EMPLOYERS TAKE PROACTIVE STANCE.Byline: Cindy Krischer Goodman The Miami Herald Peter Roth Peter Roth may refer to:
That's why the employees at his payroll services company are gathered in the conference room of his West Dade County Dade County can refer to the following places:
``To not be aware about sexual harassment in the workplace is pulling the wool over your eyes,'' Steel Hector & Davis attorney Anne-Marie Estevez tells Roth and a dozen of his managers. Today, more and more companies are taking a proactive stance on sexual harassment. They are training in an effort to prevent the problem before it occurs. ``The business world has changed and we have to change with it,'' Roth says. ``I want to make sure my employees feel comfortable coming to work.'' On this day, Roth is surprised to learn that not only is he liable if his employees are guilty of sexual misconduct sexual misconduct Professional ethics Any behavior that violates a health professional's ethics through sexual contact of physician and his/her Pt. See Professional boundaries. . He's also liable if his company's vendors or customers commit these type of acts. Should it occur, he must take prompt action. Even sacrifice a customer if necessary. His employees and managers learn that calling co-workers baby, sweetheart, honey or even girls instead of women can be grounds for a sexual harassment suit. Even touching a pregnant woman's belly can be considered harassment. ``It's their personal space,'' Estevez says. ``The only proper touching is a handshake.'' Anything that offends ``a reasonable person'' can be considered harassment, Estevez explains to Compupay managers, then to about three dozen employees. ``Courts consider only what the victim felt, not what the harasser intended.'' Estevez also dispenses some rules to live by: Never ask a person out on dates repetitively if he or she turns you down. Never rumormonger ru·mor·mon·ger n. One who spreads rumors. intr.v. ru·mor·mon·gered, ru·mor·mon·ger·ing, ru·mor·mon·gers To engage in the spreading of rumors. Noun 1. about one's sex life. Never give sexual gifts like a licorice licorice (lĭk`ərĭs, –rĭsh), name for a European plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) of the family Leguminosae (pulse family) and for the sweet substance obtained from the root. bikini (even in jest for mere sport or diversion; not in truth and reality; not in earnest. See also: Jest ). Never tell jokes of a sexual nature (even if co-workers laugh at them). Never put anything in e-mail that could be offensive. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Compupay President Peter Roth says, ``The business world has changed and we have to change with it.'' Knight-Ridder Tribune Photo Service |
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