Sexual harassment can happen at your job. Learn how to deal with it at this luncheon
It seems like every day a different public figure is accused of sexual harassment, but it can happen at your workplace, too.
Crude jokes, comments and unwanted advances all fall under the umbrella of sexual harassment and can create a toxic work environment wherever you are, whether you’re a politician or a comedian.
Last week, Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, was accused by six women of verbal and physical harassment. He canceled his appearance at Friday’s Old Soldiers & Sailors Parade in Anna Maria, and the Florida Senate has brought in an outside lawyer to conduct an investigation.
Louis C.K. has been accused of sexual misconduct as well. On Thursday, the comedian canceled the premiere of his new movie, “I Love You, Daddy,” along with an appearance on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”
On Thursday, Nov. 16, the Manatee Tiger Bay Club will attack the issue of sexual harassment and discuss the line between making a compliment and being creepy.
One of the underlying causes of workplace harassment is that behaviors can be interpreted differently, making it difficult to know when you’re harassing someone else — or if you’re a victim yourself.
The talk will focus on how comments and actions, even if harmless and unintentional, may affect the workplace and how to end the vicious cycle that “destroys reputations and kills careers.”
The luncheon at Pier 22, 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton, is an all-female panel. Anne Chapman, principal at Blalock Walters, P.A.; Lee Epting, consultant for Technology and Women in Leadership; Evangeline Hawthorne, the director of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Tampa; and Dr. Judith Sedgeman, principal of Sedgeman Consulting, will discuss the issue of workplace harassment at the event.
Those interested in attending are asked to make a reservation at manateetigerbay.org. The luncheon, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., costs $20 for Manatee Tiger Bay Club members and $30 for non-members.
This story was originally published November 10, 2017 at 9:03 AM with the headline "Sexual harassment can happen at your job. Learn how to deal with it at this luncheon."