Female Television Reporter Harassment, Essay Example

The HR manager of the New York Jets should consider this episode harassment if TV report Ines Sainz’s allegations are true. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states that actions such as teasing or offhand comments may not be prohibited by law but they are illegal if they are so severe that they create a hostile or offensive work environment (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission). In this case, Sainz was on the job as a reporter to interview quarterback Mark Sanchez and she claims to be subjected to sexually suggestive comments on both the field and in the locker room (LaMonte). It is reasonable to assume that the actions of the football players created an uncomfortable environment for her and made it difficult for her to do her job.

New York Jets HR manager should immediately arrange for training for the players, coaches, and other administrative officials. He may also setup an anonymous hotline in which any stakeholder can report incidents of harassment. Another strategy may be too develop a formal harassment policy that includes the punitive actions to which the offenders may be subjected to, including fines, suspension, and even contract termination in extreme cases. In order to create a safer workplace environment, HR manager may install more cameras on the fields as well as other areas so that people are aware of the fact their actions are being monitored. But the most effective solution is to create an organizational culture in which everyone is respected and harassment is a stigma. In order to ensure this, the HR manager could talk to the owners to enlist their help in creating an organizational culture in which different stakeholders’ on-field and off-field conduct is given as much weight as their economic contribution to the organization.

References

LaMonte, Trish. Female television reporter accuses New York Jets of harassment. 13 September 2010. 6 November 2013 <http://blog.syracuse.com/sports/2010/09/female_television_reporter_acc.html>.

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Sexual Harassment. 6 November 2013 <http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/sexual_harassment.cfm>.