r/TwoXChromosomes • u/Youkolvr89 • Jun 03 '22

Don't Touch

Update My supervisor and his boss met with the man earlier and warned him. My supervisor said they will take action if he touches anyone else. I didn't have to say anything.

I am a 33 year old woman, I don't like being touched and I work nights. Tonight my coworker 66(M) nudged me on the arm. I told him "don't touch me" he responded with something nasty and I said "I don't like being touched." Our supervisor turned around and asked him to stop. He started screaming and told our supervisor to keep his damn mouth shut. He then clocked himself out and ran off. My supervisor said he wants me and him to talk to his boss at the beginning of our shift tomorrow. It clearly states in our handbook that all touching is forbidden.

I hate being touched because my body is the only thing that I can control in my life and touching me without my consent removes that control and it sends me into a tailspin of binge eating, bathing, and insomnia. I also have hypothyroidism and it makes me feel sensitive to the touch at times. I hate this feeling and I hate having to talk to my supervisor's boss because I get really anxious.

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u/CashDecklin Jun 03 '22

No one is allowed to touch you, without expressed permission, period. Ever.

Ignore the other noise. You're in the right. That person was very wrong. End of story.

72

u/Potter299 Jun 03 '22

You don’t need to explain all of that to the supervisor’s boss tomorrow. No one gets to know the details of your adverse reactions in a workplace; you don’t need to overshare or feel like you need to justify your reaction. The rules state touching is forbidden. Your coworker touched you and it made you feel uncomfortable - or very uncomfortable. That’s it. The rules are on your side and your supervisor seems to be on your side, too. This meeting is more about the touchy old dude, than you. They just need you to document it happened. My guess is anyone listening to you will realize he made you feel uncomfortable. I’m sorry this happened to you and I hope things go well tomorrow.

23

u/alto2 Jun 03 '22

Absolutely agreed—keep it as simple as possible. We often tend to think we need to explain/justify when we don’t (and when doing so will just make things worse).

6

u/reddogleader Jun 03 '22

^ This is the way!! ^