I was just suspended for "pulling my pants down" - ???

[tomreedtoon]

I returned to my overnight job tonight (TV engineering job) to discover I was off the work schedule. One of the bosses in attendance pulled me aside and told me something that floored me. He claimed that two people on two different occasions had seen me "pulling my pants down." They had inferred that I was doing something sexually inappropriate.

To begin with, I don't have the time to do anything sexual. I barely have time for bathroom breaks. For another thing, I am bothered by the fact that someone would see this and, instead of mentioning it to me, they'd complain to a boss. This is far more important than my statement that I don't do inappropriate things.

This was combined with another complaint about me (which is work related, but which other people can testify is not my fault) and the result was a suspension...with pay. I expect to have to go in some time in the next day or so and repeat my personal defense.

Sorry to clog the forum with this, but I just find it incredible that this would happen.

[progmom]

1. so the obvious question is

....did you pull your pants down?

[tomreedtoon]

2. No, I did not.

I admit to pulling my pants UP. I have lost weight recently, and my pants slip. Perhaps I should start wearing suspenders?

[knowbody0]

3. can you find out who did this to you?

[tomreedtoon]

7. No, and I understand why.

If I really WAS a sexual harasser, I might wish to take vengeance on whoever did this to me. So of course they remain anonymous.

However, I did tell my boss that I would be glad to explain the situation to anyone who complained against me, and if I had done anything to offend them, would apologize in person.

This is the first time I have ever been accused of anything like this, in over 20 years of employment. The thing that shocks me is that this happened when I returned from vacation, without any indication that this sort of thing was to have happened.

[LisaL]

13. How far down do these pants slip?

Maybe it's time to buy new pants. I am just saying...

[ohio_liberal]

14. Not to be gross...

...but (since you lost weight and all) is it possible your butt crack might've been hanging out your pants when you bent over or something?

[LisaL]

16. Yep, nobody wants to see butt cracks at work.

Maybe your coworker confused your loose pants with you pulling them down?
If so, buy appropriate size pants.

[tomreedtoon]

18. In fact, I haven't bought pants, and need to.

I have not bought any clothes for myself in the last year or so. And I have been walking and have lost weight. It may be as simple a matter as that. And yes, I'll offer to have my pants tailored to fit if that will resolve the situation.

[LisaL]

19. Explain this to your boss and hopefully it will be o'key.

[Warren DeMontague]

4. Sounds like someone has a problem with you

that's not related to your pants.

I'd also invest in a belt.

[tomreedtoon]

11. If it is, I expect someone to explain it to me.

I don't try to anger other people at me. I've gone out of my way to be nice to my employer and my fellow workers. If someone has a problem, they can bring it to me and I'll try to resolve it. If this was done for some sort of vengeance, I hope to have it figured out and have it resolved peacefully.

[Kingshakabobo]

5. That's the problem with things like this......

if you did in fact "pull your pants down" while goofing off.

The humor doesn't travel well in to the management office.

Also, I've seen employees who were taking part in the silliness turn on a co-worker months later after he/she develops an axe to grind.

[tomreedtoon]

9. No time to "goof off."

I don't do juvenile jokes like "mooning" people. And I am really, seriously, too busy when I'm at work to engage in that kind of nonsense.

If this is a vendetta of some kind, I will simply explain my case to management as sincerely and honestly as I can. I expect the matter to be resolved in my favor. If it isn't, I'll find a job where there are not so many people out to cause trouble.

[B Calm]

6. Get revenge,, There are web sites devoted for getting revenge!

[tomreedtoon]

10. Revenge requires digging two holes.

One for your enemy and one for you.

I am known at work for being a cooperative, easy-going guy who is willing to put himself out a little to help the other guy. If someone is threatened by that, it's not my fault.

[PretzelWarrior]

8. maybe the "suspension" is a subtle clue for you

to buy suspenders.

just sayin...

[steely]

12. I wonder if it'd be worth contacting a lawyer.

It sounds like a pretty off-the-wall accusation - might want to get your past reviews / recognitions in order too. Good luck with this shit.

[tomreedtoon]

15. Thanks. I hope it won't be necessary.

I hope this matter can be resolved without a court case. I HAVE called in my Union rep (who can also testify about my work load, since he works the shift after me) and I believe my union will stand behind me.

Sometime tomorrow I expect to go in for a meeting, if the big boss's schedule can clear it. I'll state my case with my union rep by my side, and hopefully that will be it.

[Zorbuddha]

17. This is reverse harassment

no pun intended

[spacelady]

20. This is not about what you have been accused of, this is about

someone who has cause for a vendetta and you may or may not be aware of the circumstances surrounding this situation. I have been in precisely this scenario, you must fight against this in a way that is within your rights, for example, proof of wrongdoing and how your job handles infractions. Were you given a verbal warning? Are you being given due process? You have the right to know what is in your personnel file. And so on...you may have so far enjoyed a loose and free situation at work, but now it is all business.

[tomreedtoon]

22. I will handle this honestly and forthrightly.

I intend to have my shop steward with me at the time I speak to management. I will also explain calmly that, if someone has a complaint against me, I will be glad to hear it and deal with it fairly.

I did NOT receive a verbal warning about anything. I returned from a week-long vacation to discover this happened. This is also the first time that I have ever had anything like this happen to me.

I do know that my job evaluations have been perfect for years. I have always been known to be cooperative.

The only instance (recently) has been with a news reporter whose live shots have had trouble. Another engineer (who is my shop steward) can testify about that trouble and explain that I am not sabotaging anyone, and that he has had similar trouble in the same instance. All I can do is present the facts and be honest.

In a way, it's similar to Internet spamming. I only talk to this reporter over the phone. That's an impersonal way to address difficulties. I would be glad to speak to him face to face and explain the difficulties involved at my end, and emphasize that I am not "goofing off" or going after him personally.

[spacelady]

24. Hell of a way to come back from vacation; your former evaluations

will be a valuable resource. This has the aroma of a set up that has little to do with you per se, and more to do with the internal dynamics of management gone haywire. Keep calm, sounds like you are on the right track and you have the right to employment without harassment.

[moondust]

21. I've been smeared at work before.

It was either some (reasonably incompetent) 20-somethings who wanted to BS all day rather than get any work done or it was the (reasonably impotent) administrator whose department was in a state of total collapse much to my dismay. Or both. I never knew for sure but read the tea leaves and soon moved on.

[tomreedtoon]

23. By the way, thanks, everyone, for your responses.

I just got this information a few hours ago, when I walked in, expecting to return to work. I was confused and upset, and I know no action can be taken until sometime tomorrow.

Your responses have helped me get through the emotional turmoil of this. Most of my friends are currently asleep, although I did talk to a friend across the country in California (who was horrified and traumatized). But it's you guys who have helped the most.

Thanks. I know that if I were to post this on a right-wing or Republican site, I wouldn't have gotten a whit of sympathy from anyone. You guys are the best.

[Maddy McCall]

25. Kick

HAHAHAHA!

[tjdee]

26. I'm sorry---that is a pretty incredible thing.

I'm sure you didn't expect to have to deal with that today--like you have nothing else to worry about, right?

Sorry....hope things work out.