Men, commit to mentor women

Re:Men, commit to mentor women by cf498 on Tuesday May 21, 2019 @04:30AM (#19968444)

Its not just about accidentally crossing the line but the possibility of bad intentions. Especially if there is a difference in power. University has the same problem. Never be alone in a room with a female student you have to grade is really important advice for male Professors. Having a third party sit in in one on one meetings is generally a reasonable precaution. Its simply to big of a risk to take. Its only reasonable that situation is similar with people in different positions of the company hierarchy.

Its unfortunate but it is what it is. Telling people to do it despite the risk involved is just bad advice.

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Re:Men, commit to mentor women by timavr on Tuesday May 21, 2019 @04:37AM (#19968470)

The problem is that risk reward is so skewed in other direction.

For anyone to accuse someone of sexual harassment is 100% career killing move.

So when 2 people in the room, the one with least power has the most to loose in bringing accusations.

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Re:Men, commit to mentor women by cf498 on Tuesday May 21, 2019 @04:43AM (#19968500)

I dont think that is the case, but it might be a regional or cultural difference.

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Re:Men, commit to mentor women by timavr on Tuesday May 21, 2019 @04:50AM (#19968531)

In America what person is going to gain by bringing accusations.

The best case is pay out, but they definitely lost this job, future opportunities, etc. They are not going to get recommendations letters.

As soon as you accuse someone you start costing company gigaton of money.

In America we promote/keep people who make money not cost money.

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Re:Men, commit to mentor women by Agustus on Tuesday May 21, 2019 @08:24AM (#19969464)

This is a rational analysis of the game theory with both parties being rational actors, that is not always the case.

Imagine a situation where the employee hates the manager and just wants to screw them over for a past issue, being passed over for a promotion or whatever, and the employee is going through some life patches. The employee has a one on one with their employer privately to solve an issue and then following this meeting, turns around and sued the company and the manager with sexual harassment.

If you do not think there are vindictive employees, then your statement works, however, they exist. So, if you are innocent and accused, the risk FAR outweighs the mentor ship rewards; losing your job, being blackballed, loss of trust from your significant other, etc. vs. providing guidance.

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Re:Men, commit to mentor women by danmaz74 on Tuesday May 21, 2019 @05:50AM (#19968756)

> The best case is pay out, but they definitely lost this job, future opportunities, etc. They are not going to get recommendations letters.

You think this didn't change after MeToo? This kind of attitude can easily end in a legal and PR nightmare.

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