HR Connection blog

 

As the breaking news tells us every day, we are in a transformative time when it comes to how harassment is reported and handled in the workplace. From Hollywood to Rockefeller Center and everywhere in-between, employers must be prepared. Blank Rome’s unique multi-disciplinary approach includes highly-skilled lawyers from our Labor & Employment, Insurance Recovery, White Collar Defense & Investigations, and SEC practice groups. We represent companies, boards of directors, senior executives, and individuals, including public officials, who confront a wide range of harassment allegations. We also help companies develop and update their current policies and procedures to help prevent–or at least mitigate–any harassment issues that may arise.

The allegations of outrageous conduct against former film studio executive Harvey Weinstein have dominated the news for more than two weeks. If the allegations are true, Weinstein represents the quintessential “superstar” harasser–the high earning, successful leader whose bad behavior is tolerated because of his perceived value to the corporation. More reports have surfaced that this theme appears to be more common than previously imagined.

Many employers want to be able to monitor their employees’ communications–including phone calls, emails, and instant messages–with or without notice. Some employees may want to secretly record unsafe working conditions or harassing behavior. However, both employers and employees have an interest in workplace privacy and confidentiality.