What would you do?
Workplace sexual harassment is something that happens - far more often than we would like to see happen. When you have a situation like this, what do you suppose the reaction (of the employer) should be.
"The three women all allege that Bleskachek unfairly denied them opportunities to advance within the department. And they claim the chief based her decisions on...personal feelings toward the women, not on their job performance. Bleskachek's lawyer says those claims are false. "
In most situations, where the supervisor was male, the supervisor would have been fired immediately - and rightly so. However, the supervisor in this instance is Bonnie Bleskachek, the country's first openly lesbian fire chief. Sadly, in this instance, the supervisor in question was not fired, but placed on administrative leave.
"The 43-year-old chief is on leave as the city conducts an internal investigation amid lawsuits from three female firefighters who allege various acts of discrimination and sexual harassment. Also, a city investigation found evidence that the department gave preferential treatment to lesbians or those who socialize with them."
Finally, after months of investigations and over $400,000 spent on them, Mayor Ryback is asking that the City Council approve a buy-out. Demote Bleskachek to Captain, allow her to keep a city job and settle the remaining two lawsuits against the city. Thankfully, the City Executive Committee grew a spine and said "no - it's time to fire her".
Actually it is past time, but at least they are finally making the right move.
"The three women all allege that Bleskachek unfairly denied them opportunities to advance within the department. And they claim the chief based her decisions on...personal feelings toward the women, not on their job performance. Bleskachek's lawyer says those claims are false. "
In most situations, where the supervisor was male, the supervisor would have been fired immediately - and rightly so. However, the supervisor in this instance is Bonnie Bleskachek, the country's first openly lesbian fire chief. Sadly, in this instance, the supervisor in question was not fired, but placed on administrative leave.
"The 43-year-old chief is on leave as the city conducts an internal investigation amid lawsuits from three female firefighters who allege various acts of discrimination and sexual harassment. Also, a city investigation found evidence that the department gave preferential treatment to lesbians or those who socialize with them."
Finally, after months of investigations and over $400,000 spent on them, Mayor Ryback is asking that the City Council approve a buy-out. Demote Bleskachek to Captain, allow her to keep a city job and settle the remaining two lawsuits against the city. Thankfully, the City Executive Committee grew a spine and said "no - it's time to fire her".
Actually it is past time, but at least they are finally making the right move.
posted by The Lady Logician at
7:34 PM
6 Comments:
Most employers would not fire someone based upon a mere accusation of sexual harassment. They would take steps to make sure that person has no further conduct with the employee making the accusation. In this case, placing the chief on administrative leave pending further investigation was perfectly reasonable.
By
Anonymous, at 3:21 PM
I disagree Skipper. I used to work in HR. The guidelines are quite clear. Sexual harassment is not to be tolerated because of the legal ramifications. Corporations have to protect themselves from just the kind of legal action that the City of Minneapolis is embroiled in.
By
The Lady Logician, at 3:48 PM
I'm a lawyer who has defended employment discrimination cases. While sexual harassment is not to be tolerated, the alleged harasser is not fired immediately just because an allegation was made. Corporations could be subject to liability if they discharge someone based only upon such an allegation. Instead they generally investigate the matter first.
By
Anonymous, at 3:36 PM
Well given the Industry I was in, I would not be surprised if HR was told to be a little "hyper sensitive"....
I would love to hear your take on the NY cop and his religious harassment case that I posted on today.
By
The Lady Logician, at 6:08 PM
In this case, the people who complained were women and hence some alacrity was shown in the investigation and the sentencing. But what about the case when a male complains? Nobody cares when men allege anything and they come up with shoddy work just because of the normal pervasive feeling that males dont deserve any rights while women deserve all and more of them
By
redrajesh, at 8:21 AM
red - you have a point, however I don't think it's because men don't deserve" rights. I think that no one pays attention to mens complaints (of sexual harassment) have more to do from the still prevelant thought that women have no power over men. In the workplace, that is simply a false assumption.
By
The Lady Logician, at 3:52 PM
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