Question

Sanders Sporting Goods, an international sporting goods chain, is being sued for sexual harassment by a former Sanders employee. The plaintiff asserts that she was the victim of numerous unwanted sexual advances from a co-worker. The employee claims that Sanders' management condoned a hostile work environment and that the company is liable for the actions of the employee. Which of the following, if true, would best support the plaintiff's argument that Sanders is liable for sexual harassment?
A) Sanders re-published its sexual harassment policy twice within the last year.
B) The HR department at Sanders has records of the plaintiff's initial complaints.
C) Sanders lacks a management response system for handling sexual harassment complaints.
D) Sanders recently lost a court case filed by former employees who claimed disparate treatment.

Answer 1

Answer:

Sanders Sporting Goods Company

The statement that supports the plaintiff's argument that Sanders is liable for sexual harassment is:

C) Sanders lacks a management response system for handling sexual harassment complaints.

Explanation:

A management response system will show that Sanders is not liable for the sexual harassment of this former employee.  Sanders must have done what is required before the case gets out of its hand by ensuring that the co-worker and everyone else fully appreciates the company's policy on the issue. For example, it can publish its policy regularly to enable everyone to be on the same page.