Child Molester at Work

[Swarly]

Originally Posted by photon

Freeze them until we find a cure!

what, so he can destroy our future wussified city demolition man style

[ken0042]

Without knowing what DA does for a living, Photon and Burninator's reaction of not being a kid may make sense.

Let's say the person currently works in a purely adult environment. Is it better to kick him to the curb, forcing the guy to find another job? What if the next job is McDonalds? One day he stops by the Playland...........

While I think he's a sick SOB, I can't say firing the guy or making the work environment intollerable is the right answer.

[Devils'Advocate]

For context, the man is 57 and is in an office setting. AFAIK, he fixes computer problems.

I'll just throw this out there, since someone who works with the guy brought it up. Let's say someone at the office grabs a co-worker, reaches up her dress and fondles her nether-region? Or let's even say that this someone follows a co-worker home and molests her outside her own apartment? The counselors said that those situations would be handled differently. In an effort to fight sexual harassment in the workplace, likely the man would be suspended or fired outright.

[ResAlien]

57? This isn't something that "just happens" and I don't feel it's far fetched to assume this is just the first time that he's been caught. Is this not a felony? I can't understand how he can be allowed to continue at his job, let alone for the government. I'll keep my opinions about how this piece of filth should be punished to myself. They should fire his sorry ass and he can work on a loading dock for the rest of his miserable life.

edit: I have a four year old daughter and this kind of stuff makes me lose it. Just reading this story actually has me shaking mad. My vote goes to "take some friends and tune him up good".

[Calgaryborn]

We had a similar situation in our church. Part of the problem is how wide spread child sexual abuse is. Your work place will no doubt have several women and some men who have endured sexual abuse when they were children. Even though they are adults, they're not over it. Having this man working near them is going to cause them undue pain.
What you do about that is difficult because the court system failed to punish this fellow justly based upon his crime.

[Antithesis]

I don't know if I've seen this asked - and I don't mean to be flippant - but I'm assuming everyone at your work is an adult ... so why do they have a problem working with him? Because his mental illness results in disgusting, deviant behavior? He's not an immediate risk to anyone in your workplace, and I don't see how the "counsellors" saying what they did to your co-workers was an issue.

Obviously it's a charged issue ... but still, if he's satisfying the conditions of his legal issues, as far as society is concerned, he's done what he needs to.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

...so why do they have a problem working with him? Because his mental illness results in disgusting, deviant behavior?

This has been alluded to elsewhere in the thread, but not directly asked. And I'm surprised that so many people here would have absolutely no problem working with someone that has repeatedly molested a child. But the absolute revulsion that many people have, especially parents of young children, towards child molester would make for a toxic work environment. Now there have been some ridiculous stretches made ("I have pictures of my kids in my office... what if he works late one night and takes them to the john to jerk off to") to some legitimate concerns ("Do we have sufficient security measures to ensure that this guy has no access to the on-site daycare?"). But I think right now, for the most part, the knee-jerk emotional reaction most people have is that what this guy did is unforgiveable and they would much rather have him rot in jail forever than to ever have to see him again. The "paid debt to society" and "everyone deserves a second chance" rational thinking isn't there yet, if it ever will be.

[Antithesis]

Well, I'm a parent, and I've never been in that situation, so I can't say how I'd react with any degree of certainty, but wouldn't those people's "absolute revulsion" have more to do with themselves than him? Like I said, apparently he's not a danger to them, so that's not an issue. I agree, there are safety issues to consider like workplace daycare, but it seemed upon first reading that there were issues with the counsellors saying that he shouldn't be harassed. Of course he shouldn't - any issues should be dealt with through proper channels, in my opinion.

Don't get me wrong, I think that behavior is disgusting, but at work, I don't see it directly affecting me, so why would I go out of my way to make his life worse? Because it'd make me feel better about my life? I dunno. Does seem like you are taking a reasoned approach to the issue though, DA.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

This has been alluded to elsewhere in the thread, but not directly asked. And I'm surprised that so many people here would have absolutely no problem working with someone that has repeatedly molested a child. But the absolute revulsion that many people have, especially parents of young children, towards child molester would make for a toxic work environment. Now there have been some ridiculous stretches made ("I have pictures of my kids in my office... what if he works late one night and takes them to the john to jerk off to") to some legitimate concerns ("Do we have sufficient security measures to ensure that this guy has no access to the on-site daycare?"). But I think right now, for the most part, the knee-jerk emotional reaction most people have is that what this guy did is unforgiveable and they would much rather have him rot in jail forever than to ever have to see him again. The "paid debt to society" and "everyone deserves a second chance" rational thinking isn't there yet, if it ever will be.

I'm not sure it is so much that they wouldn't have a problem, just understanding that the guy has to work somewhere. Nobody has to really forgive him, but if we buy into a society that doesn't just kill them off once convicted and let's them back out into society, what are you supposed to do I guess? I don't know, it's a tough one, but I wouldn't confuse many of the remarks with 'forgiving him' that they have no problem ... just recognizing the full context of the issue I'd say.

[Antithesis]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I'll just throw this out there, since someone who works with the guy brought it up. Let's say someone at the office grabs a co-worker, reaches up her dress and fondles her nether-region? Or let's even say that this someone follows a co-worker home and molests her outside her own apartment? The counselors said that those situations would be handled differently. In an effort to fight sexual harassment in the workplace, likely the man would be suspended or fired outright.

In response to this, the difference to me between this hypothetical and the situation you described in the OP is clear: this hypothetical had a direct impact on a person at the place of employment. As disgusting as his behavior was, it has no direct impact on any single person in your workplace.

[photon]

I think the secondary effect mentioned is worth considering now that I think about it. While yes he probably isn't a direct threat to anyone in the workplace (and assuming that it's not a job involving children or exposure to children), everyone's reaction could still cause a toxic work environment.

This is what I was kind of referring to, so everyone knows, everyone shuns him, he hates himself and that affects everyone around him as well, the whole situation is negative. So they fire him or whatever, that fixes one work place and now he just moves onto the next one. As was pointed out hopefully he goes somewhere where he can just work and go home anonymously and doesn't try to get a job around kids.

If people were more mature about it then they could just be civil and leave it at that, but people aren't mature unfortunately.

[BuzzardsWife]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Oh please. The man did his time, why not give him a chance? Perhaps the experience has changed him for the better. Traditional Ale, you seem to be assuming this man is a serial child molester and cannot be rehabilitated.

He may have made a big mistake in life, but it's just as bad to judge without giving a chance, as hard as it may seem.

child molesters dont learn lessons..and they ALWAYS re-offend!

[photon]

That's like saying alcoholics always fall off the wagon. A lot do but not all do.

[Swarly]

Originally Posted by photon

I think the secondary effect mentioned is worth considering now that I think about it. While yes he probably isn't a direct threat to anyone in the workplace (and assuming that it's not a job involving children or exposure to children), everyone's reaction could still cause a toxic work environment.

This is what I was kind of referring to, so everyone knows, everyone shuns him, he hates himself and that affects everyone around him as well, the whole situation is negative. So they fire him or whatever, that fixes one work place and now he just moves onto the next one. As was pointed out hopefully he goes somewhere where he can just work and go home anonymously and doesn't try to get a job around kids.

If people were more mature about it then they could just be civil and leave it at that, but people aren't mature unfortunately.

I don't think it's immature of me to not want to hang around with someone like that.

In a normal workplace people would get along and go out for beers after work, I'm sure he wouldn't be invited, is that unacceptable? People shouldn't run around insulting him but he will be shunned. It's not a question of maturity, I don't spend time with a lot of people for a lot less.

Someone posed the question earlier, what would you do if instead he verbally assaulted his children at home (which some argue is just as bad). Well if it became public knowledge that he is that kind of person then I'm sure he would be shunned too. Beyond that there isn't anything people could/should do to him.

[photon]

I meant just being civil.. doesn't mean you have to go have a beer with him.. we don't invite our legal guy for a beer because he's a jerk No question choosing who to spend time with is fine.

I just meant being civil as in if he comes into your office to fix your email just let him do his job. Calling him "Lester" while he does it not so civil.

[Rathji]

Take a steaming dump in his lunch box every day for a week. I am sure you can find enough people to back you up with false alibis and cover stories that even though the company has said harrasment is off limits that you would never miss a day of work.

You can make anyone quit from any job, regardless of who is protecting them. We had classes about this as a union plant I used to work at since it was the only way to get rid of some people. People can only take so much before they just need to get out.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Dood, he molested a child. I don't think there is really much more to be said!?

90 days and house arrest...total joke. When that kid turns 20-25 and fully comprehends what happened they are going to be right eff'd up.

It is a total joke. I have been watching that MSNBC serious about catching adult internet stalkers on children. In Georgia, they caught 5 guys showing up to the house to meet a 13 year old with intentions to have sex. All of them were found guilty and received no less than 4 years in jail.

4 YEARS. They didn't touch or have sex and they got 4 YEARS. This guy puts his hands down the pants of a child and gets jack squat.

PEOPLE, our justice system is a JOKE.

[Antithesis]

Yeah, excellent points photon, there is a vast difference between 'should' and 'is'. People should be mature enough to deal with this situation, I agree with you 100%. I can totally see everyone else's viewpoint though. Given the choice between working with someone convicted of molesting children and someone who hadn't been, all other things being equal, obviously, I'm going to choose the latter.

[Boblobla]

I am surprised there hasn't been more of a comment that he only got 90 days in jail for diddling 2 little boys.

That is what infuriates me about the whole thing. I don't give a flying **** if he has kids, that doesn't mean he should be treated any differently than someone else who puts his hands down a little kids pants.

[McMack]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

For context, the man is 57 and is in an office setting. AFAIK, he fixes computer problems.

I'll just throw this out there, since someone who works with the guy brought it up. Let's say someone at the office grabs a co-worker, reaches up her dress and fondles her nether-region? Or let's even say that this someone follows a co-worker home and molests her outside her own apartment? The counselors said that those situations would be handled differently. In an effort to fight sexual harassment in the workplace, likely the man would be suspended or fired outright.

If I were a manager in your organization, I would be very concerned that he could use the organizations network to access child pornography. If this guy is acting out on his deviant fantasies, then I would bet that he has also accessed child porn (I'm not saying at work, but possibly at home) as this would typically be the precursor to acting out. There is no way I would let him have any administrative rights on the organizations network. This could effectively make it impossible for him to his job as a computer or network tech.