HOUSTON – The list continues to grow as high-profile figures accused of sexual misconduct, harassment and assault come to light.
Wednesday, NBC’s "Today Show" host Matt Lauer was fired after a complaint to the network.
As the headlines continue, the conversation is also growing about concerns in businesses and offices across the country and how to treat one another in the work place.
"Don’t catch your honey where you get your money because look at the statistics, when it goes bad we’re dealing with crisis in the work place,” said Joe Bontke at a training at Houston Community College.
Bontke is an education and outreach coordinator for the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission with the Houston District Office.
“Maybe harassment training isn’t the way to go, let’s do a 180 and let’s talk about how to treat each other instead of how not to treat each other,” said Bontke.
1. It begins with leadership
- Bontke said it’s important that the leadership inside a work place is establishing a sense of decorum because the rest will fall in line as long as it’s consistent, enforced and civil.
2. It’s about respect
- Bontke said it’s important for employers to thank employees who come forward with complaints rather than shame them.
- For example, using phrases such as, “I appreciate you trusting me enough to bring this to my attention.” Rather than stating “I have a hard time believing …”
Here is a list of ways Bontke says people should respond:
- Thank you
- I appreciate your trusting me enough to bring this to my attention
- We take these thing seriously
- If what you describe is happening, it’s shouldn’t be
- We will take steps to get to the bottom of this right away
Here is a list what not to say:
- Why are you just bringing this forward now?
- I have a hard time believing.
- What was your part in it?
- Why do you think they did those things?
- Have you told then to stop?
3. Pay attention to unwelcomed speech
- “Whether it’s you complementing her body type or constantly making comments about a sexual innuendo, if someone says it’s unwelcome, they’re drawing the line in the sand,” explained Bontke.
- He said inappropriate touching, or gazing at someone falls into the category of “unwelcomeness” as he called it.
4. Enforced Across the Board
- It’s important that people in a work place at all levels are treated the same during a sexual harassment claim and that someone’s power shouldn’t dictate whether the claim comes to light or not.
5. Zero Tolerance
- Bontke said it’s important that there is zero tolerance and that all claims are taken seriously.
- “I thank God for the millennials and #MeToo has put a spotlight on the issue that maybe the time has come to turn this ship around and let's treat people the way we want to be treated.”