By now, Detroit readers who follow this blog should know that sexual harassment in the workplace is not okay. But what if the job entails an element that promotes physical desire? Is it ever okay then?
The answer is still no.
A former model for the popular game show “The Price is Right” recently filed a sexual harassment and wrongful termination suit against the show’s producers, claiming that they “continually humiliated and berated her.” Even though a large part of the woman’s job was to look attractive and call attention to herself, that does not mean she (or anyone – man or woman) should ever face harassment. Sadly, that is what she is claiming occurred in her workplace.
The woman began working at “The Price is Right” in 2003. Things went well for about six years, but then one producer began to show favoritism towards models with whom he was having relationships. The model alleges that the producer then began to limit her work on the show. She also claims another producer publicly belittled and berated her in situations that were inappropriate for things she should not have been criticized for.
Right now, the model’s complaint is just that – a complaint. But if the allegations are true, it shows that some people still believe that it is okay to objectify people just because they are attractive. Unfortunately, this seems to happen more often to women than it does to men, but of course it is not an acceptable way to treat a person of either gender.
Source: The Los Angeles Times, “‘Price Is Right’ model sues show for alleged sexual harassment,” Andrew Blankstein, Sept. 7, 2011.