Court Broadens Sexual Harassment Law

Sexual harassment must be addressed immediately and with severity when it is brought to the attention of your organization. A recent decision by the Hawaii Supreme Court held that an employer had not taken actions severe enough to stop the harassment of one employee by another. A reprimand may not have been enough to discourage an additional touching incident. This decision makes me think.

Recently, in a client company, an employee touched another employee to move her out of his way. We had a witness and the charge of harassment incurred a three day suspension and a write-up in the offending employee's file. Under the Hawaii decision, this may not have been enough. Yet, especially in cases of sexual harassment, in which there are few witnesses, the rights of both employees must be safeguarded. A zero tolerance policy, especially without a witness, may be too severe. What do you think? Read the article at Court broadens sex harassment law.