The #MeToo movement drew the attention of people in Missouri and across the country to the problem of sexual harassment, especially in the entertainment industry. Branching out since the initial response to producer Harvey Weinstein’s record of alleged sexual harassment and assault, reports also highlighted issues in tech, finance, law and other major industries. Focus is once again coming onto the entertainment industry after the suspended CEO of the organization that runs the Grammy Awards accused a prominent attorney of sexual harassment and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of workplace discrimination.
The CEO was suspended from her position only days before the annual Grammy Awards, and the suspension has led to a flurry of public allegations. She was initially brought on for the position after a public outcry over the low number of women recognized at the awards and the comments by the prior CEO, who seemed to say that women were not doing enough to be recognized in the industry. The suspended CEO was accused of mistreating workers. She says, however, that she was retaliated against after making a complaint about sexual harassment by a prominent entertainment lawyer, the general counsel of the Academy and the founding chair of the entertainment law practice at Greenberg Traurig.
In a workplace discrimination complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, she says that she was dismissed only days after raising the issue of unwanted kisses, pet names and requests for a personal relationship from the lawyer in a complaint to the Academy’s human resources department. She also said that she aimed to change a “boys’ club” mentality at the organization.
Even high-profile executives can be targeted for sexual harassment or fear retaliation. Employees who have been subjected to unwanted advances on the job may consult with an employment attorney about how to seek justice.
