4 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE
1. It’s very
prevalent
If you think Sexual harassment in the
workplace only happens in Hollywood,
an impression you could easily get from the media attention to actors’
disclosures, think again. According to a survey early this year, 81% of
women and 43% of men said they experienced some form of sexual harassment
and/or assault. Don’t assume it’s not going on in your company just because you
haven’t experienced it or witnessed it personally.
2. You must set
policy
You need to have a policy in
place to create a safe work environment for your staff and avoid legal problems
for the company. Why and how to create an anti-sexual harassment policy
is covered in an earlier blog.
3. You can’t deduct
certain harassment-related payments
The tax law bars any
deduction for settlements or awards for Sexual harassment of women
at workplace or sexual abuse
made after 2017 if subject to a nondisclosure agreement. (Section
162(q) was added to the Tax Code by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.) This ban
also covers legal costs associated with these payments. Because the law is new,
the scope of this ban has yet to be fully fleshed out.
4. Company policy
does not have to ban dating
Inter-office romances are
common (although the Harassment at
work movements may have a chilling
effect on these going forward). After all, we spend a great part of our days at
work where it’s easy to meet people. But it’s advisable to take steps to ensure
that the relationship isn’t coerced.
You could follow the practice
at NBC (imposed after the Matt Lauer firing) to require employees to report
their inter-office relationships to you. But if you prefer to be a little
softer while protecting employees and the company, consider having the parties
sign a consensual relationship form stating that each agrees the relationship
won’t hurt their professional duties and that there won’t be any retaliation if
the relationship ends.
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