I was informed that one of our managers was terminated for fraternization. When you hear that, it's easy to assume the most obvious: a male manager with a female employee. This was quite the opposite! I'm sure when I heard the news my jaw hit the pavement.
At my age, the thought of engaging in any kind of intimate relationship with a coworker gives me the willies. Maybe because so many are younger than my own kids?? Could be. I'm not naive, things happen. And I wasn't immune to it in my twenty's.
But then again, maybe it was the workplace. The ratio of men to women back then was 15:1 , and I didn't mind it! It was a great group of guys, and I believe I was "the little sister" to most of them. They certainly made it a point to look out for me, didn't miss a chance to tease me (like a big brother would!) and to "corrupt" me if the opportunity came up. I remember the first time they invited me to choir practice. Turns out, that was their code word for drinks at the local bowling alley bar every Thursday night. They made it into a challenge and wouldn't let me tag along unless I agreed to two rules: If you're gonna drink with the boys, you keep up with the boys; and you don't miss work the next day. Seemed simple enough, so I went. Good thing they were married men, otherwise I might have been one those in the fraternization category!
I can certainly understand how easy it is to get caught up in something. What we do during our work day is sometimes a mystery, and when we have a bad day, telling someone who understands *why* it was a bad day because they've lived through the same things can be an attractive quality. In hindsight, I think that's why choir practice was so attractive; it gave all these men an opportunity to discuss work situations and problems - and maybe relieved the stresses of bringing work home to family life.
With the Monday crazies, I wondered what Tuesday would hold.
Luckily, no major catastrophes!
Happy Week to the rest of you :)
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