If a Lead Person, comes into your cubical and tells everyone that a certain person doesn't have any panties on. Do you feel this is appropriate in the job place?

See, this is one of those strange things, where I know what I’m supposed to say, but say something else because I’m an odd weirdo.

Obviously, I am supposed to say that it’s not ok, that this person has to set an example and it’s immature and blah blah blah, however, I really think it depends if it’s true or not, and what the context is.

If it’s not true then it is not ok no, but if it is true then it’s just a statement of fact. If as well as being true it’s a woman we are talking about, and she is hot and/or easy, then it’s their duty to inform me. If it is true, and she is both hot and easy and has been giving me looks behind my back all day, it would be a crime to not tell me.

I disagree with @poisonedantidote – it’s never okay to discuss someone’s underwear in the workplace. Period.

Some work communities are very close and can joke around like that. If you overheard, or were told this and you didn’t want to hear it, simply explain to that person that you don’t like those things I guess.

Kind of a loaded question. I’m wondering how you got everyone in your cubicle :P

In a corporate environment it’s amazing what you can get away with in some areas and equally amazing how quickly you can get yourself fired in others. If the person who did or didn’t have panties wants to complain, the lead could definitely be in trouble.

It’s inappropriate, and there’s no real justification for it, whether they’re in charge of someone or not.

If you were offended, maybe handle it directly with the person who said it? If you’re not comfortable speaking to them, it’s definitely something you could take to HR or further up the ladder. Just be prepared for it to be a bigger deal than expected.

Depends on the workplace. As a female, I’ve worked in setting almost exclusively populated my men several times, mostly in small, close-knit companies. Aside from outright touching me inappropriately, I wasn’t quick to take offense at sexually suggestive joking. If I were uncomfortable with it, I’d say so. If that type of behavior didn’t stop at that point, then I’d say it was inappropriate.

Since when did it become mandatory that a person wear underwear? I think the lead persons could do with a lesson in ‘minding his own business’!

Whether or not a certain person is properly attired should be addressed by the dress code and Lead Person will be best served by handling this matter professionally. Lead Person runs the risk of offending several people with his/her behavior:

Underwear person: Lead person is acting inappropriately if the information is true and he/she didn’t handle it directly per the dress code. If not true, lead person is wasting time in the workplace and stirring up trouble. If underwear person is a minority or female, Lead Person could get in a lot of trouble.

Listener; Lead Person is not engendering respect from coworkers. In addition, if the Listener is offended by Lead Person’s comments and behavior he/she could also be in trouble if anyone complains.

What was the person’s intent in telling others about this? Was it just a juicy tidbit of information, or was it a call for suggestions about how to handle the situation? In any case, I don’t think underwear should be discussed in the workplace, except if it’s in relation to dress code.

As a person in authority, the Lead shouldn’t be gossiping about someone’s underwear (or lack thereof). If (s)he was looking for advice on how to broach the topic with the commando, (s)he would have been better off speaking to a HR representative in private.

okay with me, but technically it is sexual harassment.. look it up at EEOC.

I’m having a hard time coming up with a situation in which it would be appropriate to mention a coworker’s underwear/no-underwear situation — and that’s including the scenarios like “A unicorn came in and stabbed her in the crotch with his horn” or “A mobster shot her and we could have saved her if she had been wearing panties that could have been used as a tourniquet, but she wasn’t, so she died”. So probably not.

@papayalily made me smile.

Hmmm…if it’s not “Commando Tuesday”,then it should be reported immediately!
If someone pointed that out to me,I would ask them why they care,and keep asking them that until they get the hint and STFU.

@seazen Well, I try ;)

Obviously the lead needed other witnesses to corroborate his testimony before approaching HR.

I don’t really give a shit where it happens, whether it’s at work or at some party. If you’re making the person feel uncomfortable by telling everyone they’re not wearing panties, then to me that’s wrong.