Florist In The 90's

As a high school student in the 90’s, I worked part-time at a local florist. There was a retired gentleman, also employed part-time that delivered arrangements. He was extremely nice, but liked to touch and hug a little more than I thought was comfortable, always giving me an eerie feeling that I could not pinpoint exactly what it was.

After several months of working with him, he told me how kind I was, leaned in to give me a hug, then aggressively, without warning, pulled me into his body and simultaneously tried to kiss me on my mouth. I pushed away in shock telling him he could not do that. It not only made me feel extremely embarrassed and uncomfortable, but made me wonder what I had done to make him think I would be accepting of

the behavior. He explained he meant nothing by it and was sorry that it offended me. I never told anyone about the run-in, always trying to avoid being around him or alone with him, yet within a few weeks, it happened again. This time I made it clear to him never, ever do that again and immediately went to the owner of the florist, telling her what had happened on both occasions. She was upset not only that it happened, but that I had not told her the first time.

Consequently, the owner of the florist took the matter seriously, addressing his behavior within five minutes of my confession.

However, she chose to discuss the allegations with him while in my presence. Not expecting to participate in the confrontation, I was once again shocked, embarassed, and rattled because minutes before, unwanted advances were made for a second time by a man nearly old enough to be my grandfather. Immediately, he was fired and I was mortified and torn, feeling somehow partially responsible. Granted, I was a naive 16 year old girl, that grew up sheltered, not grasping the magnitude of what had occurred or the possible ramifications for the florist. Unfortunately, I was the victim of sexual harassment, which is the unwanted behavior in a sexual manner perpetuated on another individual (Ferrell, Fraesch, Ferrell, 2011). In order to prove sexual harassment, three criterial for a hostile work environment must be met. Those criteria are unwelcomed advances, it alters the conditions of employment, and a reasonable person would find the behavior offensive (Ferrell, et al, 2011). Not only did each of the criteria apply in my case, but I was also underage and according to the law could not consent

regardless.

References

Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2013). Business ethics: Ethical decision making and cases [9th edition]. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning. Retrieved from https://www.betheluniversityonline.net/cps