope. I’ve seen the other side, and it ain’t pretty. You’ve done a great job with this story.
I think the most important aspect of sexual harassment is abusing your power… and therefore it’s more common with men abusing their power I think.
I think maybe that used to be true. However, more and more women are achieving positions of power, and some are not afraid to abuse that power. In either case, it’s disgusting and evil.
Oh, timely indeed, Bjorn. Love that last line.
I have heard it so much… and spent a fair amount of time thinking about it…
Sometimes, the grease needed to smooth a deal can be too costly (illegal and disgusting), whether we agree to pay the price or not.
Your mind works is wonderfully creative ways.
Oh it’s always costly when you go outside what’s acceptable…
💓
i guess every company policy is subject to different interpretations. it pays to be discrete. 🙂
Company policies can be difficult.
That was a unique take on the prompt, and very timely and relevant too.
It should always be relevant… independent of sex.
Why is client complaining to corporate HR? She could have declined the offer, instead she lodged a complain of sexual harassment! Is such a complaint even valid, because no undue favour was sought.
The client probably complained to some executive who made it a matter for HR… and trading business for sex is probably not what she told the executives.
The customer is always right, even when they’re not. That’s business, sadly.
Customer is king (or queen in this case)
Pretty creepy, nice turnaround with the genders. “The customer is always right” always seemed quite a dangerous thing…
I think it has to do with abusing your power… and that can happen with both genders.
Such a terrific take on the prompt. Very well done – the other side of the coin.
I wanted to make it clear that it has less to do about gender than abusing your power…
A creative take on the prompt. Sad side of harassment and false accusations.
Maybe it’s even more abusing your power.
Sadly, abuse of power is a serious problem in most parts of life.
Very well-told.
Thank you
Sad as it is men can be added to #metoo also. Interesting the way you were able to connect that to the prompt photo. Well done, Björn.
Isadora 😎
Not saying it’s so common (yet) but I expect it to grow….
It may be more common then we think except that men wouldn’t be willing to voice it. 😎
Powerful piece, Bjorn, difficult topic deftly handled
A topic that to me has more about power than sex
I have male friends who have been victims of sexual harassment and too often say nothing for fear of being ridiculed. I wonder if this one has spoken immediately after the event…
Customer is most definitely NOT always right.
I have heard of it too… the only case I’ve been myself were older men trying with me when I was younger.
Ugh. Poor you!
That’s taking it to the extreme.
Bit I wonder if it isn’t the reality out there!👌
It happens when there is difference in power.
👍
Not sure I’d want to work for a company that expected me to prostitute myself for their sake.
Me neither… but I’d rather leave by myself than being fired for a reason like that.
Sounds like his instincts were good in recoiling, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be believed. Part of the problem, when the man is not at fault, is the lack if formal process in my opinion.
Being summarily dismissed and deprived of your livelihood and reputation on a “he said/she said”, just because the company doesnt want to risk a scandal, or seem unsupportive of metoo type claims, is treating the accused with disrespect, just as you are disrespecting a legitimate victim of sexual harassment, when you silence him or her through intimidation or denying promotions etc.
I think its more likely that a dismissal like this will happen pusuant to a mere accusation,when employers are permitted to dismiss employees without cause, anyway. The imbalance of power is not only in the harassed/harasser dynamic, but in that of employee/employer.
And in the customer seller relationship…
True.
And don’t think it doesn’t happen. Excellent take.
Of course it happens….
Of course the customer is always right, just increase the price.
Then the customer goes elsewhere… you lose your bonus and your job… in a case like this you cannot win.
You’ve brought up a very interesting aspect with this story. Well told.
Thank you… just wanted to make a surprise.
Never happened to me either, I think it must go on but this side I suspect is not reported as much. Good piece
I think it’s a way to exercising power…
I am afraid this happens more then we would like to think. Great take on the prompt.
I hope it doesn’t … but who can be sure.
Recently, one of my male colleagues was dismissed for sexual harrassment, even thought there were no witnesses to corroborate the female accuser’s claim. HR took statements only from those who supported her; I was one of the few who supported him (as I knew him well). A timely story, and an excellent take on the prompt.
I know of a case too… another reason, but in the end he was cleared and the woman accepted the explanation.
I thought that was a Japanese thing. I’ve never run into it in real life, but I’ve read it in manga a few times.
I don’t know if it happened… but I experienced once with a sales person who was too flirty for my comfort.
As a former manager over a staff of fifty, I’ve seen this kind of thing play out. In every case the man is deemed guilty as soon as the accusation becomes public. Sometimes it might be 5 or 10 years after the incident before they decide to file a claim, but the result is always the same.
I think for sure men have done a lot of lousy things… but sometimes it’s more a matter of misunderstandings…
Some people do not do well with rejection
Nope
The woman scorned. You’ve done an excellent job with this. I can feel the ookiness of the situation. The situation out of the control of the narrator.
policies are always tricky
Oh no! Terrible behavior. She truely was a predator that one. All for a slick sale
What a way to learn the lesson. I’d be going into meetings in a straightjacket with videocam from this point onwards.