this nature will almost never be sufficient to constitute a hostile work environment but that is not the problem for your company.

     Your company probably has a printed sexual harassment policy that directs employees to report  instances of what they consider SH to human resources and that human resources will investigate and take action.

      If they do nothing in the face of complaints, the company faces the risk of the uninvestigated incidents being cited as toleration of SH when some gal eventually sues them. So your company is building a record of compliance with its policy to protect against future litigation.

I am new to my company with a cohort class for indoctrinations.  We had introductions and icebreakers.  I used a tatoo on my shoulder as icebreaker (not shown of course) and I said I met a girl online, met her for a week, and then lost a bet to her and thus the tatoo.  I was told "girl" was inappopriate.  Ok, I told the offendee that my use of the word is not meant to be derogatory but regional language usage.  Brick wall and deer in headlights--like I was speaking a foreign language.  Then we had a class on gender equality and an example was put forward about some foreign CEOs of small  to medium business who were to attend a conference during the daytiime but many of the female CEOs failed to show up--- excuse was child care.  I spoke up and said if they willingliy chose to accept CEO, then do the CEO job and quit whining.  I was more polite.  You would think I was a baby beater by all of the foul and indignant remarks from the "ladies" in my class.  The class was supposed to be non attribution and academic free.  Ha! In any event, about a month later I get ambushed by the EEO guru who said some of the females in my indoc class felt I created a hostile work environment.  WTF???  Ok, I took my medicine but later I talked with one of my guy friends about what happened.  As it turned out, one of the "offendees" overheard my angry frustration and reported I was seeking retribution.  So, 6 weeks later, I am called again to task and this time a permanent file is created.  I am afraid now to say good morning out of fear I am telling someone what kind of morning to have.  It is a sad day in corporate America where the guy is assumed guilty and has to be proven innocent. I am changing jobs as soon as I can.  I have been working in the same kind of environment for 14 years with all kinds of genders, races, ethnicities, religions, and even Yankees (just kidding), and this is the most unprofessional, childish, trivial, over sensitize and anal company I have ever known. If someone else agrees that I was in the wrong, then I won't feel so bad about being called out.  But if you agree that the ladies went over board, then please post a line of support.  I am at an all time low and sinking further.  I gave up a great job in Florida to come here and now I feel like it was all for naught.

It doesn't matter if you were right or wrong. What matters is that you probably used the language that offended someone. Even if you didn't mean any harm, some people are extremely sensitive. Guessing from your write up, you probably called some woman a bitch or a slut or a whore. You should be very very careful not only what you say but how you say it.

Getting into controversies is a surefire way of getting fired. For the same reason, I never discuss politics at work. I am an Atheist, but I never voice my opinions about God or Religion.

No one is invincible.  Presidents get impeached. Even Charlie Sheen got fired.

Best luck...
Your Friend.

You could be working for the feds, where the complaints sit around for years until some judge finally decides to hear them. In the meantime, the complainant is in a "protected" status. Regardless of whether there is any merit to the complaint or not.

The environment you describe isn't going to get any better for you.  It's possible you have been type cast and your best bet now is to move on.

It sounds like a nightmare which isnt going to change. Im sorry you left a good job in Fla for this shit hole. I would inquire about getting it back..or see what else is available around here if moving back just isnt a good option.

I know I know..the aggrevation will just ad more misery to your life but staying where youre treated like a leper because of some perseived slight is not good way to spend your work day to say the least.

Just think when the whiny pathetic excuse for a female started on you with the "girl is an offensive term" remark you could have said well she is 12 which would have shut her up for a moment before she started in on you about tattos in general and exposing minors to the possibility that adults might acquire one whine. Though you werent putting down all womenhood, its important to note you might be catagorized as a pervert perhaps with pedifile tendencies. There is no winning with people like this.
You will do yorself a big solid by staying as far from this segment of humanity(loose term) as possible.

Firt, you will never even be allowed to explain your position, let alone convience any of them your intent isnt a viscious attack on sisterhold or some other sect. Honestly, life is too short and Im sorry for you that you got into this mess.

Sorry I got carried away but I have a strong distain for people who seem to go out of their way to make others miserable. It genuinely makes them happy and their life fulfilled. They are pathetic and all others need to avoid them to whatever degree they can.

Are you asking if what you are going through is considered sexual harassment or the women and the companies HR department are?

First take this experience as a lesson. I would suggest you learn more about the people you are working with before they learn more about you. I would not disclose personal experiences to anyone as you did. Skip the icebreaker introductions in the future and get on with your job.

Stay reserved in your opinions. The point made of female CEO's taking time off for child care and your comment while not sexual harassment is a sexist statement. The fact is you are off base as in many cases men have the same rights as the women do when it comes to maternal, paternal leave, and every country is different. I would have asked what the policy is in that country to equality in the work place when it comes to single parent male or female and keep your personal opinions to yourself.

If you feel you have been treated unfairly prepare your case and present it to HR. Your being overheard in the workplace when voicing you disdain to a "guy friend" was another mistake you should learn from.

The EEO guru is the HR representative and the one who created a "permanent file"? What was recorded and put into your personnel file? You have a right to see what record was created and a right to contest it.

Know your rights, limit your exposure to circumstances such as these by keeping your mouth shut or expect it to happen again at your next job.

You could turn this around if you want but it would require you to change your style and learning how to present to HR your case.

Good Luck

You need to just tell the EEO guru that your tired of overly sensitive babes - they probably haven't had a good fuck in several months (or may be they are lesbos in need of a good licking).  next time you need an icebreaker, just ask the group to discuss their views on genitile piercings, and specifically invite any of the bitches with noserings or belly button piercings to discuss their piercings.  That will break the ice.  Of course I always like to pass out cigars to the men and women, then ask them to hold them during the session, then from time to time if someone brings one to their lips, discuss the phallic implications of that act.

[above said TIC, of course ]-