Sexual Harassment At The Holiday Party
By Amy E. Feldman
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - In preparation for the annual bacchanalia known as the company holiday party, it's time to consider one more way people get themselves into trouble.
A lawsuit brought involved an alcohol-fueled holiday party in which a group of four women set upon a male coworker and enticed him into a striptease. Guess who sued? Neither the "ladies" involved in the incident nor the male coworker-cum-chippendale sued. They all apparently appreciated the attention.
The lawsuit was brought by an otherwise uninvolved coworker who had the misfortune of witnessing the debauchery. Most offices fail to consider that the victim of sexual harassment, which is defined by unwelcome verbal or physical conduct that unreasonably interferes with an employee's work performance, does not have to be the person harassed but anyone affected by the unwanted conduct.
Which is why companies are best served to remind everyone before the event that not everyone has the same tolerance of undecorous behavior and to save your bad behavior for after the party.
