2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Peyton learns that she was only hired because she fit all of Drew’s requirements – she’s beautiful, single and under the age of 30. She believed she was being hired into a training program based upon her own merits. She also learns that previous assistants quit because of Drew’s unwelcome sexual advances. How does the execution of the sexual harassment theme play for you? When all else failed, why has no one reported the situation to owner Randolph Swift? Does this make any sense? How likely is this situation to occur in today’s work place?

I think it is unlikely that this situation would occur at this time. If I couldn't get HR to listen to me, I'd go above Drew's head. If I can't get to Randolph Swift, I might try making phone calls to law enforcement. Of course, many women would just be happy to get out of the situation without being raped.

I don't know how real this theme is, but it played well for me. This is a family company and with Randolph MIA due to his grief, Drew and Elieen were in charge. Everyone probably figured if Randolph knew he would do something about Drew, but no one wanted to take the chance he wouldn't.

I really hope this couldn't happen today, but small, family-owned companies are a different beast.

It's my understanding (from reading old novels) that sexual harassment was more prevalent in the past and was put up with because "that's just the way it was". I can't believe it's happening as often today. I own a small business and we are very careful about everything because we can't afford fancy lawyers to defend lawsuits. That doesn't mean it's not happening elsewhere of course it's just my own personal experience.

I agree with Anita; the storyline worked for me. Even today, some women will walk away instead of filing a lawsuit. It is a challenging process and more than some people want to take on.

In my personal experience, I could keep my distance from a former boss. I rarely had contact with him alone. One of my co-workers wanted me to go to HR, but I knew it was easy to get labeled a "troublemaker." She went to HR and reported "an observation." When HR called me to discuss the events, I was reprimanded mildly for not coming to them first.

It's so hard for a woman to know what the company HR would do about a harassment situation. I've never personally has an experience like that, but I can see that it could go either way.

My case didn't involve sexual harassment but a hostile workplace environment. He liked to yell and call me names.

I remember working as a temp at a large very prestigious law firm in Los Angeles, my temp office had a view of the Hollywood sign. There was an attorney on the other side of the building, and you could hear him yelling at his secretary. Everyone on that floor could hear him. It was unnerving and when my temp assignment ended and they asked me to stay I said "no, thank you."

I do think it's easier to walk away than deal with the aftermath of reporting any type of abuse in the workplace; however, I think I would find it very hard to live with myself or at the least be angry at myself for letting the creep get away with it. And there's the fact that he'll do it over & over if he's not stopped. I admire anyone with the guts to stand up and do the right thing. It's definitely not always the easiest thing.