How to approach a colleague who touches himself inappropriately?

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I have a colleague who often puts his hands in his trousers and has them there for varying amounts of time.



I work in a very open plan office, with a cubicle layout, but the dividers are low. We all sit in squares, each facing in, so I can see two people to my left and right, and one in-front.



As a result of the layout, it's very easy to see out of the corner of my eye, my colleague "rearranging" himself.



At first when it was once or twice it was a bit weird but when it's happening a few times a day, it's getting a bit disgusting.



How best would I approach this?







share|improve this question


















  • 3




    Moving away would leave a empty desk which means someone else would be left in this position.
    – Michael Grubey
    Jun 4 '13 at 10:21










  • Culture? In what sort of context? It's a UK office, with a very relaxed atmosphere.
    – anon
    Jun 4 '13 at 11:30










  • It may just be a cultural thing. FWIW, I think a lot of Asians (and Italians ?)adjust 'it' quite often and is not considered socially awkward in their societies.
    – happybuddha
    Jun 5 '13 at 13:13










  • @happybuddha I think that OP meant "pervert" when they wrote "rearranging". In Italy, the "grattata ai coglioni" (scratch "it" to not have bad luck) is considered boorish and vulgar, they do not do it in the trousers, and it does not involve keeping the hand there. To be clear: it is a completely different thing than what this thread is about.
    – ignis
    Aug 14 '14 at 20:26

















up vote
3
down vote

favorite
1












I have a colleague who often puts his hands in his trousers and has them there for varying amounts of time.



I work in a very open plan office, with a cubicle layout, but the dividers are low. We all sit in squares, each facing in, so I can see two people to my left and right, and one in-front.



As a result of the layout, it's very easy to see out of the corner of my eye, my colleague "rearranging" himself.



At first when it was once or twice it was a bit weird but when it's happening a few times a day, it's getting a bit disgusting.



How best would I approach this?







share|improve this question


















  • 3




    Moving away would leave a empty desk which means someone else would be left in this position.
    – Michael Grubey
    Jun 4 '13 at 10:21










  • Culture? In what sort of context? It's a UK office, with a very relaxed atmosphere.
    – anon
    Jun 4 '13 at 11:30










  • It may just be a cultural thing. FWIW, I think a lot of Asians (and Italians ?)adjust 'it' quite often and is not considered socially awkward in their societies.
    – happybuddha
    Jun 5 '13 at 13:13










  • @happybuddha I think that OP meant "pervert" when they wrote "rearranging". In Italy, the "grattata ai coglioni" (scratch "it" to not have bad luck) is considered boorish and vulgar, they do not do it in the trousers, and it does not involve keeping the hand there. To be clear: it is a completely different thing than what this thread is about.
    – ignis
    Aug 14 '14 at 20:26













up vote
3
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
3
down vote

favorite
1






1





I have a colleague who often puts his hands in his trousers and has them there for varying amounts of time.



I work in a very open plan office, with a cubicle layout, but the dividers are low. We all sit in squares, each facing in, so I can see two people to my left and right, and one in-front.



As a result of the layout, it's very easy to see out of the corner of my eye, my colleague "rearranging" himself.



At first when it was once or twice it was a bit weird but when it's happening a few times a day, it's getting a bit disgusting.



How best would I approach this?







share|improve this question














I have a colleague who often puts his hands in his trousers and has them there for varying amounts of time.



I work in a very open plan office, with a cubicle layout, but the dividers are low. We all sit in squares, each facing in, so I can see two people to my left and right, and one in-front.



As a result of the layout, it's very easy to see out of the corner of my eye, my colleague "rearranging" himself.



At first when it was once or twice it was a bit weird but when it's happening a few times a day, it's getting a bit disgusting.



How best would I approach this?









share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Jun 4 '13 at 10:12









Michael Grubey

4,20432252




4,20432252










asked Jun 4 '13 at 8:07







anon














  • 3




    Moving away would leave a empty desk which means someone else would be left in this position.
    – Michael Grubey
    Jun 4 '13 at 10:21










  • Culture? In what sort of context? It's a UK office, with a very relaxed atmosphere.
    – anon
    Jun 4 '13 at 11:30










  • It may just be a cultural thing. FWIW, I think a lot of Asians (and Italians ?)adjust 'it' quite often and is not considered socially awkward in their societies.
    – happybuddha
    Jun 5 '13 at 13:13










  • @happybuddha I think that OP meant "pervert" when they wrote "rearranging". In Italy, the "grattata ai coglioni" (scratch "it" to not have bad luck) is considered boorish and vulgar, they do not do it in the trousers, and it does not involve keeping the hand there. To be clear: it is a completely different thing than what this thread is about.
    – ignis
    Aug 14 '14 at 20:26













  • 3




    Moving away would leave a empty desk which means someone else would be left in this position.
    – Michael Grubey
    Jun 4 '13 at 10:21










  • Culture? In what sort of context? It's a UK office, with a very relaxed atmosphere.
    – anon
    Jun 4 '13 at 11:30










  • It may just be a cultural thing. FWIW, I think a lot of Asians (and Italians ?)adjust 'it' quite often and is not considered socially awkward in their societies.
    – happybuddha
    Jun 5 '13 at 13:13










  • @happybuddha I think that OP meant "pervert" when they wrote "rearranging". In Italy, the "grattata ai coglioni" (scratch "it" to not have bad luck) is considered boorish and vulgar, they do not do it in the trousers, and it does not involve keeping the hand there. To be clear: it is a completely different thing than what this thread is about.
    – ignis
    Aug 14 '14 at 20:26








3




3




Moving away would leave a empty desk which means someone else would be left in this position.
– Michael Grubey
Jun 4 '13 at 10:21




Moving away would leave a empty desk which means someone else would be left in this position.
– Michael Grubey
Jun 4 '13 at 10:21












Culture? In what sort of context? It's a UK office, with a very relaxed atmosphere.
– anon
Jun 4 '13 at 11:30




Culture? In what sort of context? It's a UK office, with a very relaxed atmosphere.
– anon
Jun 4 '13 at 11:30












It may just be a cultural thing. FWIW, I think a lot of Asians (and Italians ?)adjust 'it' quite often and is not considered socially awkward in their societies.
– happybuddha
Jun 5 '13 at 13:13




It may just be a cultural thing. FWIW, I think a lot of Asians (and Italians ?)adjust 'it' quite often and is not considered socially awkward in their societies.
– happybuddha
Jun 5 '13 at 13:13












@happybuddha I think that OP meant "pervert" when they wrote "rearranging". In Italy, the "grattata ai coglioni" (scratch "it" to not have bad luck) is considered boorish and vulgar, they do not do it in the trousers, and it does not involve keeping the hand there. To be clear: it is a completely different thing than what this thread is about.
– ignis
Aug 14 '14 at 20:26





@happybuddha I think that OP meant "pervert" when they wrote "rearranging". In Italy, the "grattata ai coglioni" (scratch "it" to not have bad luck) is considered boorish and vulgar, they do not do it in the trousers, and it does not involve keeping the hand there. To be clear: it is a completely different thing than what this thread is about.
– ignis
Aug 14 '14 at 20:26











1 Answer
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up vote
11
down vote














How best would I approach this?




In the US, this sort of thing is best handled by HR - they are trained professionals.



Either the individual is unaware of his habit, unaware that anyone notices him, is aware and doesn't care that others see, or is intentionally trying to make others uncomfortable.



If this makes you feel uneasy, your best bet is to chat privately with your local HR rep. He/she is trained in handling these sorts of awkward situations, and can intervene on your behalf and probably find a way to get the individual to change his behavior, while allowing you to remain anonymous.



Depending on the specifics of the situation, the HR rep will make a note of the behavior and follow-up to ensure the situation is eventually resolved.






share|improve this answer
















  • 2




    +1; the best way to approach this person is to walk the other way to the HR department.
    – KeithS
    Jun 5 '13 at 21:49










  • How about look the other way whenever possible ?
    – sid smith
    Jul 5 '14 at 0:41










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1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes








1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

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active

oldest

votes








up vote
11
down vote














How best would I approach this?




In the US, this sort of thing is best handled by HR - they are trained professionals.



Either the individual is unaware of his habit, unaware that anyone notices him, is aware and doesn't care that others see, or is intentionally trying to make others uncomfortable.



If this makes you feel uneasy, your best bet is to chat privately with your local HR rep. He/she is trained in handling these sorts of awkward situations, and can intervene on your behalf and probably find a way to get the individual to change his behavior, while allowing you to remain anonymous.



Depending on the specifics of the situation, the HR rep will make a note of the behavior and follow-up to ensure the situation is eventually resolved.






share|improve this answer
















  • 2




    +1; the best way to approach this person is to walk the other way to the HR department.
    – KeithS
    Jun 5 '13 at 21:49










  • How about look the other way whenever possible ?
    – sid smith
    Jul 5 '14 at 0:41














up vote
11
down vote














How best would I approach this?




In the US, this sort of thing is best handled by HR - they are trained professionals.



Either the individual is unaware of his habit, unaware that anyone notices him, is aware and doesn't care that others see, or is intentionally trying to make others uncomfortable.



If this makes you feel uneasy, your best bet is to chat privately with your local HR rep. He/she is trained in handling these sorts of awkward situations, and can intervene on your behalf and probably find a way to get the individual to change his behavior, while allowing you to remain anonymous.



Depending on the specifics of the situation, the HR rep will make a note of the behavior and follow-up to ensure the situation is eventually resolved.






share|improve this answer
















  • 2




    +1; the best way to approach this person is to walk the other way to the HR department.
    – KeithS
    Jun 5 '13 at 21:49










  • How about look the other way whenever possible ?
    – sid smith
    Jul 5 '14 at 0:41












up vote
11
down vote










up vote
11
down vote










How best would I approach this?




In the US, this sort of thing is best handled by HR - they are trained professionals.



Either the individual is unaware of his habit, unaware that anyone notices him, is aware and doesn't care that others see, or is intentionally trying to make others uncomfortable.



If this makes you feel uneasy, your best bet is to chat privately with your local HR rep. He/she is trained in handling these sorts of awkward situations, and can intervene on your behalf and probably find a way to get the individual to change his behavior, while allowing you to remain anonymous.



Depending on the specifics of the situation, the HR rep will make a note of the behavior and follow-up to ensure the situation is eventually resolved.






share|improve this answer













How best would I approach this?




In the US, this sort of thing is best handled by HR - they are trained professionals.



Either the individual is unaware of his habit, unaware that anyone notices him, is aware and doesn't care that others see, or is intentionally trying to make others uncomfortable.



If this makes you feel uneasy, your best bet is to chat privately with your local HR rep. He/she is trained in handling these sorts of awkward situations, and can intervene on your behalf and probably find a way to get the individual to change his behavior, while allowing you to remain anonymous.



Depending on the specifics of the situation, the HR rep will make a note of the behavior and follow-up to ensure the situation is eventually resolved.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered Jun 4 '13 at 11:05









Joe Strazzere

224k107661930




224k107661930







  • 2




    +1; the best way to approach this person is to walk the other way to the HR department.
    – KeithS
    Jun 5 '13 at 21:49










  • How about look the other way whenever possible ?
    – sid smith
    Jul 5 '14 at 0:41












  • 2




    +1; the best way to approach this person is to walk the other way to the HR department.
    – KeithS
    Jun 5 '13 at 21:49










  • How about look the other way whenever possible ?
    – sid smith
    Jul 5 '14 at 0:41







2




2




+1; the best way to approach this person is to walk the other way to the HR department.
– KeithS
Jun 5 '13 at 21:49




+1; the best way to approach this person is to walk the other way to the HR department.
– KeithS
Jun 5 '13 at 21:49












How about look the other way whenever possible ?
– sid smith
Jul 5 '14 at 0:41




How about look the other way whenever possible ?
– sid smith
Jul 5 '14 at 0:41












 

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