Thanks for the reply Ludwig; I think I'd have done exactly the same but when I read your original tale it struck me how when I was in my 20's (ie in the 1970s) anyone viewing such behaviour would have had no hesitation in pointing out that it was unacceptable, and correspondingly the miscreants would have expected and accepted being so told.
Where have we gone wrong?
I will try harder to be clear in the future in such situations in an assertive not authoritative way about where I think moral or behavioural limits are being transgressed. That is my responsibility; if I don't why should anyone else.
In fact I started last week when I found myself saying in a meeting that it was unacceptable that a work placement student should be foisted on a department at an inconvenient time because his dad was mates with someone very high up in the organisation who had assured him that his boy could come an spend a week getting in the way. Colleagues and Managers were quite surprised to hear someone speak up on a moral issue, but agreed with the point.
It is much easier to tut and turn away, and that would be my default reaction. Must try harder...
RogerCO
Global 'train wreck' coming
Moderator: Peak Moderation