Partner Steven Bernstein was quoted in the Tampa Bay Business Journal article "'Weinstein Moment' Harassment Spotlight Playing Out at Tampa Bay Businesses." The article discusses the rise in employees filing sexual harassment claims possibly due to the recent harassment cases that have made headlines and movements like the #MeToo campaign which brought awareness to sexual violence and empowerment to those affected by it. Many employers find themselves at a loss on how to avoid such complaints or how a complaint should be handled once filed.
Employers may soon realize that proper training, the right policies and corrective actions are key to protecting their employees, management and themselves. Employers should be prepared to face sexual harassment head on in establishing reporting procedures. Steve said "If [a case] morphs into litigation over allegations that are years old, that's not good for the business community," he said, given the time and resources it takes to defend allegations that are old, and could have been addressed "if they had known at the time."
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