On the heels of our discussions about the “Mancession” and recent gains by female employees in the workplace, there is growing evidence that men are getting more and more comfortable about filing discrimination complaints.
Tarascio v. Fallon
As is often the case, a celebrity suit is driving much of the discussion. NBC stage manager Paul Tarascio recently filed a complaint with the EEOC alleging that he was fired from the Late Night With Jimmy Fallon show because he’s a man.
Tarascio claims that when he was demoted from First Stage Manager to Second Stage Manager in July 2009, NBC executives told him that the reason for the change was that “Jimmy just prefers to take direction from a woman.” Tarascio alleges that his complaints to management resulted in him being fired in March 2010 for “fabricated performance issues.” NBC denies Tarascio’s claims and says they are ‘without merit.”
Even Construction Workers?
Another case generating attention is one filed by the EEOC on behalf of a male construction worker who accuses his male supervisor of calling him “sexy,” “blowing him kisses, carressing his hands and back” and threatening not to let him work on the next job if he refused to sleep with him. When the employee reported the conduct to the company’s president, he allegedly was told that “nothing could be done.” The employee says he was forced to quit shortly thereafter.
“Offering employees avenues for reporting harassment and then responding appropriately to employee complaints are critical in maintaining a workplace free from unlawful harassment,” says EEOC attorney Lynette Barnes. “This is true across all industries. Employees in the construction industry have just as much right as persons in any other occupation to a workplace free from unlawful harassment.” Click here for more from the EEOC.
Ignoring Men’s Complaints?
In a similar suit, the EEOC accuses LensCrafters of failing to address sexual harassment complaints from a male employee and of “perpetuating a sexually hostile work environment.”
According to the suit, complaints from female employees were taken seriously while those from male employees were not. The EEOC alleges that a male lab technician was “repeatedly subjected to unwelcome sexual advances, comments, and touching” and that his complaints about the conduct were ignored.
“The EEOC is committed to protecting all employees, including men, from being subjected to a sexually hostile work environment,” says EEOC attorney Nedra Campbell. “Federal law protects the civil rights of men as well as women.” Click here for more.
The Stats
EEOC statistics back up the claim that men are getting more comfortable filing discrimination claims. Since 1990, the percentage of harassment claims that were filed by men has doubled from 8% to 16%.
The Bottom Line?
Discrimination is discrimination is discrimination. Take all claims seriously, investigate thoroughly and then take appropriate action promptly. If you don’t, you may end up in court.