As a speaker on business ethics, I am often asked why successful executives risk so much by taking unethical actions. The daily exposure of new sexual harassment offenders provides ample evidence of the consequences of bad behavior, which is almost always exposed. Sexual harassment is an ethics issue, and most companies address sexual harassment within the context of their company’s code of ethics.
We all know that sexual harassment is not a new phenomenon. It seems that Harvey Weinstein’s abrasive and arrogant stance in the wake of the allegations against him awoke women’s “we’ve had enough, and we are not going to take it anymore” movement. According to CBS News, as of October 24th, the #MeToo social media movement reached 85 countries and over 1.7 million tweets on Twitter. And, Facebook alone had more than 12 million posts by 4.6 million users in one 24-hour period. The conversation grows daily with new allegations!
Stories of sexual misconduct will be in the news for some time with Matt Lauer and Garrison Keilor being the latest casualties. As business leaders, we have the responsibility to our fellow employees, shareholders, and families to search for clues of sexual misconduct before it is too late for those involved.
Some offenders such as Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and others are accused of sexual assault, a criminal offense. Bill Cosby recently stood trial for sexual assault that resulted in a deadlocked jury. Criminal charges are serious, and it is easy to see where sexual harassment could lead to sexual assault in today’s legal environment.
Sexual Misconduct as a Business Ethics Issue
Companies can limit their legal liability, if allegations arise, by assuring their harassment policies are up-to-date and enforced, having mandatory sexual harassment training for at least all managers, and taking harassment complaints seriously. Management should facilitate a corporate culture where there is no toleration for inappropriate behavior, and all employees are appreciated and not objectified. Ignoring complaints is no longer an option given the attention that sexual misconduct is receiving in the news.
Sexual harassment is a serious business ethics issue because the consequences of the harassment lead to a hostile work environment and are demeaning to its victims, typically a work associate of the offender. Companies are not only embarrassed by the recent revelations, but they have been paying large sums to settle with victims.
A new Economist/YouGov survey of November 28, 2017, finds that 80% of Americans consider sexual harassment to be a serious or somewhat serious problem. However, only 36% of the survey respondents say it is a serious or somewhat serious issue where they have worked. Are American companies doing a better job of creating a safe working environment than those in industries getting the most attention now, primarily entertainment, media, and politics? Perhaps, but 36% is still too high, and zero is probably not attainable.
Clues for Spotting Sexual Harassers
Ethics are an enigma to most people. I developed a set of E.T.H.I.C.S. Tools that provide clues on whether someone is in danger of slipping into unethical behavior such as sexual misconduct.
A good question to ask is, why would smart people, who know better, sexually harass another? To answer that question, let’s examine three of my E.T.H.I.C.S. Tools.
E = Exaggerated Ego
The ego’s feedback from its environment can have a significant impact on its beliefs. For example, the “Hollywood casting couch” is a long-running euphemism for the acceptability of sexual harassment in the film industry. Harvey Weinstein’s bad behavior was an open secret for decades. Yet, no one complained until recently. Is it any wonder then, why so many entertainment and media personalities are accused of sexual misconduct? Social acceptability provides positive feedback to the ego that its false sense of prestige is accepted.
Since most of the well-publicised complaints have been coming from media, entertainment, and politics, it may be that these egos are more likely to be out-of-control than the ego of an executive.
I am amazed how many of the accused are shocked that they are publicly outed for their bad behavior. The accusations are a direct assault on their ego, and I have little doubt that they thought that either their sexual advances were welcome and consensual, or were acceptable.
S = Stinking Thinking
Stinking thinking is that thinking which is dysfunctional to a rational connection to the moral universe, or excuses that one makes up to get its way.
The dysfunctional thinking of an exaggerated ego fills the head that it can do no wrong. This belief is especially true for men in power positions, whether the person is a big fish in a big pond or a big fish in a little pond. The big fish believe that they can use their power to take advantage of the little fish. Beliefs are just thoughts that we keep on thinking. Most of us would agree that it is wrong to take advantage of another human just because we can, but not so for someone who believes that others are there to serve him.
Given the film industry’s reputation for trading sex for jobs, a studio executive may think they are entitled to sexual favors in return for making a woman a star. Or, the thinking may be that everyone is doing it, so why not me? Harassers know their power so they may think that their harassment will be kept a secret since the victim would fear retribution from the harasser.
A business executive may think that they are too important to an organization for a company to terminate them for their sexual misconduct. A former congressman once told me that Washington, D.C. has a culture of sexual promiscuity, so is it any surprise that a politician would think that his sexual advances are doing business as usual?
C = Consequences Not Considered
I am always amazed how very smart people, who would normally consider every risk in a business decision, fail to consider the consequences of their unethical actions. The consequences of sexual misconduct can be severe.
Matt Lauer reportedly had a contract with NBC News worth $25 million a year. Bill O’Reilly earned $18.5 million a year with Fox News. Not only is O’Reilly’s salary gone, but he reportedly paid out $32 million to one accuser, and Fox News paid out $13 million in settlements to other accusers over the years. According to the New York Times, Harvey Weinstein has paid off accusers for decades. Those payments are probably nothing compared to his loss in the value of Weinstein Company in the wake of the loss of its reputation and its, most likely, ability to continue in the film industry.
Sexual harassment settlements are costly in terms of money, but the loss of their career and relationships, and the public humiliation have a more enduring impact on an individual and their families.
If you are interested in learning more about my E.T.H.I.C.S. Tools for you and your company, please do not hesitate to contact me at 770-715-2095.