Suspension Sends A Needed Message For Crackdown Remember That Nothing Is Truly Private At Work.

Respect. That’s the word to keep in mind as you ponder the suspension of county worker Jim Cotter. He was sent home, without pay, for five days because he had taken part in a conversation that turned inappropriate.

Critics say: The suspension is overkill. It’s going too far. Enough of this political correctness stuff. The men thought they were having a private conversation about women getting “knocked up.” They shouldn’t be punished for “guy talk.” And why are women so darned sensitive anyway? But these arguments fail to acknowledge several realities of the modern workplace.

The first is the issue of respect. Workers won’t ever get in trouble for sexual harassment at work if they simply respect others. Respect their differences, their sensitivities, their unique talents and contributions.

The second reality is that nothing is truly private at work. Employers can read your e-mail, eavesdrop on your conversations. Employers who pay your salary have the right to set the rules. One writer once said that all people have a “public life, a private life and a secret life.” At work, you dwell in your public life.

So the guys at the fairgrounds thought they were having a private conversation. They weren’t. If they wanted to gossip about women being “knocked up” and about the sexual lives of others, they should have waited until after work. Talked about it over some beers. Yes, people still are entitled to talk about anything they please with one another - but not at work.

And this isn’t just a “guy thing.” Women can be as raunchy and as inappropriate as men. They are entitled to those kinds of conversations with one another - but not at work.

So Cotter will lose five days of pay. Sometimes, it takes pain to change behavior. The county’s action also will send this message to other workers: You don’t engage in inappropriate conversations at work, no matter who might or might not hear. And if you do, it will cost you.

In the end, it will save money for everyone if employers crack down on incidents such as the one at the fairgrounds. Sexual harassment settlements can cost big bucks.

Respect. That’s all it takes. It’s that easy - honest.

, DataTimes MEMO: See opposing view under the headline: Cotter’s suspension simply goes too far

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