I guess it depends on the kind of job and environment. If guys in bars can't flirt - that would be just wrong.

On the other hand, I don't want my boss to flirt with me or every single other female in the office. He most definitely repeatedly steps over the line and it makes half the women in the office extremely uncomfortable. He's been spoken to on a regular basis and he tries hard not to do it, but eventually he'll revert back to his old self.

We have to do annual sexual harrassment trainings and I was shocked when I did my last one, cause I am guilty on many accounts. Sexual harrassment is not only to ask for sex in lieu of a promotion. It is anything that would other co-workers make uncomfortable. Based on their religion, background, upbringing, ethnicity, things can make one person extremely uncomfortable while another wouldn't flinch. It is still wrong.


My friend had to go through a sexual harrassment suit. SHE was sued by some co-worker at her former job. It eventually got settled by her firm as it was clear that it was only him trying to get back at her as he thought she got him fired. Anyway, the point is that the firm shelled out significant money in her defense and paid him a good deal of money to make him go away - even though it was clear that he had no case. Hence, I totally understand that companies want to reduce any and all kinds of possible retributions from inappropriate behavior! Not to mention the havoc it caused in her personal life and relationship with her husband (honey, I am being sued for sexual harrassment...). She now is extremely careful of what she says and how she interacts with people... once bitten twice shy, I suppose.