Response to Maureen Sherry's NYT Piece

The behavior described in this article is appalling. Besides raising awareness about harassment in the financial workplace, a big takeaway from Maureen Sherry’s brave article is that continued indifference to sexual harassment in the workplace does just about as much for its victims as it does for the company – that is to say, indifference solves nothing. Victims of workplace harassment will continue to suffer, and corporations will continue to hand out settlements and have unmotivated employees. The idea of banning obstructive in-house arbitration is one way to help rectify some of the issues presented here – and something that governments should seriously consider pursuing. You can read Sherry's full article at the New York Times.

Art Credit: Jasu Hu for NYT

Response to BBC Scandal

This story is harrowing. The Jimmy Savile sexual assault scandal at the BBC is one of the worst ways a harmful workplace culture can manifest itself. The report described in this article cites a culture at the BBC that “discouraged young women from filing complaints” about “sexual misconduct or harassment in particular.” Just as upsetting is the idea presented in the report that the atmosphere for whistle blowers is even worse now than it was when Savile was there. What explains the gross negligence at the BBC? Was it a culture of indifference, a lack of knowledge or a lack of belief? Considering the ample evidence amassed (over 400 witnesses to Savile’s abuses were interviewed to compile the report), it’s easy to believe that the truth was willfully ignored by those who didn’t have the courage to stand up to the worst of the worst kind of workplace bully. You can read more about the scandal at The New York Times.

Response to Marcel Aubut Harassment Probe

The situation at the Canadian Olympic Committee did not need a costly inquiry into what is frankly a rat’s nest of a work environment to take action. Based on the timeline presented in this article, almost everyone at the job was aware of the sexual and personal harassment taking place. Even non-COC staff reported seeing abusive behavior on the part of former COC president Aubut – so the bullying was clear even to outsiders. He should have been removed sooner, in addition to others who engaged in harassment – many of whom are apparently still present at the COC. You can read more about the probe at The Globe & Mail.