David Letterman's confession tonight..

[Geoff_M]

My point is, preferential treatment is given in the workplace all the time.

Yes, however the reason for the preferential treatment can make all the difference in the world if someone decides to try and make an issue of it in a workplace discrimination lawsuit. If one or more former female interns can reasonably demonstrate that the chances of early-20'ish women being offered full-time employment at Worldwide Pants were enhanced by sleeping with the boss, and reduced to almost zero if they rejected any perceived "come ons", then Dave will likely be getting his checkbook out. I don't know if the workplace environment at WWP sunk to that level, but I'm sure that there are lawyers contacting former interns to find out this week.

 

[LisaR]

Yes, however the reason for the preferential treatment can make all the difference in the world if someone decides to try and make an issue of it in a workplace discrimination lawsuit. If one or more former female interns can reasonably demonstrate that the chances of early-20'ish women being offered full-time employment at Worldwide Pants were enhanced by sleeping with the boss, and reduced to almost zero if they rejected any perceived "come ons", then Dave will likely be getting his checkbook out. I don't know if the workplace environment at WWP sunk to that level, but I'm sure that there are lawyers contacting former interns to find out this week.

If they can prove that the only one he gave preferential treatment to were women he slept with then he will be paying out some big settlements. From interviews I have heard over the years with some of the long time staff members (Biff, Tony, etc) he doesn't just play favorites with the ones he is sleeping with.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

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I don't mean to hijack this thread, but that beating a dead horse smilie is hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ols386]

I think it is funny how a few have labeled him as ugly, an old geezer, etc. I truly believe that if he was some hoy guy (George Clooney has been mentioned), the situation would be looked upon so much differently. Because he isn't good looking, he is looked upon as some creepy old man that used his power to make "young girls" sleep with him. Yet, these women seem to bear no responsibility for their actions.

I don't think he's a creepy old man because he isn't good looking....I think he's a creepy old man, just because that's what I've always thought of him.

If he is the boss, and gave the women preferential treatment, then I think he is the one who is wrong. What responsibility are these women supposed to bear?

 

[Geoff_M]

If they can prove that the only one he gave preferential treatment to were women he slept with then he will be paying out some big settlements. From interviews I have heard over the years with some of the long time staff members (Biff, Tony, etc) he doesn't just play favorites with the ones he is sleeping with.

No, that would hurt Dave's case in my scenario, and not help it. If Lettermen used one criteria for showing favoritism to one group of employees (Tony, Biff, etc.) and another for another group (young female interns)... that makes the case for workplace discrimination, not disproves it.

 

[sbell111]

Now Stephanie's been put on paid leave of absence by WWP for an unspecified amount of time.

Also, the accused, Joe, is saying he saw Stephanie and Dave making out near their shared home in August of this year. Maybe this is why he decided to attempt to blackmail Dave. Revenge.

Its just as likely that this is a lie.

Well, in your example a woman wouldn't really need much of a reason to sleep with George Clooney. Dave, on the other hand .....Maybe just being Dave wasn't enough.

I don't see him as preying on these women, but I've always thought that he's a dirty old man, even in his younger days.

Dave is smart, funny, and rich. Many, many women would be attracted to that combination.

No, that would hurt Dave's case in my scenario, and not help it. If Lettermen used one criteria for showing favoritism to one group of employees (Tony, Biff, etc.) and another for another group (young female interns)... that makes the case for workplace discrimination, not disproves it.

Not really, the underlying argument is that a person advances if Dave likes them. (It should be noted that this is how it works in nearly every company. If the boss likes you, you are more likely to advance.)

Now, if you were to find a female employee who Dave liked, but didn't bed and she was beaten out for advancement by a less qualified person who he was sleeping with, she would possibly have a case.

 

[Geoff_M]

Not really, the underlying argument is that a person advances if Dave likes them. (It should be noted that this is how it works in nearly every company. If the boss likes you, you are more likely to advance.)

I think you're missing the primary principle of discrimination law... the reason for why your boss "likes" you and rewards you makes all the difference in the world in the eyes of the law. If your boss likes you because your a good worker, or a top performer, or have a great personality, etc. that's one thing. But if they "like" you or a certain group of employees, because of things like skin color, gender, ethnic background, or willingness to submit to their advances, and steer extra goodies towards those they "like" at the expense of those that don't meet that criteria... then that's an entirely different matter legally.

Again, I'm not saying that Letterman is guilty of such discrimination towards young female workers on his staff, but there's been enough information stated that makes it a real possibility and I have no doubt that WWP's HR staff has been working a lot of extra hours and consuming above average amounts of Rolaids as this stuff has surfaced in the last week.

 

[Disney Doll]

If he is the boss, and gave the women preferential treatment, then I think he is the one who is wrong. What responsibility are these women supposed to bear?

Uh, let's see...
~NOT sleeping with the boss unless you think you really love him and want to have a relationship with him
~NOT sleeping with the boss even if he asks you to, if he has a longterm girlfriend that you know about (and frankly, I've known about his then GF/now wife for many years,I am pretty sure his colleagues did as well)
~Going through the proper legal channels if you do feel you're being sexually harrassed & not getting involved with an extortion plot

And yes, I would have known about these same things when I was 21.

 

[sbell111]

I think you're missing the primary principle of discrimination law... the reason for why your boss "likes" you and rewards you makes all the difference in the world in the eyes of the law. If your boss likes you because your a good worker, or a top performer, or have a great personality, etc. that's one thing. But if they "like" you or a certain group of employees, because of things like skin color, gender, ethnic background, or willingness to submit to their advances, and steer extra goodies towards those they "like" at the expense of those that don't meet that criteria... then that's an entirely different matter legally.

Again, I'm not saying that Letterman is guilty of such discrimination towards young female workers on his staff, but there's been enough information stated that makes it a real possibility and I have no doubt that WWP's HR staff has been working a lot of extra hours and consuming above average amounts of Rolaids as this stuff has surfaced in the last week.

You have to remember that it's not the discrimiation TOWARDS the women that would be wrong. It is the discrimination AGAINST the other people. If someone sues because he/she were looked over for a promotion, it is a perfectly valid defense to bring up that the suing person is a jerk. Not promoting a jerk isn't illegal, it's good business practice.

Either way, this is all moot, since no one has actually made the argument that he discriminated against anyone.

 

[sbell111]

While I was on my way to lunch, they were talking about office relationships on the radio. According to a careerbuilder survey, one third of all office relationships involve managers/subordinates. Also, 3/10ths of office relationships end in marriage.

They also had some HR expert who advised that if people get into a manager/subordinate relationship, that they should advise HR of it once they have been out on four or five dates. I found it interesting that she would advise them to wait so long before advising HR.

 

[ols386]

Uh, let's see...
~NOT sleeping with the boss unless you think you really love him and want to have a relationship with him
~NOT sleeping with the boss even if he asks you to, if he has a longterm girlfriend that you know about (and frankly, I've known about his then GF/now wife for many years,I am pretty sure his colleagues did as well)
~Going through the proper legal channels if you do feel you're being sexually harrassed & not getting involved with an extortion plot

And yes, I would have known about these same things when I was 21.

I wasn't talking about the moral aspect of it.....which I do think was wrong for he AND the women.

I was referring to the legal aspect of it, and I don't think the women could be charged with anything, but I think he could.

 

[sbell111]

I wasn't talking about the moral aspect of it.....which I do think was wrong for he AND the women.

I was referring to the legal aspect of it, and I don't think the women could be charged with anything, but I think he could.

'Charged with something'??? I think that you are confusing civil and criminal law.

Either way, he hasn't been accused of violating either one (except by talking heads and people in this thread).

 

[ols386]

'Charged with something'??? I think that you are confusing civil and criminal law.

Either way, he hasn't been accused of violating either one (except by talking heads and people in this thread).

That could be true (for the bolded sentence).

I realize he hasn't been accused of violating either one, but he could be...for the sexual harrassment.

 

[sbell111]

That could be true (for the bolded sentence).

I realize he hasn't been accused of violating either one, but he could be...for the sexual harrassment.

The way that you worded your sentence, it is clear that you believe that sexual harrassment happened, even though the women involved have not made this accusation.

 

[Geoff_M]

You have to remember that it's not the discrimiation TOWARDS the women that would be wrong. It is the discrimination AGAINST the other people.

If you rewind the thread, you'll see that my comments were in response to Lisa's statement that most people are saying that this was "between him and his wife". I said that the calculus wasn't that simple and that other parties may have been adversely affected by his actions.

Either way, this is all moot, since no one has actually made the argument that he discriminated against anyone.

I'm not saying I agree with them, but you better tell that to NOW.

 

[Disney Doll]

I wasn't talking about the moral aspect of it.....which I do think was wrong for he AND the women.

I was referring to the legal aspect of it, and I don't think the women could be charged with anything, but I think he could.

My post didn't refer to moral aspects...my post referred to what to do in order to keep your nose clean at work.

As far as legally...unless the women think they were sexually harrassed, which none of them seem to think...at least not yet , then there's not an issue.

From an employment standpoint, IF his employer (and I have no idea who that is...CBS? WWP? some other entity?) has regulations against employees having personal relationships, then he should be disciplined accordingly, as should the women involved.

If other employees feel that the women involved have received "perks" or benefits from sleeping with Letterman, then I believe the burden of proof is theirs.

Again, stupid on all parts...him & the women. Morally, reprhensible if his then GF/now wife thought they were in a monogamous relationship, which sounds like it was the case. As he said, he has his work cut out for him on a personal level and it might not be enough. Big price to pay for moments of pleasure.

DH always says "Don't s--- where you eat". Good advice.

 

[trip]

Did anyone else hear about what set off the blackmailer? I guess he caught his live in girl friend making out with Letterman in a car this past August. She works for Letterman but is now out on a paid leave of absence. I thought all of his indiscretions were long ago.

 

[ols386]

The way that you worded your sentence, it is clear that you believe that sexual harrassment happened, even though the women involved have not made this accusation.

Yes, that's what I believe....and I can believe whatever I wish.

 

[sbell111]

Yes, that's what I believe....and I can believe whatever I wish.

Of course you can. However, it is a mistake to argue that your beliefs are reality unless actual evidence is offered.

 

[ols386]

Of course you can. However, it is a mistake to argue that your beliefs are reality unless actual evidence is offered.

I see what you are saying. But it's still what I think....obviously I could be wrong.