Most workplaces have at least one person who thinks it’s a good idea to put up a pin-up calendar or to have “sexy” screensavers. At home or in a private office, that might not be a big deal. If you are dealing with this kind of imagery in an open office environment,...
Founder of St. Paul dance group resigns in wake of lawsuit
The co-founder of a nationally known dance troupe based in the Twin Cities has resigned in the wake of a lawsuit alleging that he sexually harassed a former employee. He served as both a dancer and choreographer for the group.The man offered his resignation so his...
Holiday parties have potential for sexual harassment
The holidays are a time for people in Minnesota and throughout the United States to enjoy some extra time off and take part in holiday parties. Some of these parties are held at their place of employment. While the intention is to allow employees and their supervisors...
Office parties can be a breeding ground for sexual harassment
Many people in the Twin Cities area either have had or probably will be having their office parties or more informal work-related get-togethers in the upcoming days. Even for those who have already had them, this is a good time of year to think about social functions...
Woman files lawsuit after incident at work-related conference
A woman who works for an employer in a state that borders Minnesota has filed suit claiming a former colleague grabbed her breasts and then commented about her chest to two other men, neither of whom were employees of the company. This incident happened at a bar in...
Attention to sexual harassment has not resulted in improvements
Minnesotans and people throughout the United States are undoubtedly aware of the "#MeToo" movement, complete with its social media hashtag and connotations of people from across the workplace spectrum being a victim of sexual harassment. While people sharing their...
#MeToo movement may have unintended negative consequences
The #MeToo movement, which has involved a backlash against sexual harassment at the workplace, has generally been a good thing, especially for women. In a wide range of work environments, the #MeToo movement has made it more likely that both men and women will report...
Mandatory arbitration of sexual harassment claims under scrutiny
Many Minnesotans may know of the conglomerate Ernst & Young, which is identified as one of the "Big Four" accounting firms in the nation. However, the company is coming under scrutiny for its mandatory arbitration policy. The issue came to the forefront after a...
Sexual harassment has reduced, but gender harassment has risen
Sexual harassment was a concern in every workplace in Minnesota and across the nation. The social media attention paid to "me too" with the hashtag to emphasize it has had an impact on how women are treated in terms of reducing sexual harassment. Because these...
Veterans service officer accused of committing sexual harassment
Not all work places in Minnesota offer a work environment free from harassment. Despite warnings and training against sexual harassment, situations of this nature still occur in both private and public workplaces. Sometimes, the alleged perpetrator of the harassment...