Sexual Harassment

It depends on if he was referring to her appearance or her job performance. In sales, he could have been referring to her sales technique.

Was she offended by it? what is she selling? does she "need" to be "hot" in order to do the job? Like selling lingerie or something like that?

ANYTHING can be made into sexual harassment these days. So really? he made a TOTALLY stupid and innocuous comment that might end up biting him in the butt.

If she were my daughter - I would tell her to tell them - thank you. make a note of it - document what he said, when he said it and who was around - and then if he says it again - he needs to be told to back off.

Men/Boys can be REALLY stupid. Especially when they let their little head take over!! LOL!!

I don't believe the statement is sexual harassment, but it's pretty stupid. If a person is attractive, it IS a benefit in sales, because you can use it as a tool to "attract" the attention of customers. But if all you are is a pretty face, you won't succeed.

I think she should play it by ear. If the trainer is good in other areas, and doesn't make any more stupid comments, then let it be taken as a "brain fart". BUT - if it continues, it's not appropriate and she'll need to say something to him, and if things don't change, to his superiors. If he's training, and not doing it well, they'll need to know.

EDIT:I was in sales for several years, and was outnumbered by guys by 8/1, so I've lived this. If she's in a predominantly male field, here's a helpful tidbit. Some men are "men" (mature, respectful), some men are "guys" (foot in mouth, off color jokes, etc.), and some men are "jerks" (immature, always inappropriate, not going to change).

Women need to let men be guys sometimes, because men REALLY appreciate that leeway. And they have a lot of respect for the women who let them be guys occasionally. But Jerks should not be tolerated.

I would have told the guy, a polite and pointed reply back.
"You're lucky I took that as a joke....this time."
Then ignored him and walked away.

The guy sounds like an idiot.

Stupid comment, yes. Sexual harassment, no.

Fact is, companies looking for sales employees do think that better looking people are generally more successful in the sales environment. I work for a sales organization and fact is that 90% of our sales reps are pretty darn good looking. They are smart too, but also good looking. Not saying its right, just saying its true.

According to the EEOC, this is the definition of sexual harassment:

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:

1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment,
2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individuals, or
3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.

Well I would not attempt to sue a company or try to get someone fired over something like that.

Of course there are different levels of sexual harrassment and if she got upset about this then she may be in the wrong career field.

Was it stupid of the trainer to say it, yes he should know better because 9 times out of 10, it will roll off someone's shoulders (like me, and I've heard worse) but on that 10th time, someone will see it as an opportunity to get revenge on the company and person who made the stupid remark.

If it bothers her that much, she should casually mention to the tranier IN PRIVATE that she would appreciate it if he would refrain from making remarks such as that. Then, everyone will be on eggshells around her afraid that they will insult her and be the one to get nailed on something.

TOTALLY different if she were touched or proposiitioned in order to move up the ladder.

Sales is a tough job and you have to have a thick skin to be successful in it. Clients are notorious for making remarks.

No, because one comment is not pervasive. A reasonable person would not feel harassed by the comment. It is a stupid comment but not sexual harassment.

The next time he says something like it, she should say "I really don't want to hear that from you. I'm here to do a job, not have to hear stuff like this." If there's a third time, she should warn him that if he doesn't stop, she'll report him to HR.

Only if he is an idiot will he continue after the second time...

Dawn

She needs to tell him it makes her uncomfortable (at least once) or she won't be able to claim it was harassment. While it may not have been harassment, it was definitely inappropriate.

Well, if she felt offended, anything can be sexual harassment. It was a dumb comment. If he makes another, she should report him. A repeat offender won't stop anytime soon.

I WAS harassed at my job. A guy would tell people on his phone what he would do to me. In front of me. He would make suggestive movements. He would say super revolting things. Of course, I reported him. He got fired.

I wouldn't put this under the catagory of sexual harassment unless these types of comments continue. Was it inappropriate, yes. I certainly understand your concern.

Yes absolutely. This should be reported to HR.

Just be sure this is not a continuing pattern that gets even more verbal or action behind it of any kind. Tell her to be careful around him.

At our company, yes, 100% that would be considered harassment.
We're a 6500 person int'l organization. I find that the larger the company, the less tolerance there is for any kind of inappropriate commentary.