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Show 10 Hilltop Times June 3, 1993 Serositivify cairo help Gomboholrosslni)elrslf ' workers. the speaker who used the term Ironically, "girls" was a female, and it was a male who confronted her. Innocent or unintentional comments can create an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. You don't have to take part in a conversation or be the victim of offensive remarks to be offended by certain comments. The male was correct to address this issue with the speaker; however, hindsight says he might have met with her privately, or in less crowded surroundings, rather than confront her in front of a group. It's difficult for people to admit they made a mistake, especially when the admission is in front of a group. Sometimes it's better to give someone the benefit of the doubt, rather than to publicly embarrass them. This won't negate the seriousness of the situation. It will, however, allow you the opportunity to address a sensitive issue respectfully. You must remember that an individual's reaction will vary according to the Unthinking comments can offend some and thereby hurt group, religion or sex. Such terms include insults, printed material, posters, visual material, signs, symbols or insignia. Their use constitutes arbitrary discrimination. morale or mission-effectiveneThe Department of Defense Human Goals of a group Proclamation states, "We must show respect " for the serviceman, the servicewoman and by Maj. B. Cabot West the civilian employee." Social Actions, Hanscom AFB, Mass. The Air Force chief of staff said, "Effeche issue of sexual harassment and sex tive use of our most valuable resource means a work place free of unlawdiscrimination is in the forefront of people ful discrimination." people's minds. It seems everyone is This sentiment is also echoed in the Elecbecoming increasingly concerned about the tronic Systems Center commander's policy professional and personal interactions beletter on sexual harassment, which states, tween men and women in and out of the work place and the appropriateness of "Allowing the pervasive effects of sexual harassment in any form is an affront to comments and behaviors. particular order and detracts from our focus on like to relate an incident that occurred good I'd at Hanscom to illustrate this point. the mission." A speaker addressing a group said, "I'd The bottom line, calling someone honey, like to take this opportunity to thank the girl, babe or boy, is offensive and will not be from for tolerated. secretarial the their pool help girls in preparing the reports." Although slightly altered, the scenario is The statement by itself is innocent real. We tell commanders, supervisors and individuals to address these issues head on, enough, no malice intended. No threats. and not to ignore them. The individual who However, an individual was offended by the words used by the speaker. Why, when the was offended by the speaker's comments intent was to recognize and praise people for publicly confronted the speaker about what their hard work, would someone be was perceived to be a demeaning and peroffended? sonally offensive statement directed toward The use of disparaging terms, intentional the female secretariesThe person who ad-- . or unintentional, are terms that degrade or dressed the comment was reprimanded beinfer negative statements about an individucause of the "tactless manner" in which he al's age, color, national origin, race, ethnic "corrected" the speaker in front of co the ss ' , 107 LL D 0 0 0 B4B jrv S?. This may seem like an insignificant issue, but it's not, especially to those who have felt offended, embarrassed, excluded or undervalued by someone's comments. We must also recognize that seemingly small, insignificant insensitivities can have a major impact on both an individual and unit morale, cohesion and, ultimately, performance and mission effectiveness. ,'TBAB Estates Bought g' Refrigerators $9000 with Warranty-Di- g Open Tues.-Sa- t. Washer E Dryer Sets Selection! 10:00-7:0- 0. Sold Used Appliances Kew & Used Furnitur8 Antiques Collectibles & "I 1 4 turn $19000 4) j - Crista Closed Sunday land Monday North Main Street We'll Help. WillYou? & Consignment Items Model Home Furniture Liquidation. High Quality Sofas, Dining Room Sets, Bedroom Sets . and much more! I Uorth American lied Cross situation. Sat American Red Cross agHflaH:4aMi:UI;i WHEREVER YOU ARE MM Lake JT- - nr TX 1 11 T T - we'll Help. WillYou? |