Federal judge Joshua Kindred (Alaska) resigned after an investigation confirmed he created a hostile work environment. His actions included sending inappropriate messages to employees, engaging in sexual activities with a former law clerk (and lying about it), and even disparaging clerks’ ethical obligations (“who gives a f*** about ethics, we need to get you paid.”).
On the local front, the former owner of C-Viche was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he was convicted of sexually assaulting multiple victims, including several employees.
Meanwhile, a leaked SpaceX video of a female staff member instructing another on how to “spank” the vice president of human resources, has lent support to allegations by former employees of the company’s “poisonous and misogynistic atmosphere.” Previous incidents offer further context, including a $250,000 settlement and a recently filed lawsuit that claims, “Musk knowingly and purposefully created an unwelcome hostile work environment based upon his conduct of interjecting into the workplace vile sexual photographs, memes, and commentary that demeaned women and/or the LGBTQ+ community.”
Business Takeaway: Another reminder that companies and other entities of all shapes and sizes—even “new age” or governmental—can get these things terribly wrong. We will see what comes of the SpaceX lawsuit, but these reports demonstrate the critical importance of fostering a respectful and professional workplace culture, and taking employee concerns seriously. While the most severe consequences of getting this wrong are self-evident, this also serves as a reminder of reputational risks. Contact us at info@goldsteinsc.com if you have questions about sexual harassment and discrimination policies and enforcement in the workplace.