ANSWERS: 26
  • Yes, I kind of do... and a bit feminist
  • I don't think its right. It lowers the postionof the female to the rest of the office!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Yes I do think its unproffesional and very patronising.
  • i think that its on the thin line of sexual hasrassment .
  • I think it is condescending, sexist and it sucks.
  • It's definitely unprofessional. If they know each other but are not in a relationship, it's flirting. If they are dating and it is allowed, no problem at all. It breaks the boredom in cube farms, that's for sure.
  • Yes its unprofessional even if the female employees are his friends.
  • Totally unacceptable, that will not be tolerated at my works place.
  • Yes, unless they are a couple which does happen in the workplace.
  • I am one of 2 women who work in a large office full of older men and I am referred to in this way all of the time. I also lived and worked in a pub for a long time and was also called these names all of the time then too. It doesn't bother me too much, I could kick up a fuss about it but it's not worth it. I don't think that it is particularly professional but they say it as a term of endearment, not in a sleazy way.
  • I don't think is right. That is sexual harrassment. I had a boss that used to do that. I heard he finally got fired because FINALLY a girl had the courage to report the PRESIDENT of the company.
  • One of the people I work for does it to me - as long as both parties are comfortable with it, I don't see it as unprofessional or harassment. It doesn't affect the quality of my work and if I ever feel uncomfortable I have no problem with letting him know (hasn't happened yet). I think that it depends more on what you're comfortable with as to whether or not it's considered professional.
  • It's old-fashioned, maybe a bit misogynistic on the subconscious level, but I don't think it does any harm. I DO think that people who flip out about it and base entire civil law suits over it have issues.
  • All depends on the context; It's used for one of two reasons: 1) for seductive overtones, or 2) for appreciation at the work level such as "Thank you (dear/darling/sweetheart...) for doing a good job" or "Thank you for doing this for me" I'll say 99% of the time it's used for the second reason and is harmless. If for the first reason--and there would have to be further evidence, that would indeed constitute sexual harassment.
  • I know it's sexual harassment. Tell him you have a name, please use it. If he doesn't pay attention, slap a suit on him he'll pay attention.
  • I think that they are losers...
  • It is unprofessional to call an employee by anything but their given name.
  • Dear I could maybe handle because a lot of people use that terminology, but sweetheart or darling no. Obviously crossing the line but it isn't really sexual harassment.Awkward yeah and I would tell them that it makes me feel awkward.
  • oh god i hate that. men all the time call me sweetheart or beautiful. It's really weird because i know at 25 i am a woman they find attractive or sexy even but they are....older men...its just weird.
  • I think it is unproffesional, but, it goes both ways/all ways....for the record. Old to young, young to old, male to female, female to male
  • I use it as tension breakers with my female boss when she is flustrated, to make her feel a little more cheery, and so I don't come across as to serious.
  • Yes it's unprofessionalm demeaning and archaic. I am not this persons 'darling, sweatheart' or anything else. I would request that they use my name. And 'stillme' is correct... it IS a form a sexual harassment and can be dealt with in that manner.
  • I think it depends. If you don't think he means anything by it. If your comfortable with it. Then I think it's okay. I was on the other side of a situation once. This Doctor would call his staff sweetheart,dear and even put his arm around them in a buddy kind of way. But I could tell that some of his staff were not comfortable with that and since I didn't see some of the same staff after a while. I figured some of them quit.
  • I think they are male chauvinist's and are demeaning to the women..and I'm a man.
  • depends on the relationship, but i know often it's a cultural thing and they mean nothing wrong. i guess i kind of take it in context of who the person is overall.
  • I have a female boss who constantly calls me sweetie, baby, darling, etc. and I think that whether your supervisor is male or female, it is inappropriate.

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