Recruitment marketing consultant shames businessman who referred to as her ‘doable’ on LinkedIn after she posted image from black tie work occasion

A recruitment consultant has publicly shamed a businessman who branded her ‘doable’ on LinkedIn – after he blamed her for the row by saying she had 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.

But the 24-year-old was left ‘infuriated’ when a LinkedIn user privately responded to the post saying ‘you’re 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.

She decided to expose the user’s ‘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 man’s 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. It’s not like it was revealing in any way.

‘But even if it was, it doesn’t mean you’re able to say those sorts of comments. It makes you feel disgusting.

‘I don’t 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. I’d already told him ‘this isn’t professional. This needs to stop. I’ll be removing you as a connection’.

‘He still tried to justify it because of my profile picture being ‘sexy’ and it shouldn’t be on a professional platform.

‘That’s why he thought it was acceptable to say such vulgar things because of my profile picture.

‘Even though I shouldn’t have to justify myself I felt like I kind of had to.

‘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.

‘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 user’s ‘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 I’d had quite a few vulgar, weird messages from men on LinkedIn previously. 

‘It’s not just LinkedIn, it has been other social media platforms as well.

‘Obviously receiving messages like this is gross. You don’t expect it, especially from LinkedIn, but it is quite common.

‘It’s disgusting that other people do get things like that coming through. I do see other posts about it as well.

‘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 they’re representing them, then why can’t 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 that’s why I also posted it to show that you just have to be a bigger person.

‘He’s representing his company and I’m representing mine.

‘If it was one of my private social media accounts I probably wouldn’t have remained so calm, but because I’m on LinkedIn I’m representing my own company.

‘I don’t 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 I’m overstepping a line.

‘I don’t want to put my job at risk. They are such vulgar comments, but it’s still my company I’m representing on LinkedIn.’

The 24-year-old revealed she has even dealt with ‘vulgar’ comments in the workplace.

Sarah said: ‘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 in the office when I’ve 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.

‘There’s 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 you’re receiving messages like this you don’t really want to sit there and post – especially if you’re going to get comments like that.’

Many users praised Sarah’s response in the comments.

One user said: ‘You absolutely don’t need to explain or justify your opinion to anyone.’

Another user said: ‘There’s 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. It’s part of the game, no? And let’s not always go down the ‘being a woman’ avenue.’