# Sex at the workplace. Are there situations where its ok? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 18, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-at-the-workplace-are-there-situations-where-its-ok/713019 "2015-02-18T17:05:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-at-the-workplace-are-there-situations-where-its-ok/713019/41 "2015-02-19T03:59:03Z")
Maybe depends on the culture. Certainly, was not uncommon in Japan in the 1990’s for execs above a certain level based on my experience. And certainly not uncommon for Japanese execs in China pretty recently - again based on my experience. I also know plenty of Chinese execs who have this sort of arrangement. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-at-the-workplace-are-there-situations-where-its-ok/713019/42 "2015-02-19T04:04:21Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Funny how this isn’t an issue if a boss and staff member begin dating. Sex still occurs but since no money is involved there is no problem. I guess the intent is what matters. Dating is different from prostitution. Of course it’s an issue at most companies. There are often strict guidelines about office relationships. However, it’s still quite different that what you’re proposing. If a couple breaks up it shouldn’t affect the business. If the hired sex assistant decides she no longer wants her body used that way she’s out of a job. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-at-the-workplace-are-there-situations-where-its-ok/713019/43 "2015-02-19T04:27:09Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’ve heard European executives sometimes have these types of arrangements. I don’t know if its true or not. This is very, _very_ common in Thailand and not just with executives. Often even the house maid is expected to perform “special services.” ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-at-the-workplace-are-there-situations-where-its-ok/713019/44 "2015-02-19T06:34:58Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Funny how this isn’t an issue if a boss and staff member begin dating. Sex still occurs but since no money is involved there is no problem. I guess the intent is what matters. Dating is different from prostitution. I reckon you have never a course on sexual harassment at work. No, this is not okay. Yes, it used to happen all the time, and still does - which is why we have the laws. Your OP can be written another way - a woman who is already an employee is offered a position under a boss (pun intended) with a big raise. You think that’s okay? The Sunday Times magazine last weekend had a long story about a rich and fairly young guy who mentored a woman at Stanford in a Business class, and then started sleeping with her. All sorts of accusations and lawsuits are flying. I don’t think he even could give her a grade, so this is less blatant than professor/student relationships. But because he was too stupid to figure out this was not a good thing to do he’s in deep shit, even if he is totally innocent of the nasty charges she’s presenting. The basic principle is that you don’t have relationships with people you have power over. Period. Mad Men is not an ethics course. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-at-the-workplace-are-there-situations-where-its-ok/713019/45 "2015-02-19T14:04:43Z")
> [@Grestarian](#): > > It seems to me that the latter obviates the former. “Do me or lose your job” isn’t consensual regardless of the genders involved. If “C’mere, I want it.” plus “Not right now.” for whatever reason, trivial or critical = “You’re fired” then consent has gone out the window. > > And the original premise seems exceedingly abusable: I let you tell me “No” three times last week. My potential clients here think you’re hot, so do them here and now and I’ll overlook your earlier insubordination. Otherwise, pack your desk and leave now. > > –G! > Stop Using Sex > As a Weapon > …–Pat Benatar > …_Sex as a Weapon_ But I thought she said Love is a Battlefield. What else _could_ you use as a weapon? ---
**Author:** ![Marion\_Wormer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Marion\_Wormer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marion_Wormer)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-at-the-workplace-are-there-situations-where-its-ok/713019/46 "2015-02-20T01:14:19Z")
Okay, if this is in the US, here are the official definitions according to US government practice (I’ve been tested on this every f\*g year for a decade, stupid CBTs) 1. Paid for, consensual. Not sexual harassment. 2. Not consensual, but quid pro quo, or sex for promotions…sexual harassment. 3. Paid for or free, consensual with the boss…no sexual harassment BUT it is ‘creating a hostile work environment’ since the other personnel in the office know it’s going on (and they do, yes they do) and see that it’s the only way to get ahead is on your back. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-at-the-workplace-are-there-situations-where-its-ok/713019.md?page=2)