A woman has shamed a businessman after he made an inappropriate comment on one of her LinkedIn photos.
When you post a photo of yourself on a professional photo, the last thing you want to be described as is 'doable'.
But that's what recruitment consultant Sarah Jay had to endure, when she posted a photo from a black-tie work event in August on the work-oriented social media platform.
In fact, when she confronted him, he said it was her fault for having a 'sexy' profile picture.
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The Brit was left 'infuriated', with the photo showing Sarah smiling at the camera, wearing a long black formal dress.
She would later post on LinkedIn to expose the businessman's gross behaviour, with the damning caption 'the reality of being a woman on LinkedIn'.
Though the majority praised her for speaking out, a few others criticised her for the photo not being 'professional' in the first place.
The Ipswich-based recruitment consultant, 24, highlighted that it wasn't 'revealing in any way', adding: "But even if it was, it doesn't mean you're able to say those sorts of comments. It makes you feel disgusting.
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"I don't want him thinking of me that way from a professional photo that was taken at a work event."
She revealed that he was removed as a connection soon after for his unprofessional behaviour, as he tried to justify that it was 'sexy' and not fit for a professional platform.
"Even though I shouldn't have to justify myself I felt like I kind of had to," she admitted.
The man simply wrote 'you're so doable', which she replied to, calling his comment 'derogatory'.
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"I'm open to receiving compliments, that's absolutely fine. But keep it professional and there's no need to make vulgar comments saying I'm 'doable'. It's not nice," she highlighted. "On a professional platform I want to focus on my professional skills. It is not a dating site."
Eventually writing a follow up post to the situation, she said that her main goal was to 'spread awareness' after receiving 'vulgar, weird messages from men on LinkedIn' in the past, as well as other social media platforms.
She also reported his profile and let his workplace know of his behaviour.
Jay said that she's not the only one experiencing these 'gross' messages, and while some may have blurred the man's name and photo, she kept it visible as she wants it to be known that 'this person who works for this company is disgraceful'.
Her professional response was because she was representing her company and trying to stay in a job, as she simply said: "He's representing his company and I'm representing mine."
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"If it was one of my private social media accounts I probably wouldn't have remained so calm," the consultant admitted.
Jay then opened up on how being a working young woman can be difficult, saying: "It's horrible. Yes, I'm a woman. I'm a younger woman as well and I do have quite a few tattoos which a few people do point out. There's a certain way to say things and to compliment, not in a vulgar or predatory way."
"With recruitment sometimes it's a bit of a male-dominated career. I've had a few vulgar comments even in the office before when I've worked in recruitment previously," she added.
"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."
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She concluded by explaining that those remarks can be 'damaging to the platform', adding: "People are on there and they like to share work experience and get to know their connections more within a professional manner."
"If I go to any more work events, I might think 'what if i wear this and people think it's not appropriate or not professional'.
"It does take an effect on things to post and things to go out to work events," Jay admitted.
In the comments, one user said she 'absolutely' didn't need to explain her actions, while another added that it was 'shocking'.
A third wrote: "There's no need for anyone to behave like that on a platform or even in public."
But some were not so supportive, as a different user shared: "Is he wrong? Yes. Is your profile pic professional? No."
A fifth claimed: "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. It's part of the game, no? And let's not always go down the 'being a woman' avenue."
Topics: Social Media, UK News
Joshua Nair