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August 17, 2011
Strauss-Kahn and Office Harassment
With the media frenzy surrounding the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case, how will it affect women in the workplace when it comes to sexual harassment?
Some expect the case against the former International Monetary Fund head to help break the code of silence about workplace sexual harassment and aggression from powerful men.
Despite attacks on the woman's credibility, “this case has cast a spotlight on the pervasiveness of workplace sexual harassment and assault,” Linda Meric, national director of 9 to 5, tells PINK. “In standing up for her rights, the accuser set a powerful example for other women experiencing harassment or assault, no matter [their] occupations or industries."
Like Strauss-Kahn, many high-profile men seem to be getting a pass: in the aftermath of their scandals, Anthony Weiner went to rehab and Arnold Schwarzenegger hopped a plane to Austria. But the women aren’t tolerating their bad behavior. Maria Shriver filed for divorce, Weiner’s pregnant wife moved out and Kahn's ordeal motivated other alleged victims of his to speak out.
When reporting harassment, “the first thing is to say to the [offender] that his actions are unwelcome,” says Justine Lisser, attorney at the EEOC. (The organization’s data shows charges of sexual harassment have been steadily declining over the past decade.) She then recommends reporting harassment to HR or a supervisor.
“It's a good idea to keep track of the dates, times and circumstances of the harassment and the steps taken to complain about it,” adds Lisser.
Need someone to talk to about work harassment? The Job Survival Helpline for women can talk you through the steps to take. Plus, you can learn more about the definitions of sexual harassment from the Equal Rights Advocates.
Bonus PINK Link: Check out our expert blogger’s take on men behaving badly.
By Cynthia Good
"Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles." Ralph Waldo Emerson
*Supporting images from FreeDigitalPhotos.net, photostock and Salvatore Vuono
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Comments
stereotyping women leaders
Stereotypes turn everybody off. And, yes, they get used more for "out of power" groups than "in power" groups--i.e., more for women than for men. I avoid stereotyping leaderships styles by talking about "masculine" and "feminine" approaches. Masculine and feminine show up along a long continuum. We can define feminine approaches by what the average women does or what women are more likely to do--and masculine approaches by what most men tend to do. Men and women both use both masculine and feminine approaches. Both have strengths and limitations.
It is natural that masculine approaches are more identified with leadership since men became leaders in the corporate world decades before women arrived in numbers. The challenge is to move the needle so both masculine and feminine approaches are honored and leveraged. With more women leaders it is more likely we'll see a balance of approaches. And that's a very good thing for business.
Awareness of the two approaches and of what is most effective in a situation can help women succeed and be more inclusive leaders. But we also need to watch out for those "double binds"! Caroline Turner www.difference-works.com
Sexual harassment
The male attorney who harassed me and other women in the office was the only attorney or color on staff; after I complained about some egregious behavior, he was told to not talk to me anymore, and I was supposed to understand that he maybe didn't understand the culture because he was Nigerian, although he'd been born and educated in the USA and spent much of his life here. I ended up quitting (because he was subtly finding ways to harass me) and suing for sexual harassment. The law firm and I settled out of court. Unfortunately, I only sued the law firm and not the attorney as well, so he only got an admonishment.
I lost a great-paying job I'd worked at for more than eight years and relationships I'd built up. It was devastating to me, and I grieved over my losses for a long time. He went on to be the Human Rights director for our city and, due to terms of the settlement, I couldn't tell anyone what he'd done.
Sexual harassment, Part 2
I forgot to mention in my previous post that after seeing how I was treated, the other women he harassed were afraid to speak up. Several secretaries and a paralegal quit and two female attorneys left our office to work elsewhere because they didn't want to be associated with him.
Worse, all our clients were low-income and I worried about my harasser taking advantage of their vulnerability. Sadly, my fears came true, but the clients worried about losing representation so they wouldn't complain.
Strauss-Kahn and Office Harassment
Don't confuse sexual harassment and the activities of ex-Congressman Anthony Weiner who was sexting on our taxpayer dollars and Schwarzenegger's betrayal of his 25-year marriage.
I was harassed by a US Congressional when I worked on "the Hill" years ago because I wouldn't have sex with him. I changed the course of my career and it was the best thing I ever did, though it was plenty difficult. The wives of these two schmucks have to rework their entire lives - I can't even imagine the strength it will take - though I know they will muster it and they will be far better off down the road.
Cassandra
Unfortunately too many women buy into the defense used in harassment cases. Our corporate counsel summed it up nicely - the woman who complains is either a "nut or a slut". Any co-worker who corroborates has effectively put themselves on the blacklist too. That blacklist will extend to job references even 7 years after leaving the firm and (wink wink) letting others in the industry know that they are not "a team player".
Perhaps it will change in 100 years, but its as bad today as it was 40 years ago, there is just a politically correct veneer attached. How can you tell?
In a blog attached to this site, the author writes about Anthony Wiener's wife "enduring the humiliation". Nope - he should endure the humiliation. His wife should treat him as a political liability and use the incident for her own political gain.
Workplace Harrassment
From 2006 until 2008, I was District Manager for a fortune 500 insurance company. During that time, I experienced very sexual harrassment from my manager. I told him that his advances were unprofessional, unwelcomed, and unsanitary! At the time, I was afraid to report his behavior to field human resources because I feared losing my position. I was miserable, until the day he put in his two week notice.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn
Dear Cynthia,
What do you make of Anne Sinclair, DSK's wife who stands by him through thick and thin?
Peggy Parks