[jen1447]

This is a continuation of the discussion that had started in one of the closed threads that I thought was interesting. Catching it up first .....

If he cannot control himself so that he doesn't have to masturbate during the day while at his job at his desk, then indeed the man needs help to deal with self-control issues, and with what is appropriate and not appropriate behaviour.

This man needs to learn proper behaviour and will probably get fired from this job if he doesn't change. Whether he has an office or not it is not appropriate.

Claret is right. Masturbating at one's desk is not normal behavior, and doing so in an open office is really not acceptable anywhere. There is a big difference between having a strong healthy interest in sex, and not being able to control ones self. While I'm sure that occasionally some people will slip off to the restroom to take care of themselves if they really can't stand to wait - I think its normally very rare.

Hm, maybe not so rare ...

OK, my bias is showing, I think its OK for women, but not for men to masturbate at work. (not defending my feelings here, just stating them)

I tried looking up the survey I read this in but of course I can't find it now ....it was Cosmo or something like that but they found that the rate of female masturbation in the workplace was significant. I should say prevalence - it wasn't that it was happening all the time, but that I think a majority of women (in their survey anyway) had admitted to doing it.

The difference here is a bit of a double standard imo (see the double standard thread), but sorry, I agree with rcoreyus anyway. This sounds familiar like I said it before recently, but there are dynamics at play that make it fundamentally different - guys have to produce their penis presumably, which would be potentially disruptive, but women can do it much more discreetly. I do.

There is the following article from this past January 2014, an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, by James Adonis. . .
Look, maybe it’s just the types of people I hang out with, but recent straw polls among my circle of friends have revealed a majority have masturbated at work. This includes not only me but also a few of the girls, one of whom says she’s even done it hands-free at her desk without her colleagues noticing. This isn’t as uncommon as you might think.

A survey of 1000 guys conducted two years ago by Glamour Magazine revealed 31 per cent have masturbated at the office. Among women, the rate is elusive since no poll of a decent sample size has been conducted recently.

Let’s assume, for argument’s sake, that the workplace masturbation rate of one-third is standard across both genders. When that statistic is compared with other surveys, what you find is more people masturbating in the workplace than those who fall asleep (29 per cent), steal office stationery (25 per cent), and arrive late once a week (16 per cent).

There’s a curious case from Brazil that takes this to the extreme. In 2011, a woman by the name of Ana Catarian Bezerra won the legal right to masturbate at work. This victory came after she took her employer to court, claiming a chemical imbalance resulted in a level of hyper-sexuality so high it could only be relieved by masturbating 47 times a day. With drugs and legal permission to do so, this was reduced to just 18 times a day.

From an empirical perspective, there haven’t been any studies conducted exclusively on this matter. The Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity journal makes a minor reference to sex addicts who masturbate in the bathroom or at their desk. But our discussion today is less about some kind of solipsistic addiction and more about the natural human inclination for people to relieve themselves when the need arises.

Another analysis in the same journal refers to the difficulty in branding workplace masturbation as a form of harassment. Since it usually doesn’t involve other parties, it’s very tricky to accuse someone of acting inappropriately towards a colleague when it’s usually a private act done discretely.

More often than not, the toilet cubicle is the location of choice for the eager masturbator whose actions, it could be argued, are far less discomfiting to hear and smell than, say, those of a defecator.

In the book Masturbation: The History of a Great Terror, authors Jean Stengers and Anne van Neck chart the growing social acceptability of the act. They begin with masturbation’s first entry as an official term in a French dictionary, defined as “an act which is unfortunately as well known as it is shameful”.

The definition goes on to suggest that masturbation is responsible for many illnesses including troubles with the nervous system, physical weaknesses, intellectual numbness, hypochondria, insensitivity, moral degeneration, sadness and suicide. Seriously.

Thankfully today we know better. Just last month, for example, academics from the University of Sydney released their findings detailing the many benefits of masturbation. In particular, there is evidence to suggest it can prevent or reduce the risk of prostate cancer, diabetes, cervical infections and even depression.

From a workplace perspective, we’ll have to just presume the potential benefits in the absence of any reputable studies. Surely – and this is purely hypothesising – the diminished stress resulting from an orgasm (even a solitary one) would have flow-on effects on productivity, engagement and morale arising from the now-calmer and happier employees.

Granted, most people can think of nothing less arousing than their place of work but there are those whose libido is unaffected by their surroundings. So long as they clean up after themselves, why should they be denied a happy ending?

Its not clear how to interpret 31% "have masturbated". I wouldn't be at all surprised that a lot of people have done it very occasionally. That is different form whether they do it frequently. I guess I don't object if it is done in a location where it really won't be detected - an unused restroom is OK, a cubicle seems really iffy.

There is an issue in the workplace that ideas about people can stick. At a conference one time, and highly placed coworker in my organization got very drunk. He is a bit older than me, and generally a very serious fellow. Anyway he started talking about how he wore lederhosen as a kid (he was Swiss /German), and how he liked them because they provided padding so it didn't hurt as much when his mother spanked him. I'm sorry but that is an image I can never get out of my mind......

Similarly if I were to stumble upon a female coworker masturbating in the office, it would be very difficult to not associate her with that very erotic image in the future. Those sorts of associations can be bad for someone's career.

But, masturbation can take many different forms, from merely rubbing up against a desk or a chair, to sitting at a computer and squeezing your knees or thighs together. It doesn't necessarily mean that a male has his penis out and is actively giving himself a hand-job or that a woman has her hand in her panties rubbing her clit. I believe that in this loosest sense more people actually do masturbate in the workplace.

However, if a man gets fired for masturbating at his desk at work then it is probably overt in nature and was obviously witnessed by someone.

Okay, ironically I can't comment just now but at least the groundwork is here.

[jen1447]

I think that Claret's last comment is key in pointing out the difference between men and women doing this, with the caveat that I'm not sure men can really do it hands-free. (At least I'm not aware of any who can, to completion so to speak.) Women can tho, not to mention the fact that in our case, even manual stimulation would be less overt anyway. (Hand in your lap vs. penis in your hand.) And last of all, women may and often do masturbate without actually orgasming or wanting to orgasm.

There's also the issue of potential liability on the part of the employer in trying to prove a case. Presumably a guy would leave sperm lying around that could be observed and collected as evidence if he was doing this at his desk, but a woman would have to receive a 'panty inspection' .....if anybody tried that with me I'd own the company a week later.

[rcoreyus]

I think the risk of being caught is not that you would be fired, but that it could create an unwanted image of you in your employer's eyes. As I mentioned in the older thread, its difficult to disassociate a strong image from a person.

Done privately in a restroom, I don't see a problem. Also don't forget that a lot of cubicle farms have surveillance cameras....

Women who can manage this at their desks without being noticed are welcome to do so, just be aware of the possible consequences. (like your boss asking if "he can help you with that..."). (sexual harassment, but not a case you could take to court).

[Claret]

I think that Claret's last comment is key in pointing out the difference between men and women doing this, with the caveat that I'm not sure men can really do it hands-free. (At least I'm not aware of any who can, to completion so to speak.) Women can tho, not to mention the fact that in our case, even manual stimulation would be less overt anyway. (Hand in your lap vs. penis in your hand.) And last of all, women may and often do masturbate without actually orgasming or wanting to orgasm.

There's also the issue of potential liability on the part of the employer in trying to prove a case. Presumably a guy would leave sperm lying around that could be observed and collected as evidence if he was doing this at his desk, but a woman would have to receive a 'panty inspection' .....if anybody tried that with me I'd own the company a week later.

But don't forget, not all masturbation ends up in a climax. Often it's just a bit of a stroking of the penis, women can caress their lady parts, and it's just for pleasure not necessarily for the climax.

[CHANDLERS WISH]

Sorry about that, the closed thread

But, isn't part of it also the "excitement" of being caught? As in, you know you won't if you have judged what you are doing carefully but there is also that slight chance.. Doing it at home, well in most cases you are in a situation whereby it's together, or ok in front of your partner or at a time when they are not there.

[rcoreyus]

this may be due to differences in male / female response, or just personal preference, but as a guy I only masturbate if I plan to climax. It may be very different for (some?) women. To me it is a form of sexual relief when other options are not available, so the point is lost if I don't finish.

But don't forget, not all masturbation ends up in a climax. Often it's just a bit of a stroking of the penis, women can caress their lady parts, and it's just for pleasure not necessarily for the climax.

[jen1447]

Sorry about that, the closed thread

But, isn't part of it also the "excitement" of being caught? As in, you know you won't if you have judged what you are doing carefully but there is also that slight chance.. Doing it at home, well in most cases you are in a situation whereby it's together, or ok in front of your partner or at a time when they are not there.

No worries CW, it needed to be closed.

And you're very right about the excitement of risk. I wouldn't say that's my primary motivator, but it's always a factor. I think that's much of the appeal of public sex for adventurous people.

[muffin70]

I will be honest and say I am a part time 'at work' masturbator....probably once or twice a month maybe?
Sometimes I get turned on and just feel the need to relieve myself - and go to the bathroom and masturbate over the toilet.
I don't see anything wrong with it becaise I am doing it in the toilet in secret and no-one knows I'm doing it

there was 1 time a few years ago at work on a friday afternoon where everyone had gone home and I was in the office by myself... I got bored and was looking up pictures of woman wearing silk scarves (not for bondage) on the internet - as I have a fetish for plus size woman wearing scarves.. and I began to stroke myself... I managed to get out my handkerchief in time and ended up blowing my load into the hanky!