Report Instructor?

[EMS49393]

Oh my mistake, i read the original post wrong. Ok lets say this happend in a fire department, i havent entered one fire department where the F word wasnt used in every sentence or where there arent any sexual jokes

I just endured a month's worth of crude sexual jokes at my job. There is no place for it in a professional setting, period. Unfortunately my boss didn't see it my way, and I was terminated on Tuesday for complaining.

You take your chances with reporting it. Unfortunately, we don't have any rights, especially if the offender is an instructor or a boss.

 

[bstone]

I just endured a month's worth of crude sexual jokes at my job. There is no place for it in a professional setting, period. Unfortunately my boss didn't see it my way, and I was terminated on Tuesday for complaining.

You take your chances with reporting it. Unfortunately, we don't have any rights, especially if the offender is an instructor or a boss.

You're kidding. I am so, so sorry to hear this. It's unreal and insane. You need to get a lawyer and complain to everyone under the sun. Your lawyer can direct you to the EEOC and your state institutions to file a formal complaint. Termination for complaining about sexual harassment is common, unfortunately, but juries are sympathetic. So are newspapers.

 

[johnrsemt]

fight the termination: they will reinstate you with all back pay; (they won't even try to fight that mistake of theirs in court; very expensive and they will still lose).
work one day and quit (if you have another job); They have to pay back pay as long as you work one shift.

 

[LucidResq]

I dont want to be one of those "girls" who cant take a joke and causing trouble. Exspecially since the program just started....

Worse to be one of those girls who lets someone get away with sexual harassment.

I can see why this situation would make you uncomfortable... if something truly makes you uncomfortable enough to dwell on it and post about it on here, it's a good sign a line was crossed and something should be done. I'm not saying it in terms of "well, if it bothers you so much..." I'm saying your feelings are absolutely justified and understandable considering what was said, and action should be taken. Yes there are people that blow little things into big things, but that's actually pretty rare and you don't sound histrionic by any means. As a sane person, if you're feeling this way, someone almost certainly gave you good reason.

Perhaps this truly was an "oops" kinda thing, but I'm more inclined to think that this is something this guy keeps getting away with. It's just sooo bold and over the line.

 

[18G]

I believe in zero tolerance for sexual harassment at both the workplace and school and feel you are justified in reporting the incident. I don't think its something that should be left go. If your instructor was bold enough to say what he did to you then its just a matter of time before he say's something else inappropriate that keeps you feeling uncomfortable.

Sometimes subtle things get said which are considered crude humor or what not and it make for a good laugh which I get... but to be so direct and personal in the class room crosses the line in so many ways. If it were my daughter, girlfriend, sister, or wife, I would be really pissed.

 

[lampnyter]

And I have entered FDs where they were professionals and watched their language.

The days of the FD being a Boys Club are gone. Time to grow up. This sort of humor is ok when your with your own friends, but in an artificial environment like school or work it's absolutely prohibited.

I completely agree with you but i dont think most people where i live would because in the whole city and about 6 FDs there is i think only 1 female.

 

[spike91]

Be a (wo)man. Talk to him face to face, let him know it bothered you and that it wasn't appropriate. Depending on his response you should decide to report him or not. If you feel he is sincerely sorry and that it won't be an issue again, I'd leave it at that. Otherwise a report would be appropriate.

 

[slloth]

Keep posts appropriate.

Thanks for that ref!

OP-I would report it to the Instructors supervisor and the instructor. If you dont feel comfortable reporting to the instructor (which is totally understandable) I would report it. That is out of line and un professional. A decent company would let him go.

 

[emt seeking first job]

For the original poster:

If it bothered you enough to complain here, you perceived it as harassment.

They can not kick you out of the class.

Document it and complain to the school and the department of health.

The positive thing about the recession is there is always someone to replace an instructor but not always a student/customer....

 

[EMS49393]

If it bothered you enough to complain here, you perceived it as harassment.

They can not kick you out of the class.

Document it and complain to the school and the department of health.

The positive thing about the recession is there is always someone to replace an instructor but not always a student/customer....

No, but they can make her miserable and find a way to drum her out of class. I completely understand where this girl is coming from and I get why she might be hesitant to say anything to anyone about it.

I know it seems like there are laws and we have rights, but in all honesty, it's really a difficult thing to resolve and if it turns into a battle, you'll just be labeled for your entire career.

I went to my father about this, being a big business man with a lot of clout and experience, and he said: although it's wrong, it's unethical, it's illegal, women still just don't have any real means to fight these things. It's very sadly almost better to turn a blind shoulder to it. My mother agreed.

Remember your decision could haunt you for the rest of your career.

 

[Cohn]

It boils down to this- do we see EMS as something professional or do we see it as a hobby, a club, a sport.

If it's something professional then we accept absolutely zero sexual harassment, inuendo, lockerroom talk, etc. If it's a hobby or sport or a club, then we're not to be taken seriously.

There is zero tolerance and zero room for harassment. If you're a woman, black, minority or walk around with a hijab. The first word of harassment, especially coming from an instructor, needs to be dealt with swiftly and decisively- in the form of immediate termination and a state investigation.

Would you expect nurses or doctors to accept this sort of behavior in their schools or working environments?

obviously you don't know much nurses or doctors.

 

[Cohn]

You're kidding. I am so, so sorry to hear this. It's unreal and insane. You need to get a lawyer and complain to everyone under the sun. Your lawyer can direct you to the EEOC and your state institutions to file a formal complaint. Termination for complaining about sexual harassment is common, unfortunately, but juries are sympathetic. So are newspapers.

Yeah good luck getting another job somewhere else....

 

[goodgrief]

Choices Choices

Im not worried about getting kicked out of class, if they did that then I would sue them six ways to sunday and back again. Although Im not looking to go the lawyer way over this. I feel very confident in saying that if I do decide to go to the head of the program about what was said, there would be zero attacks against me on this.

last year during EMT school at the same college, I was holding C-Spine and my teammate goes she spends so much time on her knees during the day, We all laughed because I had fallen twice during lunch and knew that was what he was talking about. The instructor (different one from last week) didnt and went off, tore the team up, threaten to throw the guy out and was like that is completey unacceptable. So I'm not worried about the program director taking it out on me.


I just wasnt sure if I was over reacting to what was said. I've been in the fire houses, I work in EMT; like I said a joke between friends or a few of us at the station doesnt bug me. But then again I dont think anyone has ever made a joke about my chest.

I just felt that as an instructor he had no business talking about my chest in this particular scenario; but wasnt sure if I was just reading more into this. It wasnt like he asked for a sexual act, or said something about sex, but I still felt uncomfortable afterwards.

And sadly as a woman in this field you do have to weigh these things. If I say something, and it gets out in the firehouse (which it would) how does that affect my cinicals? I know if I do mention this and the instructor from last week talks about it, I can forget about getting hired with the county fire dept here because I will be one of those who cant fit in to the eviornment of the service.

I am not sure what I am going to do, but I am glad to know that Im not over reacting.

Thanks everyone for your advice. Will keep you posted about my decision.

 

[goodgrief]

True but

Oh my mistake, i read the original post wrong. Ok lets say this happend in a fire department, i havent entered one fire department where the F word wasnt used in every sentence or where there arent any sexual jokes

That is very true, but I can tell you as a woman, if a joke is made in front of you, they usualy will apolgize and feel you out for your comfort level. And respect it.

 

[Shishkabob]

There are two types--- quid pro quo, and the continual kind. This wouldn't be the quid pro quo kind, which only needs to happen once to justify "actual" punishment.

If it happens just once, and you don't ask them to stop, you really don't have a leg to stand on as it could be seen more as an off-color joke than actual harassment.

 

[medic417]

There are two types--- quid pro quo, and the continual kind. This wouldn't be the quid pro quo kind, which only needs to happen once to justify "actual" punishment.

If it happens just once, and you don't ask them to stop, there's really nothing you can do.

I agree but more importantly part of being an adult is trying to discuss with a person what they have done that hurts you as they may not even realize that they did anything wrong. IMHO he probably did not even think about it before he said it.

 

[lampnyter]

That is very true, but I can tell you as a woman, if a joke is made in front of you, they usualy will apolgize and feel you out for your comfort level. And respect it.

yea like i said, i would never ever say something like that to anybody but its what happens and unfortunatly there isnt much we could do about it. I hope things work out for you.

 

[Symbolic]

I agree but more importantly part of being an adult is trying to discuss with a person what they have done that hurts you as they may not even realize that they did anything wrong. IMHO he probably did not even think about it before he said it.

I'm with you on this. I would just buckle down, finish the class and move on. Its not like this guy is hitting on you or making advances. Didn't you say this happened like two weeks ago? Sorta a long time to go by without doing anything, then just deciding weeks later to file a complaint. I feel for both you and the Instructor In this situation, so I don't want to sound unsympathetic, but he likely just felt comfortable around you enough to joke around.

 

[bstone]

obviously you don't know much nurses or doctors.

I guess 10 years of working in hospitals, clinics and ambulances and being full-time engaged with doctors and nurses would cause me not to know much about nurses or doctors. /sarcasm

 

[bstone]

No, but they can make her miserable and find a way to drum her out of class. I completely understand where this girl is coming from and I get why she might be hesitant to say anything to anyone about it.

I know it seems like there are laws and we have rights, but in all honesty, it's really a difficult thing to resolve and if it turns into a battle, you'll just be labeled for your entire career.

I went to my father about this, being a big business man with a lot of clout and experience, and he said: although it's wrong, it's unethical, it's illegal, women still just don't have any real means to fight these things. It's very sadly almost better to turn a blind shoulder to it. My mother agreed.

Remember your decision could haunt you for the rest of your career.

I disagree with your father. It's not 1990 where sexual harassment was just beginning to be taken seriously. There are multiple federal and state agencies that will investigate. Not to mention civil litigation.