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Original poster

Topless calendar at work.

18 replies

JockTamsonsBairns · 01/10/2014 12:02

I've been doing some work as a self employed sub-contractor over the past few months for a rural estate. Privately owned, and no HR dept. I've just been to the maintenance department's office, and was quite shocked to see a calendar on the wall featuring topless women. I'd assumed this was at least frowned upon, if not illegal? Not sure if I'm being naïve or not, it just seems so inappropriate in a work setting. If it's relevant, the maintenance team is all male, and I am only in their office area occasionally to pick up and return equipment.

Is there anything I can say or do about this? If I was a direct employee, I'd have no hesitation in asking for it to be removed - but I'm hoping to earn the contract again for next year, and don't want to create an issue if it's a perfectly legal thing to do.

I'm going back to work now, but will answer any replies later when I can.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:

thetoysarealiveitellthee · 01/10/2014 12:20

Im not sure TBH. I dont think its illegal but I think they would be obliged to remove it if it caused offence to someone.

Having worked in similar environments I can tell you with reasonable certainty that if you do say anything you probably wont get the contract again as you'd be labelled a misery or similar.

My opinion on these is they are just pictures of boobs for sad men and not worth kicking up a fuss over in your situation. You could always plaster your office with hunky fireman as a bit of a dig?

InfinitySeven · 01/10/2014 12:25

Oof, this is difficult.

I'm fairly sure that it's not illegal, but they'd need to remove it if it was causing offence.

Usually, I'd say to mention it, and that any decent employer would then remove it. As you're a contractor, though, I think your card would be marked as soon as you did mention it, and you'd be very unlikely to win the continued contract.

How often do you go to the office? Is it infrequent? Or do you go often and they've just put it up?

flowery · 01/10/2014 13:03

It's certainly not illegal, but it's not particularly sensible, as if someone were to take offence they could complain and there is the potential for a legal claim, particularly if it's part of a culture of harassment/sexism that people are subjected to.

Having said that, as someone who visits clients occasionally, I wouldn't ask them to take it down for my benefit, assuming I wasn't actually being harassed or anything. I would just allow it to form part of my opinion of the client though, and if it was part of a culture of sexism/misogyny etc I would probably reconsider working with them.

If it was in an area accessed by the public/other external people I would advise them to take it down, and I would certainly do so if there were female employees there. But I would be advising them to do so on a professional basis, ie it's not sensible from an HR/legal point of view to have it up. I wouldn't be doing it on the basis of it offending me personally.

Do the staff treat you with respect generally? Is it just the calendar that bothers you, or is it indicative of a wider problem?

Original poster

JockTamsonsBairns · 01/10/2014 17:15

Thankyou so much for all your replies. In response to some of the queries - the office is not accessed by any members of the public, it is for the sole use of the maintenance team. I have been working there since May, and need to go in there perhaps twice a week, so not frequently at all. In fact, I only saw it this morning for the first time as, up til now, I have only had to go as far as the cupboard by the entrance door - the calendar is pinned up on the main wall.

To that end, it's not the actual seeing of the calendar that I find offensive. It's the fact that I am working alongside men who are viewing quite sexually explicit pictures during their working day. I have to say, however, as the only woman in an all-male environment, I have been treated very respectfully and indeed, have an excellent working relationship with all of them. So, not in any way indicative of a wider problem of sexism or misogyny at work.

I was rather hoping I'd be told that this was in contravention of equality legislation, as then I'd be able to informally suggest its removal without casting myself as a miserable trouble maker. I'm desperately keen to win this contract again for next year, and fairly confident of doing so. It's not particularly skilled work, but very well paid, and I have the flexibility to work around family commitments. Like gold dust really, so I don't want to rock the boat unnecessarily.

Thanks again for your input.

OP posts:

EBearhug · 01/10/2014 21:07

Have you asked them? If you're getting on okay with them, could you just ask if they'd mind taking it down? No need to go on about how sexist and disrespectful they all are, just a question.

Also did you notice whether it had changed over to October? I mean, is it actively used? There are a few calendars round our office (not topless, as that would be against our code of conduct), and some get updated every month, and others are still showing March or July or whatever.

yummumto3girls · 05/10/2014 00:02

It is an unwise thing for any employer to knowingly allow any form of discrimination or harassment to go on, which is what this is, if it offends you. However sometimes we need to take a pragmatic view of these things, I don't think it's worth rocking the boat over if, in all other respects, you are treated respectfully. Can you not mention it to someone in a joking way "I thought putting calenders up like that went out with the dark ages" it would make a point in a non-confrontational way. Otherwise I would just leave it.

Pancakeflipper · 05/10/2014 00:05

I work in a very male environment and once sent to deal with a case there was a topless calendar. O e evening on my own with the said calendar I made little bikini tops out of sticky labels.

It was never mentioned by the others.

BerylStreep · 05/10/2014 00:14

Pancake - you beat me to it. I was going to suggest sticking on warm woolly jumpers.

Pancakeflipper · 05/10/2014 00:18

Jumpers.... that's a way better idea than just a nipple covering. Excellent Betty.

Pancakeflipper · 05/10/2014 00:19

I mean Beryl... ahem

juneybean · 05/10/2014 00:23

Would you feel differently if it was topless men?

ChippingInLatteLover · 05/10/2014 00:29

You have been working there a few months & it's the first time you have seen it...

They are treating you well.

Really - is it that much of an issue?

Also, It's the fact that I am working alongside men who are viewing quite sexually explicit pictures during their working day it's a topless calendar, not porn running on a screen. I wouldn't call a topless calendar 'sexually explicit'.

It's a topless calendar, they probably all have a look at it each month as it's turned over then barely notice it the rest of the time.

Mountain - molehill.

BerylStreep · 05/10/2014 08:08

ChippingIn - I would object to it in my workplace (and it wouldn't be tolerated in the first place).

I think to say the men barely (pun?) notice it most of the time is missing the point a bit. It sets the tone for a sexist culture, and I can't envisage any situation where a man's need to get some nipple tittilation in the work environment trumps a woman's right not to feel intimidated by it.

So no, I don't think OP is making a mountain out of a molehill, but I do think she is in a difficult situation because she is a contractor, not an employee, and as others have said, take a pragmatic approach.

ChippingInLatteLover · 05/10/2014 11:25

The thing is Beryl, its not really 'in her workplace'. It's in their workplace which she goes into once or twice a week and not usually right into. In all the months she has been there, this is the first time she has seen it. The men there have been lovely to her & treated her with respect, so I just don't see it as a big deal and certainly not one to rock the boat over. The OP doesn't seem bothered by it, more the principle that it shouldn't be there.

I have been treated very respectfully and indeed, have an excellent working relationship with all of them. So, not in any way indicative of a wider problem of sexism or misogyny at work

I was rather hoping I'd be told that this was in contravention of equality legislation, as then I'd be able to informally suggest its removal without casting myself as a miserable trouble maker

I just don't 'get' why if something isn't actually causing a problem, someone needs to 'do something about it' just because.

Pancakeflipper · 05/10/2014 17:25

Take it down and see if anybody says anything.

Genvonklinkerhoffen · 11/10/2014 15:59

It's actually classed as sexual harassment. The navy had a huge case about this a few years ago to do with cleaners. If it offends you, you should ask for it to be removed. If they don't remove it then you have a legal case against them.

I'm not suggesting that this is the best way to proceed. Just letting you know.

Genvonklinkerhoffen · 11/10/2014 16:00

citizens advice

EATmum · 16/10/2014 23:21

In my first job after school I worked as a secretary for a firm that produced their own such calendars and posters. Even as a reasonably naive 18 year old in the early nineties - and in a working environment where I wasn't even allowed to wear trousers, which is hard to believe now - I found this offensive so used the corporate logo stickers as an editing device. Sad that 20+ years later it's still necessary.

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