CORP AMERICA’S CHANCE TO SHOW HOW TO ADDRESS SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND THE CULTURE THAT SUPPORTS IT

REPEAT PAYOUTS AND FORCED SILENCE COVER UP BAD BEHAVIOR

Today’s swift action by NBC News to oust long-standing anchor Matt Lauer based on evidence of sexual misconduct (and likely previous suspicion of it), indicates Corporate America is adopting a clear position of no tolerance for both the behavior itself and the culture of acceptance that fostered it. Bravo!

We need more leaders to stand up in similar fashion if we are to eliminate the notorious “Boys Club” culture that has quietly condoned sexually predatory behavior by men in positions of authority. Thankfully, the #MeToo movement is hastening this process. Think of the agonizingly long time it took the Catholic Church to begin to address its problem, and how it first fought allegations with a massive cover-up.

Now we face a nightmarish cleanup of long-term sexual misconduct on Capitol Hill and in State Capitols. The resistance will be fierce. We have a Governor and a President backing Roy Moore, a man with multiple allegations of sexually abusing teenage girls, and a well known history of hanging out in Malls trying to date teenagers. Instead of mature, clear-thinking action, we see the old guard circling its wagons to defend a way of life that is simply indefensible.

By contrast, Corporate America is stepping up to the challenge. We need to use our voices to help clean up this mess by making sure Corporate America pressures the political establishment to do the right thing.