Work colleagues found photos from when I used to do pole fitness and are mocking me

Pole fitness is hard! I stopped after someone from here dragged me over reddit about how funny and ridiculous my pole photos are on FB. Because I’m fat (size 16/18) so it’s obviously hilarious
my pole class can’t guarantee 100% that I wouldn’t be in the background of any photos and I’ve been made that self conscious I stopped

There's nothing wrong with pole fitness, and it looks bl**dy hard work. Be proud of your athletic prowess.

Suggesting that you’re a stripper and that you could use your body to get more clients for the business is pretty blatant sexual harassment. Just go to HR, they’ll deal with it fairly swiftly. These people are just liabilities. Mentioning a hobby in the workplace does not mean people get to scour the internet for pics of you and bully you for them. Wtaf are these idiots on 🤣

Completely agree with pp’s who have said to report to HR. You have zero to be ashamed of - it’s a great fitness discipline (I deffo couldn’t do it!). They were completely out of order and I’m so sorry they did this to you - I would have been mortified too. Chin up - I think it’s awesome and HR should put them in their place for being unprofessional bellends.

I think inferring you’re a stripper would get that guy in hot water. I’d tell them they upset you and you find it odd that they searched for these images. You’re right reporting them would probably get nowhere but could be a good warning….but at what cost I guess? You have to work with them. Telling them yourself and saying if it continues you’ll report it might be less confrontational?

I agree.
It is really nasty and creepy.
On that basis I think you can definitely have a chat with HR as a colleague referenced your private life and clients.
Nasty stuff.
Calling you a stripper and asking have you informed work?
Appalling behaviour.
Sexual harassment.
I think HR needs to know about this.
I'm not surprised you are very upset.

@JadeyFlies sorry your colleagues made you feel like this. They sound immature and mean. Probably jealous too. I honestly don’t know whether I personally would report it even though you do have grounds to as their response was inappropriate and not a two way happy banter. If that’s my workplace for the foreseeable future m I personally would let it go as otherwise it will become a huge thing and will never slowly fade into the background. And if they bring it up again I’d just say at least I had the courage to get out my comfort zone and try something new and scary to me. Then I’d ‘banter’, maybe if any of you develop enough guts and courage, you’ll be able to achieve something more than being a cowardly sheep!

Really? If someone I worked with told me in passing that they did pole fitness 6+ years ago, there’s no way I’d go to the effort of going through multiple Facebook pages to find the correct instructor/group, and trawling through 6 years worth of posts just on the off chance I might catch a glimpse of my colleague in a bustier. I don’t think very many people at all would do that.

What an absolutely pathetic thing to do. If I were the OP, I’d be laughing at what a complete saddo this colleague was and asking if they had nothing more interesting to do with their evenings.

Don’t blame op for colleagues creepy bloody behaviour.

Gosh can you even imagine searching 6 years back to make a screenshot to humiliate someone at work. Top level freak behaviour. Bordering on sexual harassment actually.

Whatever you decide to do OP, I am full of admiration for anyone who does pole fitness. It’s amazing seeing the shapes you can make, and the sheer strength to do it too.

The op didn't find it funny though.
This is work, not the pub.
The way they behaved was really unprofessional.
Op is well within her rights to report them.

I would speak to HR and mention bullying and sexual harassment. You're there to do a job, not to be called a stripper. And how creepy are these people tracking down old photos of you. Wtaf?

I thought everyone knew that pole fitness is pole fitness and not stripping. Plenty of women in my old office did it and proudly shared videos of their achievements on social media and people were mostly impressed. I was anyway, it's a badass hobby and requires hard work if you want to be any good. Your colleagues suck, OP.

But it’s not a joke if OP isn’t laughing. Their actions and comments made the OP feel like she was being mocked. It doesn’t matter if they thought it was a joke, they are bullying her and it’s not ok. It’s not a group of lads taking the piss out of each other down the pub, they are at work and need to behave like adults and have some respect.

It’s odd if they deliberately sought out the photos of you, but I would have just laughed off the comments if it were me.

Pole fitness, not pole dancing.

I am sorry they are such arses. I am in awe of you for doing pole. The DC's old childminder did it and she was crazy fit. Hopefully your colleagues just had a moment of stupidity and they won't repeat it. x

Some jokes aren’t funny though.

Especially if it’s their intention to try and make the OP feel embarrassed.

Surely most adults know the definition of bullying?

Yes. Full on stalker behaviour. I would embarrass her right back and then report to HR.

Your colleagues sound like they have no life. If I found out a colleague used to do pole fitness I wouldn't even bat an eyelid. It's pretty commonplace now isn't it? I'd probably be impressed as it involves physical strength and fitness. Nothing to do with stripping!

I'd wait and see. If the comments continue tomorrow, then report it to HR.

They are just joking. They don’t actually think shes a stripper because she went pole dancing.

How did they know where to find the pics, did you tell them the name of the place you went to?

Don’t be daft. It’s sexual harassment. OP mentioned it in the context of fitness classes and they’re trying to turn it into something sleazy.

A colleague of mine does this. It looks absolutely amazing, and I'm very envious of her flexibility. I don't think anyone would say anything like this to her but if they did, I imagine she would have found the first bit funny - I certainly would if it had happened to me, though I wouldn't have had the bravery to do it in the first place. The best response to the blokes would have been to suggest they dress up like that in front of clients first, and if it worked you'd do it too.

But this is just by way of a different perspective - I do recognise that I'm very thick skinned and this is clearly something that's really upset you. So for you, what is a good outcome? Is it formalising a complaint, knowing that will have a long term effect on your relationships, but will underline the seriousness of how you're feeling about what they've said? Is it just making them understand that you're upset, and the depth of that? Or are you just hoping for support, or perspective (if not, apologies for my first para)?

The men sound like sexist creeps and the women sound jealous.

If they continue to mock you OP speak to your line manager, or someone you trust. Nasty bullies.

Report- they were out of order. Ballet classes involve leotards & tight fitting clothes, as does ballroom dancing, swimming, athletics etc. these are the type of guys that yell at female joggers.