Am I fired darling ?

overlawyered.com ^ | 4 23 04 | overlawyered.com

[freepatriot32]

Workers at the English National Opera have been banned from using the term of endearment "darling" to each other. "The policy, set out in a document called Dignity at Work, singles out the word 'darling' as part of a code of conduct which addresses workplace protocol. It tells employees: 'The use of affectionate names such as 'darling' may constitute sexual harassment.'". A grievance procedure is available for those who are made uncomfortable by hearing the word. ("'Darling' ban for opera workers", BBC, Apr. 22). A spokesman, however, said there was a grandfather clause: "Existing staff who call each other 'darling' can continue to do so but, if someone started here on Monday, they could not." ("'Darling' banned for new workers at English National Opera", Ananova, Apr. 22). "This is simply guidance for employees -- we are protecting ourselves and them," said spokesman Anthony McNeill. "We live in a litigious society." (AP/Andante, Apr. 22).

Posted by Walter Olson at April 23, 2004 12:39 AM | TrackBack

[freepatriot32]

so does this mean ga ga gabor is going to be sentencd to life in prison ? :-)

[VaMarVet]

I was born and raised in Baltimore, I guess I cannot use the term Hon anymore. Personally, if I were to do away with certain terms they would be dude, sport, partner, and slick.

[middie]

Most of the stuff on Overlawyered is either hyped beyond recognition of the truthful underlying facts or, simply never happened and thus fit the description of Urban Legend.

[Archangelsk]

OK, tiger.

[muawiyah]

I am offended. Not only that, I am offended and mortified.

[VadeRetro]

"Is 'Love' still allowed, Love? It's SO Michael Caine!"

[VaMarVet]

Thanks, bro. But they will never take away my french fries and gravy served up with a crab cake samwich.

[nuconvert]

How 'bout DAHLING?
Does this mean Arianna Huffington may be her cellmate? : )

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

"I'm bringing in a relief pitcher. You're out of the game, Darling, errr, Dear."

[inquest]

When I first heard that name, I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like for someone so named to be in the military. Boot camp must be especially fun.

[inquest]

Most of the stuff on Overlawyered is either hyped beyond recognition of the truthful underlying facts or, simply never happened and thus fit the description of Urban Legend.

Did you follow the links? This is real.

Britain is rapidly evolving into a totalitarian society, what with increased surveillance and truly bizarre restrictions on perfectly innocent behavior, which are obviously designed to keep people constantly on edge, and yes, harassed.

[Mears]

ZsaZsa and Eva Gabor would be horrified by this.

Is it me,or has the world gone nuts?

[drhogan]

the way that sexual harassment law has evolved in britain and the US is truly bizarre. there was an old black lady who worked in the cafeteria in the US capitol building who got into trouble for calling some young (jerk)staffer "hon" or something like that. he complained and almost got her fired.

[Publius6961]

Lighten up dude!

[VaMarVet]

Okay slim;-)

[bannie]

Holy Moly! Now the Verbal Police can hand out tickets!

[VaMarVet]

And no posting here by those that go by the monikers Chief, Sparky, Shorty, Bagadonuts, Red, Bubba, Dudette... This could very well get out of hand.

[VaMarVet]

Forgot Stilts...

[leadpenny]

Can I still say friggin' jarhead?

[mtbopfuyn]

But calling each other "*itch" and other four letter names is fine?