Company Blog

That’s NOT what she said

by Adam Zack — November 29, 2017

Once funny now offensive, and for good reason.

Most people have seen the TV show “The Office.” One of Michael Scott’s (Steve Carell) famous and most frequently used responses in conversations were “That’s what she said.” A few examples: “Wow, this is really hard.” That’s what she said. “I want you to think about your future with this company. I want you to think about it long and hard.” That’s what she said. You get it – it takes a perfectly legitimate and benign statement and turns it into something sexually related and out of context. I can remember the comment being said going all the way back to the movie Wayne’s World. And it was always funny. The key word is was. Change is good. Change is necessary. Change is inevitable. And let me tell you, change in the workplace environment where jokes and innuendo like “That’s what she said” were funny and happened every single day has come. And it’s come with the publicity and awareness that is almost unprecedented. The lawyers are ready to move in with lawsuits and what might have been tolerated in the past is now on the service and making uncomfortable situations in the workplace reportable offenses. What was once funny is now offensive. And for good reason. The bottom line is that as owners and managers the days of allowing – or participating in – joking of a sexual nature are over. Period. Just like taking a stand against gossip, we have to take a stand against sexual innuendo. Period. No gray areas, no maybe it was offensive, maybe it wasn’t, no “can’t you take a joke?” It’s just got to stop, or there will be hell (and lawsuits) to pay. I told an employee the other day “If you wouldn’t say it to your mother – no, if you wouldn’t say it to my mother – then don’t say it. Leave it at home, or at the bar with your buddies, but leave it out of my store, because I’m the one who will have to pay the piper when he comes calling.

“That joke isn’t funny anymore, it’s too close to home and it’s too near the bone.”
– The Smiths