So apparently there’s uber sexual harassment at…Uber.

Hard to open news sites this past week and not run into this headline. Essentially, a former engineer for Uber, the ride-share de facto taxi company, posted a blog turned exposé on the culture of sexism and sexual harassment that goes on at Uber. Once the blog went viral and #DeleteUber twitter campaigns started gaining ground, CEO Travis Kalanick responded with a few steps that looked appropriate publically. Whether the development of these steps, which include an independent investigation by former Attorney General Eric Holder, a promise to root out the responsible parties, and core changes to the culture to ensure ‘systemic’ issues like this no longer occur, amount to anything remains to be seen.

The grass isn’t always greener, especially if you are a woman working at a tech company. There’s really no excuse for sexual harassment and sexism in today’s workplace. Most companies, in an effort to reduce their own legal liability, have taken to running education classes regarding this and other discrimination practices for years. You’d think it’d be common sense, but when headlines like this occur, it’s surprising to me how little enforcement there is.

Just a quick text flowchart to navigate this issue at your own workplace:

Re Gossip:

Want to talk about someone?

Yes: Is the conversation about that person about their work or personal life?

Work: Is it directly to them, or to their supervisor?

Yes: Then talk away.

No: Don’t.

Personal life: Are they present to hear you?

Yes: With their permission, talk away.

No: Don’t

No: Then don’t.

Re Discrimination:

Is what you are about to say going to single out any individual or group in any way?

Yes: Don’t do it.

What if it’s a joke?—DOES NOT MATTER, DO NOT DO IT

No: Can what you are about to say be considered offensive to someone?

Yes: Don’t Do it

No: Talk away.

Sexual harassment is a little bit more complicated, as it is defined as UNWANTED sexual advances by coworkers, with further complexities because it still counts as harassment if anyone who hears or sees you and is upset or offended. My advice is err on the side of caution, keep all advances outside of work (and ONLY as far as is acceptable to the other party, including respecting denials (and then, if you are denied, be a grown up and professional and let it go, don’t let it affect your attitude towards that person)).