Respect in the workplace: imperative

One of my colleagues asked me this morning as we were driving to a client event: “People are saying that there will be a plethora of sexual harassment claims now that the Mark McInnes/David Jones case has been settled – especially given the Christmas season is upon us – what do you think?”

I responded: the case and the embarrassment caused to an iconic Australian retailer is the biggest wake up call to any leadership team. This type of behavior is not going to be tolerated. Leadership teams simply cannot afford the brand damage and the loss of reputation… even if that person is performing in their job, if they are inappropriate to a colleague then by definition that person is not an ‘A’ grader. To be an ‘A’ grader is a total package – treating all those around them with respect is essential.

The lesson to be learned is one of respect. Respect your colleagues, work place and the brand.

Earlier in the week I had been at an educational event put on for entrepreneurs by one of the media groups… I listened intently to the two self-made men sharing their growth stories.

One of these young entrepreneurs was asked the question: “Do you use a PR agency and how do you handle your publicity?” His response: “I interviewed a number of people for the role – the first was a 26-year-old attractive blonde woman – and I thought to my self woooo now that would be a nice person to have a round [Nudge Nudge] (we got his innuendo) – then I interviewed a older guy who had been around the traps and done it all. While the blonde looked fabulous I went for the older guy.”

Was this presenter really trying to impress us? He only saw the female candidate for her physical attributes. He discriminated against her because she was attractive. (Well that is the way he made it sound to the group – and if he was just trying to be funny – well he wasn’t). I have some very attractive colleagues – and I have watched men in meetings speak slower to them because they think if a woman is attractive they surely could not be smart as well.

Then later in the day I was chatting with another group at a different event – and one man was bemoaning that a board that he chaired had one female representative. And this woman always ran late. He felt he couldn’t bring this to her attention – because she was the only woman in the group. Go figure. Since when do we get a different set of rules because we wear a dress? Next he will think that ‘all women run late’ so he doesn’t want any more on his boards… (As if no men have ever been late and they wont all be tarred with the same brush).

Anyway I’ve had my rant… A little bit more respect could help us all – and keep lots of organisations out of court.

Naomi Simson is considered one of Australia’s ‘Best Bosses’. She is an employee engagement advocate and practices what she preaches in her own business. RedBalloon has been named as one of only six Hewitt Best Employers in Australia and New Zealand for 2009 and awarded an engagement scorecard of over 90% two years in a row – the average in Australian businesses is 55%. RedBalloon has also been nominated by BRW as being in the top 10 Best Places to Work in Australia behind the likes of Google. One of Australia’s outstanding female entrepreneurs, Naomi regularly entertains as a passionate speaker inspiring people on employer branding, engagement and reward and recognition. Naomi writes a blogand is a published author – and has received many accolades and awards for the business she founded – RedBalloon.com.au.