You mean like Weinstein, Spacey, and Singer?
When that time comes, I think companies and society will have to reach a consensus on how to deal with borderline cases (things uncouth but not illegal). Will society ostracize and black ball all cases, or pursue ways to rehabilitate people --like they rehabilitate drunk drivers, etc.
I haven't seen people get fired for just saying the wrong thing. These cases are mostly way beyond that. Some people have gotten accused (Affleck) but they have been brushed off as either not having evidence or not being serious.
This isn't "oops I made a mistake" behavior, it's predatory behavior and predators are hard to rehabilitate.
My point isn't that this case isn't bad behavior, it's that we will get closer to a grey area or undefined area and will have to have a more nuanced response to those (mis)behaviors.
Never the less, I think we will come to a time when companies will have to come up with something beside "zero tolerance". It's not a forgone conclusion, but I think we will come to a more nuanced approach as more people get caught up in these scandals.
Certainly the likes of Weinstein and Spacey have very little redeemability (However, we see Polanski had some abroad if not at home) but there is another class of people who do act "ungentlemanly/unladily" whatever, but not all the way to sexual harassment. For example, if we take Dustin Hoffman at his word, yes, it's uncalled for, but is it beyond the pale, given the times it took place?
I think companies and society have always had a clear consensus on these issues; the recent events have merely been pointing out that 'ignore and suppress' isn't a very good response.
https://www.facebook.com/Pinegroveband/posts/101557485055597...
Musician cancels his band's tour because of non-public accusation of "sexual coercion" in a relationship. What were his other options when someone presented this claim to him, presumably with some probability of the claim going public?
One reason we have such a guideline is that it takes time for the community reaction to actually become clear. The downvote situation usually rights itself, as it has—quite decisively—above. Only a single downvote affected that comment to begin with.
Most people call it flirting (I mean the touching of a thigh).
Let's not make guys stupid romantic attempts out to be like rape.
If in a professional context, it's definitely inappropriate and must be called out.
Folks: someone touched someone on the thigh at a conference (inappropriately), and it's making international news? This is ridiculous.
I presume he was too mission critical to get rid of as long as they could keep it quiet.
There's already a big precedent. It's Mark Hurd at HP. He was basically asked to resign for less severe incident than what these guys are facing, even though he did spectacular thing to HP stock price after years of Fiorina mismanagement.
That's a myth. People leave companies all the time and they continue to exist. Executives are not paid high salaries because they contribute anything special other than what any other person would do. It is just that they, as a group, have the power to give themselves high compensation. If I were part of a group of people who decided their own salary levels I would also increase it!
The question will become more difficult when people who are essential to the success of a company or product become entangled in allegations (and perhaps eventual convictions). But let's forget the high bar of convictions, for a moment.
If we soon begin to embroil anyone and everyone who may have said something inappropriate or who had someone interpret something as inappropriate, we'll end up including people who are _essential_ to a company or companies.
When that time comes, I think companies and society will have to reach a consensus on how to deal with borderline cases (things uncouth but not illegal). Will society ostracize and black ball all cases, or pursue ways to rehabilitate people --like they rehabilitate drunk drivers, etc.
Else, a less discerning competitor could scoop up problematic talent.