6 ms·

"If sexual harassment is this entrenched, what is the answer?" Well, one answer is to create stronger federal legislation that criminalizes this kind of behavi

by crabasa 10y ago

"If sexual harassment is this entrenched, what is the answer?" Well, one answer is to create stronger federal legislation that criminalizes this kind of behavior and protects plaintiffs. The ruling in the Ellen Pao case exposed the weakness of current law and judicial precedent. Until plaintiffs feel secure in bringing charges and until companies feel true fear (legal and financial costs) in getting caught, I doubt much will change.

iak8god 10y ago
> Well, one answer is to create stronger federal legislation ... That is one answer, but it's not a very encouraging or empowering one. The people currently in charge of the US federal government seem less likely than the average government to implement this sort of change. But leaving aside our harasser-in-Chief and his party's firm grip on the legislative branch, federal legislation isn't something most people feel they can do much about anyway. What I'd like to know is: what can I as a man in the tech industry do about this -- aside from not harassing people, which seems like a bare minimum.
- schlowmo 10y ago
  > "what can I as a man in the tech industry do about this -- aside from not harassing people, which seems like a bare minimum." Those may be obvious basics, but starting at ones own (work) environment seems like a good idea: Deliberate about the own behaviour and thinking. Acknowledge the existence of sexism. Speak out against sexist behaviour (starting with things like sexist jokes), even if it costs you your manhood in front of your (sexist) male co-workers. Don't think that it's only the job of your female co-workers to point out sexism and harassment.[0] Keep in mind that you can always decide just to go back to business and try to ignore the sexism around you - your female co-workers can not so easy.[1] Oh, and when I look through the comments below the article at TC one more thing: Don't play the white knight or expect a medal for not being sexist - not being sexist should be a matter of course. [0] Like "My female coworkers never complaint, so I thougt it's okay to just ignore or even enjoy sexist jokes and other innuendos." [1] Disclaimer: Since I'm part of the rethorical "you" I have to admit that I caught my self just choosing the "easy way" more often than I wished.
beached_whale 10y ago
Or people start to unionize. They aren't perfect, but if the work place is poisonous, how could it get worse?

by crabasa 10y ago

iak8god 10y ago

> Well, one answer is to create stronger federal legislation ... That is one answer, but it's not a very encouraging or empowering one. The people currently in charge of the US federal government seem less likely than the average government to implement this sort of change. But leaving aside our harasser-in-Chief and his party's firm grip on the legislative branch, federal legislation isn't something most people feel they can do much about anyway. What I'd like to know is: what can I as a man in the tech industry do about this -- aside from not harassing people, which seems like a bare minimum.

schlowmo 10y ago
> "what can I as a man in the tech industry do about this -- aside from not harassing people, which seems like a bare minimum." Those may be obvious basics, but starting at ones own (work) environment seems like a good idea: Deliberate about the own behaviour and thinking. Acknowledge the existence of sexism. Speak out against sexist behaviour (starting with things like sexist jokes), even if it costs you your manhood in front of your (sexist) male co-workers. Don't think that it's only the job of your female co-workers to point out sexism and harassment.[0] Keep in mind that you can always decide just to go back to business and try to ignore the sexism around you - your female co-workers can not so easy.[1] Oh, and when I look through the comments below the article at TC one more thing: Don't play the white knight or expect a medal for not being sexist - not being sexist should be a matter of course. [0] Like "My female coworkers never complaint, so I thougt it's okay to just ignore or even enjoy sexist jokes and other innuendos." [1] Disclaimer: Since I'm part of the rethorical "you" I have to admit that I caught my self just choosing the "easy way" more often than I wished.

beached_whale 10y ago

Or people start to unionize. They aren't perfect, but if the work place is poisonous, how could it get worse?