What we can learn from Harvey Weinstein...

Over the past few weeks we’ve learned how Harvey Weinstein abused his position as a highly influential Hollywood studio head. Dozens of women have recounted how he personally humiliated, harassed, molested and criminally assaulted them.

Weinstein isn’t the first public figure to perpetrate these kinds of assaults, yet for some reason his actions have resonated more loudly than others, and they've empowered so many (women and men) to open up and publicly share their own stories.

So far Harvey Weinstein has been ousted from the company he built and ran, he’s been expelled from the ‘Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’, his wife is filing for divorce, and I’m pretty sure things are going to get much worse for him before this all goes away. He’s become a Pariah (and rightfully so) in a world he once thought he ruled.

Some people wonder why the industry has reacted so vehemently to this latest scandal; why wasn’t Bill Cosby treated like this and how in the world was Donald Trump elected President?

The women who accused Cosby and Trump were very different than the women that have come out and accused Weinstein. The former weren’t famous celebrities; they simply didn’t have as loud a voice, as many followers on social media or access to the same platforms to denounce similar types of vicious and criminal behaviors.

So what about the perpetrators? Why do people like Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, or Donald Trump (just to name a few), think they can get whatever they want, whenever and wherever they want it?

Most people will instantly say it’s because of their money, fame, celebrity, power, position of influence, etc. I believe it has to do more with a lack or absence of foresight and a deep inability to understand consequences.

Most humans understand that when someone cannot control his /her urges, and chooses to behave in ways that are generally perceived as inappropriate, offensive, or dangerous to others, there are consequences.

·        If a passenger on an Airplane becomes irate and decides to vocally express their frustration with the airline, politics or mankind in general, there are consequences.

·        When someone is intoxicated and gets behind the wheel of a vehicle in motion, there are consequences.  

·        When a worker (deliberately or involuntarily) does something that clearly contravenes company policy, there are consequences.

Some people (like Harvey), just don’t get it.

I hate to say it, but I have a hunch we’re all surrounded by people like Harvey Weinstein. Most of them aren’t rich movie producers; few have any real power, authority or influence.

As an HR professional I’ve seen and heard employees complaining about inappropriate behaviors in the workplace; one person making another feel physically uncomfortable, innocent slips of hand or accidentally brushing against someone; these are things that have no place in the work place.

Let me state the obvious:

No matter the industry; no matter how casual, modern or innovative the workplace; no matter gender, age or physical appearances; no matter how close or friendly people get:

IT’S UNNACEPTABLE AND PUNISHABLE FOR ONE PERSON TO MANIPULATE, INTIMIDATE, COERCE, FORCE OR ABUSE ANOTHER PERSON INTO DOING SOMETHING THEY ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH. 

When it relates to another person’s body, the above statement becomes exponentially more serious, and takes on a whole different meaning; as in more severe consequences… as in going to jail.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a movie producer, a VP of something, a lawyer, an accountant, a small business owner, someone driving a truck, or someone serving coffee; learn how to control your urges.