Body No Be Wood: Implications of Office Liaisons in Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
Bridget Jones’s Diary is an amusing account of a 30 something single woman with a middle level publishing job, whose obsession with her physical appearance is revealed in a “diary” in which she records her daily intake of alcohol, cigarettes and calories.
At the beginning of the year, Bridget sets herself new goals aimed at self improvement, career development and forming a mature relationship. Quite early in the year, she starts to pine for her boss, Daniel, with whom she begins to exchange lurid e-mails. Bridget enjoys being “sexually targeted” by Daniel, who subverts his role as her manager and takes full advantage of the situation, exploiting her lack of self worth. Daniel treats Bridget like an object to satisfy his pleasure, whims and caprices. He does not really regard her as a valuable asset to the organisation nor does he take into any serious consideration his role as a manager who should be responsive to her developmental needs and career progression. Bridget on the other hand is blind to Daniel’s selfishness and manipulation of her emotions until she discovers he has been unfaithful to her. Not surprisingly, their relationship becomes estranged to the extent that Bridget finds it impossible to go on working with Daniel and this makes her search for a new job.
Although Helen Fielding’s novel presents the comic side of an office liaison in which “sexploitation” is actively encouraged by the “victim.” It, however, brings to the fore issues around sexual harassment in offices where human resource management is weak or non-existent. This book raises questions on the implications of office liaisons for organisations.
At the beginning of the year, Bridget sets herself new goals aimed at self improvement, career development and forming a mature relationship. Quite early in the year, she starts to pine for her boss, Daniel, with whom she begins to exchange lurid e-mails. Bridget enjoys being “sexually targeted” by Daniel, who subverts his role as her manager and takes full advantage of the situation, exploiting her lack of self worth. Daniel treats Bridget like an object to satisfy his pleasure, whims and caprices. He does not really regard her as a valuable asset to the organisation nor does he take into any serious consideration his role as a manager who should be responsive to her developmental needs and career progression. Bridget on the other hand is blind to Daniel’s selfishness and manipulation of her emotions until she discovers he has been unfaithful to her. Not surprisingly, their relationship becomes estranged to the extent that Bridget finds it impossible to go on working with Daniel and this makes her search for a new job.
Although Helen Fielding’s novel presents the comic side of an office liaison in which “sexploitation” is actively encouraged by the “victim.” It, however, brings to the fore issues around sexual harassment in offices where human resource management is weak or non-existent. This book raises questions on the implications of office liaisons for organisations.
posted by Wunmi Segun at 3:41 AM
3 Comments:
Office relationships in most cases always end up with someone been hurt or feeling used(usually the junior staff).Professionalism is also thrown out of the window as favouritism becomes the order of the day . This is especially true in our society as the juniour staff expects something in return.HR has a strong part to play here and should caution parties involved on how the organisation may be affected eventually.
Office relationships in most cases always end up with someone been hurt or feeling used(usually the junior staff).Professionalism is also thrown out of the window as favouritism becomes the order of the day . This is especially true in our society as the juniour staff expects something in return.HR has a part to play by informing parties of how the organisation may be affected in the long run.
NOT ALL OFFICE RELATIONSHIPS END IN DISASTER BUT MOST DO. I BELIEVE BOTH 'PARTIES' SHOULD ALWAYS DISCUSS THE RISKS INVOLVED AND BE READY TO ACCEPT EACH OTHER'S DECISION WHEN IT COMES TO AN END.
Post a Comment
<< Home