Ladies: is that term offensive?

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

People want to know more information, well OK.

I went up to a group of middle age women in the office and said, "how are you ladies doing?"

The person who submitted a formal complaint about me does not like me and used this as a way to get back at me for something I did to her.

Regardless, being written up for using the term ladies?

Assuming your tone of voice was friendly and cordial, completely and totally ridiculous.

I've always thought of the term "lady" or "ladies" to be respectful. Dictionary.com defines "lady" as "A well-mannered and considerate woman with high standards of proper behavior" (okay, the complainant may not fit this ) or "a woman, especially when spoken of or to in a polite way."

Is there a supervisor to your boss that you can speak to about this? More importantly, how did the other ladies you greeted take it? Would they speak to your boss on your behalf?

 

[Patch'sD]

What do you call the Younger Women of the Office, What about the Seniors, You were singling out Middle Aged Women Workers grouping them as Ladies. What does it say in your Equal Opportunity Handbook. " When addressing Coworkers of Gender different than yours who are between the ages of XX and XX the proper term of greeting is, Good Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Fellow Workers of a Gender Different than Mine. As an Alternative the addresser should just put head down avoid all eye contact and proceed to a neutral location and keep mouth shut".

Do not refer to anyone as Gals, Guys, men, women, ladies, sir, mam, man, Studs, Bimbos, Oxs, Gang, gaggle, when a simple Hey You will do

 

[imsorry]

People want to know more information, well OK.

I went up to a group of middle age women in the office and said, "how are you ladies doing?"

The person who submitted a formal complaint about me does not like me and used this as a way to get back at me for something I did to her.Regardless, being written up for using the term ladies?

Aha, the plot thickens!

 

[imsorry]

Your boss is using the incident as an excuse to write you up. The write up probably has nothing to do with saying "ladies" and everything to do with something else, probably something intangible that he/she can't use as an excuse for a write up, like being annoying.

He said it himself - she is using it to get back at him for something else he did to her!

 

[experiment626mom]

Do not refer to anyone as Gals, Guys, men, women, ladies, sir, mam, man, Studs, Bimbos, Oxs, Gang, gaggle, when a simple Hey You will do

I hate the term gal. Used to work with a woman who called every female she knew a gal.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

In the context you used, it was not offensive. What a weirdly, oversensitive world we live in. Find another job!

 

[inaminute]

she is using it to get back at him for something else he did to her!

And I think it's a shame that she's getting away with doing it. The original problem should have been immediately addressed. If it was, then the co-worker needs to grow up and let go of her grudge.

 

[Chicago526]

Uh, I think the woman that wrote up the OP needs to see "North Country". Now THAT'S harrasment!

Good grief! Assuming there's not more to the story, how on earth could "ladies" be considered offensive? If I say "the guys in Sales" when talking to a co-worker, does that mean I should be writen up too? Stuff like this just makes it harder for REAL harrasment claims to move forward because no one will take it seriously!

 

[Bob Slydell]

The person who submitted a formal complaint about me does not like me and used this as a way to get back at me for something I did to her.

So, what'd you do to piss her off in the past?

 

[cardaway]

Depends, if you are Mr Q or Mrs Q.

It's great to see more of this side...

Keep up the good work Q!

 

[septbride2002]

I don't appreciate the term - young lady. When I was younger(21-23) I was the youngest in the department but I worked my butt off to get here. Some of the men would refer to me as young lady and I hated it. Now if they were being nice about it, "Here ya go young lady" I would roll my eyes and not say anything. But it was when they would say things like, "Young lady, you need to do......" Then it was alot more irksome.

I worked with a guy who use to refer to us women as "girls" he was a bit old fashioned and he never said it with a rude tone so we just dealt with it. I've also been referred to as kiddo which is fine when the person calling you that is 65 but not when the person is 30.

It is a fine line to walk and I think some women today get easily offended. I work in a mostly male environment, I'm young, I'm blonde, I'm friendly, and I don't think I'm bad looking. At some point you have to decide if you are going to be the voice of harassment or if you are going to learn to take a joke and laugh things off so that your work place is more comfortable.

~Amanda

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I get more irritated when someone calls me "honey", or "sweetie". The use of "ladies" is not offensive, just like the use of "guys".

 

[hugsquared]

Wow, of all the things I've been called in my life...Lady seems by far the least offensive
Perhaps a group of feminists who perfer to be called "persons"?

 

[chyam]

People want to know more information, well OK.

I went up to a group of middle age women in the office and said, "how are you ladies doing?"

The person who submitted a formal complaint about me does not like me and used this as a way to get back at me for something I did to her.

Regardless, being written up for using the term ladies?

I have the feeling that more than just that lady doesn't like you.............not only that but I don't believe a word of this tale unless of course they were all men at the table!
Perhaps "C" can answer your question!
But it is good to know you at least still have a job.

 

[Disney Ella]

I hate the term gal. Used to work with a woman who called every female she knew a gal.

I hate "gal" too, makes me think of horses. (Giddyup gal!) Don't think I would have gotten annoyed by ladies.

 

[mamaprincess]

My best friend thinks 'ladies" sounds real 70's and like the beginning to a bad pick up line i.e. "Foxy lady", "Well, helloooooo ladies." you get my drift.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

My best friend thinks 'ladies" sounds real 70's and like the beginning to a bad pick up line i.e. "Foxy lady", "Well, helloooooo ladies." you get my drift.

Allllright, giggity-giggity...