Posted by RadioActive  Yesterday 7:13 pm | #1 |
Former Blue Jays catcher Gregg Zaun hasn't been on SportsNet in almost a decade after reports of his treatment of women at the cable outlet became public.
Now Zaun admits he was the architect of his own demise and says he sincerely regrets his actions, even if they were exaggerated by those who wanted to see him gone.
"Zaun expressed disappointment that he did not have better judgment in what he called “flirting” with female coworkers at SportsNet, but added, “I never put my hands on anybody. I’m not that kind of guy.”
He says his post-game career has been ruined and he can no longer get a job working in TV.
"And it’s my fault. It’s absolutely my fault. There are certain topics of conversation that don’t belong in the workplace. And it’s funny, the biggest mistake that I’ve made is thinking that because a lot of the conversations and exchanges were initiated by females in the workplace that they were somehow OK. That I was somehow justified in participating in those conversations."
Former SportsNet studio analyst Gregg Zaun: ‘Life ruined’ after being fired over sexual harassment allegations
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Posted by Saul Yesterday 8:19 pm | #2 |
I don't know the Zaun case, nor is my comment meant to directly apply to it. But it does occur to me that maybe the problem in the workplace isn't so much the comments as it is how the comments are made. Are they overly persistent? Do they somehow reflect and agitate a power imbalance? Are they teasing but with clear kind intent rather than being a negative tease? Is the language appropriate? Do the parties know each other well enough, and is the working relationship solid enough, for flirting or other such comments? It does require an element, at least, of empathy for other people, as well as a sense of what's appropriate in a workplace social setting. Is the 'perpetrator' - and I use the word loosely - truly an asshole or just thick as a brick?
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Posted by mace Today 7:47 am | #3 |
Saul wrote:
I don't know the Zaun case, nor is my comment meant to directly apply to it. But it does occur to me that maybe the problem in the workplace isn't so much the comments as it is how the comments are made. Are they overly persistent? Do they somehow reflect and agitate a power imbalance? Are they teasing but with clear kind intent rather than being a negative tease? Is the language appropriate? Do the parties know each other well enough, and is the working relationship solid enough, for flirting or other such comments? It does require an element, at least, of empathy for other people, as well as a sense of what's appropriate in a workplace social setting. Is the 'perpetrator' - and I use the word loosely - truly an asshole or just thick as a brick?
Well said Saul. Where I am employed there are customers and fellow employees I would never flirt with or tell politically incorrect jokes because I don't know them other than to say hello. Others, I interact with on a regular basis and have got to know their personalities. They think, as I do, flirting [respecting boundaries without touching] is harmless fun. As for politically incorrect jokes, photos etc. the reaction is usually laughter, that's awful, more laughter. Bottomline. When in doubt, DON'T!
