Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Bill Clinton Scandal - SANITY CHECK -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: dougjn who wrote (5163)	9/24/1998 12:15:00 PM
From: j_b	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 67261

<< The idea that sexual relations between someone higher and someone lower in an organization just might, almost or entirely automatically, constitute sexual harassment is quite fantastic. >> Ooops - if I gave that impression, I didn't express myself well. What I was getting at was that if there are relations between a supervisor and a subordinate, and there is a person in that same chain of command that gets passed over for advancement in favor of the one with the relationship, a lawsuit is a very real possibility. That doesn't mean there was harassment, only that in our litigious society, and the way juries are currently ruling, there is a large element of risk for the company. Just the cost of defending against such a claim, let alone the bad publicity, encourage employers to adopt a self-defense mentality. Without addressing the specifics of your suggestions (I really haven't given much thought to them, because I think it is unlikely any change will occur any time soon), I agree with you about the need to reform the laws and practices on the issue of harassment. Unfortunately, the risk is real - for a fun read, look at Ann Coulter's book about Clinton. She includes a fair amount about sexual harassment cases, and includes just some of these types of cases. Disclaimer - I am not promoting the conclusions Ann Coulter draws, but it helps in the discussion if all sides are considered.