Commentary & Opinion

#HimToo Is Dangerous to Your Workplace

By Jon Hyman

Oct. 10, 2018

himtoo workplace

#HimToo

A hashtag started as a reaction to #MeToo, put forth by those who believe that false accusations of rape and sexual assault against men are common and happen way too often.

Employers, #HimToo is dangerous to your workplace.

If you believe that allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault are presumptively false, your investigation is doomed to fail before it even starts. (Of course, the converse is also true; you cannot presumptively believe that allegations are true, either).

You must engage in a full, fair, and impartial investigation into all allegations of unlawful harassment. And, if you cannot do that, hire a third party to do it for you.

#MeToo has done an amazing job of creating an atmosphere of understanding for complaints of harassment and other sexual misconduct. Let’s not undermine all the good it has done with knee-jerk reactions in the other direction.

It’s not only the right thing to do; it’s also what is legally required.

Also read: Assessing the Impact of #MeToo on its First Anniversary

Also read: #MeToo: Movement or Moment? 

Jon Hyman is a partner in the Employment & Labor practice at Wickens Herzer Panza. Contact Hyman at JHyman@Wickenslaw.com.

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