Sexual Harassment and "The Rock Test"

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So, I recently came across this article, The Rock Test: A Hack for Men Who Don’t Want To Be Accused of Sexual Harassment and I have several thoughts about it.

Sexual Harassment and "The Rock Test"

The article is basically a woman sharing her "life hack" on how men can avoid sexually harassing women (and avoid being put in situations where they could be accused of sexual harassment). The writer starts off by pointing out who the target audience is, men in the business world who may have frequent encounters with their female colleagues.

Are you a man confused on how to treat the women you work with? Do you feel like if you can’t say or do *anything* you don’t know what to say or do at all? Well stress no more! This life hack will have you treating women like people in no time.

We are constantly hearing about this topic in the professional working world. With constant news stories coming out about powerful men sexually harassing women and men complaining that they "don't know how to act without getting accused of sexual harassment," this seems to be a major problem. So what to we do about it? Well, the writer has a solution, treat all the women you work with like you would treat Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Sound strange? Maybe it is but there is a point to it!

...this is a visualization exercise that will work wonders in your dealings with the women in your workplace. When a woman approaches you, just replace her in your mind with The Rock. Then, behave accordingly.

She even gives several examples for those who may still be confused. I'll share just one.

Situation 1: Getting Coffee

"Karen is a friend of a friend who recently moved to your city and wants to network in her chosen field, one in which you also work. She’s asked you if you’d be willing to get coffee with her, so she can “pick your brain.” There’s just one problem, Karen looks like this:

Sexual Harassment and "The Rock Test"

Oh shoot! She’s pretty! In the face, even. What to do?? I mean, you know it’d be inappropriate to treat the coffee meeting as a date, since her clearly stated intentions were professional. But on the other hand, she’s blonde, and so was your last girlfriend! This is so confusing! What a minefield you are in.

But navigating this sticky situation can be made easy by employing The Rock Test. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and when you open them, pretend Karen looks like this:

Sexual Harassment and "The Rock Test"

Wow! Karen looks pretty tough and strong and sweaty! She looks like a person who is working very hard to achieve her goals, having left behind a situation that clearly wasn’t working, headed for bigger and better things. Maybe ask her about that? But definitely don’t hit on her. It looks like she could kill you with the chair you’re sitting on."

The writer goes on to mention two other scenarios that men in the working world may encounter with their co-workers of the opposite sex and how to deal with them by imagining their co-worker as The Rock. The article is wrapped up with the following statements:

So there you go! You’ve learned the quick and easy way to interact with women without behaving inappropriately. Simply offer them the same respect, admiration, and healthy dose of fear you’d offer anyone who could completely destroy you should you deserve it.

Now for my thoughts, I personally think it is pretty sad that any man would have to envision their female co-worker as a man in order to afford her the same respect and dignity that they would give a male co-worker. However, if it works then who am I to complain? Sexual harassment and assault is a serious issue and should be open for discussion no matter how uncomfortable it may make certain people feel.

If you are *not* the type of guy who hits on his female co-workers, then obviously this is not for you. But for those of you who DO have problems with this OR if you simply want to avoid ever being accused of sexual harassment anyway, then perhaps try out the "The Rock Test" and let us know if it helps.

Share your thoughts below!

Sexual Harassment and "The Rock Test"
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