Playing Dumb With Regards to Sexual Harassment Doesn’t Work in 2017

The latest to join the likes of FOX’s Bill O’Reilly, and Sean Hannity, filmmaker Harvey Weinstein, and countless others, is NBC’s Mark Halpern, accused of sexual harassment in the workplace 

He responded to accusations, by five women, saying:

“During this period, I did pursue relationships with women that I worked with, including some junior to me, I now understand from these accounts that my behavior was inappropriate and caused others pain. For that, I am deeply sorry and I apologize. Under the circumstances, I’m going to take a step back from my day-to-day work while I properly deal with this situation.”

He had no idea his behavior was inappropriate. 
Here I have been under the misapprehension that for the past decade (or three) information on what is considered to be sexual harassment and what is inappropriate and what constitutes unacceptable conduct in the workplace is explained by most corporations in employee handbooks, which are presented to each and every individual at time of hiring, and often a signature is required by the employee in acknowledgment that they recieved a copy. Many companies go further by reaffirming their intolerance for workplace harassment periodically with hard copy reminders, which also require a signature.

Companies take these measures because they are liable for sexual harassment and subject to legal ramifications if they do not provide a safe work environment for their employees. Sexual harassment is sex discrimination. Companies who employ more than 15 workers are held accountable under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Companies with fewer than 15 employees, are not excluded from liability. Those employees are protected under individual state laws.

It is in the interest of every business, if they want to avoid lawsuits, to ensure employees are clear on what they can and can not do. These laws are why, for example, there are no nude magazine photos pinned to cork boards as there might have been in the 60’s, 70’s, and possibly even into the 80’s… yes, that was an issue back in the day.

If you are a victim of ignorance, as all the men accused above claim to be, not sure whether or not rubbing your junk up against a co-worker is considered sexual harassment, I want to help you… because I am a humanitarian.

I have provided a link, for you to peruse at your leisure, which may or may not clear up your confusion. Although it is likely you have a copy of the information in your employee handbook. 

https://www.workplacefairness.org/sexual-harassment-legal-rights

How these predators manage to comprehend all other aspects of their jobs is astounding. It would seem they suffer from selective stupidity.

___________________________

<a href=”https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/surreal/”>Surreal</a&gt;

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