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Was it right to report someone?

41 replies

FemaleGuilt · 24/06/2023 14:53

Me married 25 years.
male coworker married 20 years +
Female coworker single divorced
public sector employees
Last year I reported a male co worker to our internal ethics board as they followed me home from work one time and sent me some inappropriate messages via messenger. Before the messages, in the course of my day to day job I would have to go to the office he worked in and would have a chat with him and also the other two people in the office (M&F). Just the usual niceties nothing remotely encouraging any kind of justification for the messages that followed. When I reported it I said I was ok with him being spoken to about his behaviour.

My job changed and we are still in the same building but I avoid him as much as possible, our paths cross maybe once every couple of weeks but we pretty much ignore each other. A woman from another office has come to work in my team to help colleagues with a new project, she’s in my department once a week for people to bring questions to.

The last couple of months he has been coming into my office for the lamest of reasons and always makes a beeline for her. She’s always saying how nice he is when he leaves, I say nothing. Then last week I was at another site for a meeting and when I was at lunch an old colleague that knows about my situation with him asked me if I knew he was having an affair with the woman.

I felt physically sick and the following day anonymously reported what I was told to the ethics board, but now I’m torn between whether I have done the right thing or not. I don’t know whether to leave it or see if I can withdraw the report. Why am I feeling guilty about his behaviour?

OP posts:
ILoveCookie · 24/06/2023 14:59

Two single people at work have started seeing each other, and you’ve reported them?
Is there a policy about not getting romantically involved with colleagues?

ThisHeatIsKillingMeOff · 24/06/2023 15:20

I don't think you should of reported them, clearly it's above board and he's not being creepy about it if she's willingly in a relationship in him.

Quveas · 24/06/2023 15:40

If they are having an affair then that is their business, not yours. You should not have reported it. That is vastly different from what happened to you.

ArbitraryHaddock · 24/06/2023 15:43

I don’t really know what business it is of yours, and I wouldn’t have acted that way, but I don’t think you can just withdraw the report and expect that to be and end to it.

FemaleGuilt · 24/06/2023 15:47

ILoveCookie · 24/06/2023 14:59

Two single people at work have started seeing each other, and you’ve reported them?
Is there a policy about not getting romantically involved with colleagues?

He’s not single.

OP posts:
Leftphalange100 · 24/06/2023 15:48

I dont really think that was your business if they're two consenting adults, sorry

FemaleGuilt · 24/06/2023 15:49

My reasoning was the pattern of behaviour. But it seems like I should have stayed out of it.

OP posts:
OwlBabiesAreCute · 24/06/2023 15:49

Unless there's a company policy re dating it's nothing to do with you or the company.

Star24009 · 24/06/2023 15:50

I got a conditional offer and all my references have been sent. I have a lot of sicknesses however, it was COVID and the other one was work-related stress from the manager not work-related. When I contacted the manager she said she need to speak to someone higher from HR. Any one has been through this? Can they decline this offer?

FemaleGuilt · 24/06/2023 15:51

I suppose it’s debatable whether you’re in the office to work or flirt.

OP posts:
madeofcheeze · 24/06/2023 15:54

You sound really overinvested. Maybe leave them to it? Why does it bother you so much.

OwlBabiesAreCute · 24/06/2023 15:58

FemaleGuilt · 24/06/2023 15:51

I suppose it’s debatable whether you’re in the office to work or flirt.

But not your debate to have!

ILoveCookie · 24/06/2023 16:08

Sorry, I have new glasses & misread.
Tbh I still don’t see it’s any of your business. It’s not any of managements business either unless there is a work policy about relationships with colleagues.

DaftyLass · 24/06/2023 16:10

Not your business

Lucyintheskywithadiamond · 24/06/2023 16:11

I think you were wrong to report him. I don’t fully understand your justification for reporting him neither.

FemaleGuilt · 24/06/2023 16:12

madeofcheeze · 24/06/2023 15:54

You sound really overinvested. Maybe leave them to it? Why does it bother you so much.

I think you’re right, the reaction I had to the messages surprised me. I thought it was the sort of thing that I would have laughed off but it really made me feel vulnerable at work and questioning myself when I hadn’t done anything wrong.

OP posts:
Lucyintheskywithadiamond · 24/06/2023 16:13

Additionally, what was your motive for reporting him? What did you want to achieve?

SirChenjins · 24/06/2023 16:15

I think you were wrong to report them - this is between the two of them. I can imagine you feel very uncomfortable having him in your office but I don’t think reporting an affair is appropriate - unless there’s a specific rule about relationships between co-workers not being allowed.

Does she know he’s married?

BreviloquentBastard · 24/06/2023 16:16

Obviously he's not a very nice person to be having an affair, but it's absolutely none of your business. Who are you to decide whether or not people are allowed to have relationships with colleagues?

Goldenboysmum · 24/06/2023 16:26

So you reported him, after hearing gossip and without any evidence?

I think you should have kept out of it unless it was affecting you!

Aprilx · 24/06/2023 16:29

FemaleGuilt · 24/06/2023 15:49

My reasoning was the pattern of behaviour. But it seems like I should have stayed out of it.

You were right to report your situation and to be honest, I am surprised he wasn’t sacked. But no you should not have reported this, there is nothing to report. Even if he is married / has a partner it is still not a work matter.

GoodChat · 24/06/2023 16:33

I don't know that it's a pattern if their relationship involves mutual feelings and yours with him didnt

FemaleGuilt · 24/06/2023 16:35

Lucyintheskywithadiamond · 24/06/2023 16:13

Additionally, what was your motive for reporting him? What did you want to achieve?

It’s like he’s not gained anything from being spoken to about his previous behaviour. He’s a predator. I wasn’t the first and this latest one won’t be the last.

OP posts:
SilverPeacock · 24/06/2023 16:41

It’s done now OP. Just forget about it. It’s not like they will do anything about it. I’m sorry you were targeted by him which must have been very unpleasant.

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 24/06/2023 16:51

Star24009 · 24/06/2023 15:50

I got a conditional offer and all my references have been sent. I have a lot of sicknesses however, it was COVID and the other one was work-related stress from the manager not work-related. When I contacted the manager she said she need to speak to someone higher from HR. Any one has been through this? Can they decline this offer?

@Star24009 You need to start your own thread if you want responses