Recruitment consultant shames businessman who called her doable on LinkedIn after she posted picture from black tie work event
A recruitment consultant has publicly shamed a businessman who branded her doable on LinkedIn - after he blamed her for having a sexy profile picture.
A recruitment consultant has publicly shamed a businessman who branded her doable on LinkedIn - after he blamed her for having a sexy profile picture.
Sarah Jay, who works as a healthcare recruitment consultant, shared a photograph from a black-tie work event in August on the career-focused social media platform.
However, the 24-year-old was left infuriated when a LinkedIn user privately responded to the post saying youre so doable.
After telling the man to keep his vulgar opinions to himself he justified his behaviour and blamed her for sharing a sexy profile picture.
The professional picture shows Sarah smiling at the camera while wearing a long, black formal dress.
Recruitment consultant Sarah Jay, 24, received a private message from a businessman telling her youre so doable after posting this image on LinkedIn
Sarah Jay decided to expose the unacceptable messages she had received to other users of the career-focused social media platform
She decided to expose the users unacceptable behaviour in a public post captioned the reality of being a woman on LinkedIn and urged people not to send messages without thinking of the implications.
Many users praised her for speaking out against the shocking messages and the majority condemned the mans behaviour - but a small number suggested her pictures were not professional enough for the site.
Sarah, from Ipswich, Suffolk, said: It infuriates me. It is a professional photo. It was at a work event. Its not like it was revealing in any way.
But even if it was, it doesnt mean youre able to say those sorts of comments. It makes you feel disgusting.
I dont want him thinking of me that way from a professional photo taken at a work event.
It was just him carrying it on for no reason. Id already told him this isnt professional. This needs to stop. Ill be removing you as a connection.
He still tried to justify it because of my profile picture being sexy and it shouldnt be on a professional platform.
Thats why he thought it was acceptable to say such vulgar things because of my profile picture.
Even though I shouldnt have to justify myself I felt like I kind of had to.
Im open to receiving compliments, thats absolutely fine. But keep it professional and theres no need to make vulgar comments saying Im doable. Its not nice.
On a professional platform I want to focus on my professional skills. It is not a dating site.
The recruitment consultant admitted she wanted to expose the LinkedIn users disgraceful language to spread awareness before blocking and reporting his profile, as well as notifying his workplace.
Sarah said: The only reason why I did post it was because Id had quite a few vulgar, weird messages from men on LinkedIn previously.
Its not just LinkedIn, it has been other social media platforms as well.
Obviously receiving messages like this is gross. You dont expect it, especially from LinkedIn, but it is quite common.
Its disgusting that other people do get things like that coming through. I do see other posts about it as well.
Sarahs post has become a talking point with many praising her for speaking out against the shocking messages - but a small number suggested her pictures were not professional enough for the site
A lot of people scribble out their name and picture to try and protect them[selves].
But I thought if someone can be vulgar like that and go against their company when theyre representing them, then why cant I post about it and post their name and photo and make it known that this person who works for this company is disgraceful?
Sarah added that she felt she had handled the uncomfortable situation in the right way.
Sarah said: I did handle it quite professionally, so thats why I also posted it to show that you just have to be a bigger person.
Hes representing his company and Im representing mine.
If it was one of my private social media accounts I probably wouldnt have remained so calm, but because Im on LinkedIn Im representing my own company.
I dont want to come across rude to a certain extent or say horrible things which then obviously would cause backlash for my company as well and could cause me to possibly lose my job if Im overstepping a line.
I dont want to put my job at risk. They are such vulgar comments, but its still my company Im representing on LinkedIn.
The 24-year-old revealed she has even dealt with vulgar comments in the workplace.
Sarah said: Its horrible. Yes, Im a woman. Im a younger woman as well and I do have quite a few , which a few people do point out. Theres a certain way to say things and to compliment, not in a vulgar or predatory way.
With recruitment sometimes its a bit of a male-dominated career. Ive had a few vulgar comments in the office when Ive worked in recruitment previously.
Employees saying things about me or even going through my personal social media as well and things being said about me. It can be degrading.
Theres no need for that to be in the workplace.
Sarah added: [LinkedIn] users like this are damaging for the platform. People are on there and like to share work experience and get to know their connections within a professional manner.
When youre receiving messages like this you dont really want to sit there and post - especially if youre going to get comments like that.
Many users praised Sarahs response in the comments.
One user said: You absolutely dont need to explain or justify your opinion to anyone.
Another user said: Theres no need for anyone to behave like that on a platform or even in public.
A third user said: That is shocking.
A fourth user said: For me the worst part is the failed attempt to spin this to your profile picture.
Some users however suggested her outfit was not professional enough for the platform.
One said: Is he wrong? Yes. Is your profile pic professional? No.
Another said: You are getting interest and comments, which is ultimately the reason why you are here and why you are posting this.
If you decide to post a picture, post an opinion or a comment, others will judge. Its part of the game, no? And lets not always go down the "being a woman" avenue.
