With the recent accounts of men sexually harassing female colleagues, staffers and students in the media, government, entertainment and academics, rather than terminating their contracts, maybe having them serve a six-month suspension during which time they would do community service in a homeless or battered women’s shelter, plus a fine, would be a more productive remedy (“Matt Lauer apologizes, NBC looks to move on but questions linger,” Nov. 30).
I don’t think we can fire our way to better behavior in all the areas where we are seeing harassment. Putting more women in charge would also not guarantee a perfect work environment. Policy does need to change, whereby the harasser faces consequences that are meaningful and address the power imbalance.
We can do better and should.
Pat Ranney, Millersville
