As the compliance officer, consider your response to the situation. Based on the scenario, your readings, and research, respond to the following:

• Did sexual harassment occur at any point?
• What questions do you have for each of the two parties?
• What concerns do you have?
• What action is appropriate in dealing with Amber and Dale?

Write your initial response in 3–4 paragraphs. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. By Thursday, April 2, 2015, post your response to the appropriate Discussion Area.

SITUATION:

One day as you walk through the cubicles of the sales team, you notice that one of the female employees, Amber, has several 8×10 photographs in her cubicle.  One of them is the famed statue of David by Michelangelo.  The other photographs are the Roman Forum, Pompeii, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. 

As you look up Dale, another employee, says with a smile, “We told her were offended and she should take it down. “  Dale winks at Amber.  She smiles and he walks away.

The following week, you receive an email from Dale accusing Amber of sexual harassment and making a reference to the photograph, as well as several comments that Amber made. 

EMAIL

From:  Dale

To:  Senior Compliance Officer, Beta Technologies

On two separate occasions, I have asked Amber to remove this picture and both times, she has made inappropriate comments to me and refused to comply.  Her statements indicated that she believed the images simply made me jealous and that I would prefer that she have a picture of me up in her cubicle. 

I believe these unwanted comments constitute sexual harassment.  At this point, I feel that Amber’s behavior is negatively affecting my ability to work and I would like to see a change. 

Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to a resolution.

Thank you

Dale

You meet Amber to investigate the situation.  She explains that she has always wanted to go to Italy and that she had had the pictures up for a month with no complaints.

Notes from discussion with Amber

Amber and Dale dated for almost a year; Amber ended the relationship last week

Amber states that Dale did not initially accept the decision she had made and started sending her inappropriate text messages of a sexual nature, which she has saved and can provide copies.

Dale became angry after a few days and apparently started threating Amber regarding her job and information he would disclose if she did not continue in a relationship with him.

Amber claims she did not say anything because she didn’t believe he would actually take action.

Amber doesn’t recall being asked to remove the picture or making any comments that could be considered sexual harassment, but has now removed the picture.

It is unclear as the whether there are witnesses to any of these issues.

EMAIL FROM AMBER

To: Senior Compliance Officer

From Amber

Thank you for taking the time to talk to me regarding the situation with Dale.  I think that he is making accusations because he is upset with how our relationship ended.  At no time did anyone ask me to remove the pictures or tell me that the image was inappropriate.  If anyone was upset by the picture, I am truly sorry.  The image was of a commonly known piece of art, and I simply did not realize that its meaning could be taken this way.  I have removed that picture and will certainly refrain from ever posting anything similar.

I continue to feel as though I am being harassed by Dale.  As I mentioned to you earlier, our relationship ended badly, and I believe that he is acting out in revenge.  I would like to find a way to put this behind   us and return to an appropriate work environment.  I cannot continue to tolerate Dale’s comments nor his harassing behavior.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Amber