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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Inappropriate request at Work - AIBU?

244 replies

GameChange123 · 15/08/2019 17:09

A colleague is leaving our team. Received an email from some colleagues about a collection - no problem.

I was surprised that they also asked colleagues in the team to provide a photo "au natural" to create a souvenir calendar for the person leaving. Apparently not showing anything rude but "you can show as much or as little skin as you want as long as we don't actually see anything rude and it's a bit 'cheeky'"

Shock

I find this grim on a number of levels and given there are 10+ people in the team there is going to be some pressure for everyone to participate.

I don't think it is appropriate and could really use the hive mind of Mumsnet to give me a steer on what to do/ how to respond to these CFrs.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Jemima232 · 15/08/2019 17:48

They mightn’t be offended by it, but why the fuck would they want it?

I confess I wondered that, too.

DrierThanANunsNasty · 15/08/2019 17:49

@Jemima232 I fully belly laughed at that Grin

ysmaem · 15/08/2019 17:51

Oh hell no. Tell them you find it inappropriate and say no. I agree with a PP, forward the email to the HR department

DarlingNikita · 15/08/2019 17:52

Fucking weird.

I'd just email 'Have put £xx in the collection. I'll pass on the photo.' and leave it. If anyone pushes you, talk to HR.

FoxFoxSierra · 15/08/2019 17:52

Wtf?? Are you sure they're not winding you up?

SparklyMagpie · 15/08/2019 17:53

😂😂😂😂

I can't help think of the episode of the IT crowd where they do the nerd calendar

This is crazy 😂

origamiunicorn · 15/08/2019 17:55

Feel like I've teleported back to the 70s 😬

LittleDoritt · 15/08/2019 17:55

I work for a theatre company and everyone would think this was hilarious. So not completely insane of them to have suggested it.

WarmestRegards · 15/08/2019 17:56

This reply has been deleted

This has been been removed by MNHQ for privacy reasons.

Alconleigh · 15/08/2019 17:58

Surely this can't be real?! I'm now thinking of the sexy geeks calendar in the IT Crowd......which went down well 😂

Drum2018 · 15/08/2019 17:58

I bet the person leaving is delighted to be getting away from such an inappropriate working environment.

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 15/08/2019 18:00

Why would this person want nude photos of her colleagues? Confused

Who wants that?

Ellie56 · 15/08/2019 18:02

I'm very glad that when I left work nobody came up with this idea for a leaving present.

Some of my ex colleagues looked bad enough with their clothes on. A calendar of them with all their bits hanging out doesn't bear thinking about. Shock

Bumply · 15/08/2019 18:02

Naked calendars are the sort of thing that's done for charity/laughs by a community that know each other really well and a large enough group that 12 is a subset of the whole so no pressure on those who don't want to participate.
I don't see that applying in this work environment as a gift for another worker, and I sure as hell cant imagine the recipient appreciating the result.

TremblingFanjo · 15/08/2019 18:04

What?
I can't imagine wanting photos of ANYONE I have ever worked with - even clothed.

Do you work in advertising?

LittleAndOften · 15/08/2019 18:05

This is NUTS.
No. Fuck off. And no again.
These are colleagues, not mates making something funny for a 40th Birthday. Is the bloke whose bright idea it was nominating himself as photographer, perchance?

Doobigetta · 15/08/2019 18:05

Did you say a man and a woman came up with the idea between them? I bet they’ve got the hots for each other and this is a sneaky and elaborate ruse to give them an excuse to exchange naked photos.
I doubt HR would see it as a good excuse.

steff13 · 15/08/2019 18:05

I can't help think of the episode of the IT crowd where they do the nerd calendar

I thought of that too.

I cannot fathom how anyone could think this was appropriate.

Vasya · 15/08/2019 18:06

How absolutely bizarre!

I would respond saying 'Apologies but I don't feel very comfortable with this idea but am happy to contribute to the collection'. You don't need to explain or justify yourself. But I would let your colleagues know you aren't participating if you can - some of them probably also feel uncomfortable and would be empowered by your refusal.

BlueJava · 15/08/2019 18:08

So I think there are two ways to play this - 1) says it's not acceptable and refer to HR. 2) take a weird photo of yourself looking a fright (but fully clothes - legwarmers, dressing gown, scarf, hat or similar - and send that. That way you haven't participated in the stupid au natrel thing but neither have you been the one to go to HR!

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 15/08/2019 18:09

I bet they’ve got the hots for each other and this is a sneaky and elaborate ruse to give them an excuse to exchange naked photos.

They can just do that with their phones! Grin no need to involve Janet from accounts!

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 15/08/2019 18:10

That's crazy.

But I would either send a pic of hand or foot if you decide not to ask them what type of glue they're on.

ICouldBeSomebodyYouKnow · 15/08/2019 18:10

OP, I'm surprised you had to seek a second opinion, but thanks for giving us all a laugh anyway.

And just for the record, I agree it's grim!

ittakes2 · 15/08/2019 18:10

This is terrible - take a photo of your cheek and give them that (face cheek that is). I bet others not happy so have a quiet chat in the staff room and ask what others think.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 15/08/2019 18:12

I’m not sure if I’m more intrigued by the sort of person who would want a nude calendar of their work colleagues or the sort of person who thinks one is a good idea for a present.

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