Man Asks Female Co-Worker To Leave Him Alone, Sparks Misogyny Debate

OP, who struggles with discomfort around women due to past trauma, tries to limit interactions with a new female co-worker who persistently attempts to befriend him.

After politely avoiding her, he asks her to leave him alone, only for her to lash out, calling him misogynistic. OP, in therapy for his issues, wonders if he’s wrong for prioritizing his comfort.

This story probes workplace boundaries and personal trauma. Is OP the asshole for his request? Let’s dive into the details and see what the online community thinks.

This story highlights a conflict between personal boundaries and workplace professionalism. OP’s right to set boundaries due to trauma is valid, but singling out a female co-worker risks violating workplace anti-discrimination or anti-bullying policies.

HR expert Dr. Kenneth Matos notes, “Personal issues at work must not lead to unfair treatment based on gender or other protected characteristics” (SHRM Workplace Culture).

OP’s therapy efforts are commendable, but he needs strategies to engage professionally, like treating all colleagues neutrally. The co-worker’s push to make him open up was misguided, and her misogyny accusation was unconstructive.

Both could benefit from management or HR mediation. OP should continue therapy and consider discreetly discussing his challenges with his boss for support.

This case underscores balancing mental health with workplace responsibilities and fostering fair interactions.

Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:

Reddit is split, with some supporting OP’s boundaries and others criticizing his approach as unprofessional. Here’s a roundup of reactions.

Some criticize OP for treating women differently.

Some empathize but stress professional responsibility.

A few defend OP’s right to set boundaries.

OP isn’t entirely wrong for asking his female co-worker to leave him alone due to personal discomfort, but his visible avoidance of women risks workplace policy violations and perceptions of unfairness.

Reddit’s divided, with some supporting his boundaries and others urging him to address his trauma for professional integration. How can OP navigate this without impacting his co-worker or career? Have you faced challenges setting workplace boundaries? Share your stories!