Posted on 12/23/2012 9:26:45 PM PST by NKP_Vet
After working as a dental assistant for ten years, Melissa Nelson was fired for being too "irresistible" and a "threat" to her employer's marriage.
"I think it is completely wrong," Nelson said. "I think it is sending a message that men can do whatever they want in the work force."
On Friday, the all-male Iowa State Supreme Court ruled that James Knight, Nelson's boss, was within his legal rights when he fired her, affirming the decision of a lower court.
"We do think the Iowa Supreme Court got it completely right," said Stuart Cochrane, an attorney for James Knight. "Our position has always been Mrs. Nelson was never terminated because of her gender, she was terminated because of concerns her behavior was not appropriate in the workplace. She's an attractive lady. Dr. Knight found her behavior and dress to be inappropriate."
(Excerpt) Read more at gma.yahoo.com ...
We had a woman complain about a guy using 'bad words' ~ she won an early sexual harrassment complaint at USPS headquarters.
She then discovered that no one ~ and that included other women ~ would speak outloud in her presence.
We had about 60 people in that organizational element at that time.
She eventually moved on to some other job. I remember, though, that after I hadn't seen her around maybe 15 years ~ could have even been 20 years ~ she ran into me in a different office and tried to make small talk and be friendly.
I'd almost forgotten why no one would speak around her, but my memory returned quickly so I didn't.
Although that was a large organization, and the postal lady won, she lost, but that was because she worked in a small office. Everyone realized there was only one way to protect themselves from this sort of thing ~ total silence!
I was thinking of the dental lady's dilemma ~ there really wasn't much she could do beforehand that would be considered sociable, and certainly nothing that would be conducive to a suitable working relationship with anybody.
Probably best she got fired.
Probably best she got fired.
yeah, maybe you are right. There also appears to be more to this story than I originally thought if she was also sending texts about her sex life, or whatever, back to the Dentist.
Seems I may have to agree with you on this. Thanks for all the info you shared, it really helped clear things up!
There is something in that guy’s eyes. I don’t like that look, especially given that it’s a casual photo. I’d say that she’s not the only irresistible woman he knows.
That there was funny.
Drill, baby, drill. Ha!
the judge’s opinion and the complaint suggest she was being inappropriate in her behavior or dress. No modest woman in scrubs is “irresistible”...
but some dental assistants wear “uniforms” and those can be tight in the rear and low in the front.
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