Woman Cries Out For Help As She Battles Daily Advances From Persistent Male Colleague
"He makes comments about my face, my eyes, and he says I've got a pretty a$$."
A 28-year-old woman thought her office crush phase would stay harmless, until her coworker kept escalating past “just flirting” and straight into comments that made her uncomfortable. It wasn’t a one-off either, it was a steady drip of attention that refused to take the hint. Even when she tried to keep things work-only, he kept pressing, turning everyday interactions into a minefield, especially when the rest of the team was watching.
Now the real question is whether anyone in that workplace will finally treat it like harassment, not like “she’s being sensitive.” Here’s the full story.
The story in detail
Reddit.comOP’s coworker has been hitting on her for a while now
Reddit.comThe comments have gotten a bit too sexual for OP’s comfort
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That’s when OP realized the coworker’s “persistent” behavior was not cooling off, it was getting more personal by the day.
Persistent advances in professional environments can constitute harassment, which undermines both personal and organizational well-being.
Here’s what the Reddit community had to say:
“He’s lying to your face; of course, he means it that way.”
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The coworker’s comments are inappropriate in a workplace regardless of whether he has a girlfriend or not
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“Look OP, there's only one way of dealing with men like this: you call them out.”
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The comments crossed a line fast, moving from workplace small talk to sexual remarks that made OP cringe every time he spoke.
This is just like the meal-prep standoff, where one coworker refused to share after the other crossed the line, in
Boundary Battle: Refusing to Share Meal Prep with Coworker.Additionally, the psychological impact of such harassment can lead to significant emotional distress. Studies have shown that victims of workplace harassment often experience anxiety, depression, and decreased job satisfaction. It's crucial for the woman to acknowledge these feelings and seek support, whether through human resources or counseling services. Addressing the emotional toll is vital for her overall well-being and ability to function effectively in her role.
“It’s totally inappropriate to talk about your coworker's features (especially their @$$), and he knows this.”
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“Arms up, walk away. Don’t ever placate that kind of talk.”
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“As a man myself, I can definitely tell you he's testing the waters to see if you'll bite.”
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Once people in the thread started calling it for what it is, OP’s situation stopped looking like awkward flirting and started looking like harassment.
Practical Steps to Address Harassment
To address workplace harassment, documenting incidents can be an effective strategy. Keeping a detailed record of each occurrence allows for a clearer presentation of the issue when reporting to management or HR. Furthermore, seeking support from colleagues can provide emotional reinforcement during these challenging situations.
“This is sexual harassment. You have every right to go to your supervisor.”
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“If he does it again after that, report the harassment to your employer.”
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“Saying you have a pretty a** is textbook workplace sexual harassment.”
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And if he does it again after OP tries to shut it down, the next step becomes unavoidable, because the pattern is already written in what he keeps saying.
Additionally, organizations should prioritize mental health resources and training for employees. Implementing training programs on recognizing and addressing harassment can cultivate a safer work environment.
The Reddit community is livid with OP’s coworker. They have deemed his advances as “sexual harassment” and have advised OP to report to her supervisor.
In addition, a few commenters have suggested other strategies to deal with the coworker herself. One of these is to stop being overly friendly with him and to tell him off the next time he approaches.
We’d love to get your thoughts on this story. Join the conversation in the comments.
The situation described highlights the urgent need for workplaces to address harassment head-on.
He might be wondering if he’s “just joking,” but OP’s already done pretending it’s fine.
Before it escalates, see how she handled a nosy coworker’s personal space violations at work in Setting Boundaries with a Nosy Coworker.
