Legal Question in Sexual Harassment in Pennsylvania

Sexual harrassment and/or hostile environment

I am a small town mayor. A 70 plus year old male who is a fulltime boro employee, a council member, and former chief of police is harrassing our female secretary/treasurer. She is happily married and 30 plus years old. He is stalking, harrassing, etc. Recently he sent her husband a very nasty letter saying that Claudine is having an affair with Bill another boro employee. The boro does not have a sexual harrassment policy on the books. What do I do on behalf of the government and the young lady? This seems to becoming dangerous besides harrassment.


Asked on 10/18/08, 1:32 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Roger Traversa Arjont Group (Law Office of Roger Traversa)

Re: Sexual harrassment and/or hostile environment

You asked about a work situation where a government employee is creating a hostile environment with another government employee.

As a government entity the boro has increased exposure as to both civil rights laws and as to civil rights protections. You need to hire an attorney to intervene 1) to investigate the situation and provide a recommendation, and 2) create policies for the boro to adopt and maintain.

A government entity is no different from another organization in that they are responsible for the actions of their employees and officials. Further, as with other organizations, individuals can be held accountable for those under their supervision.

In this day and age, every organization needs to have an assessment of their compliance and ethics program conducted and audited. Even if you don't have a "compliance and ethics" program or a employee handbook such policies can be imputed, and such an assumption never inures to the benefit of the organization.

Regards,

Roger

Read more
Answered on 10/18/08, 3:29 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Sexual Harassment Law questions and answers in Pennsylvania