Sexual Harassment: Pool Side

Problem Situation

You are the director at the Wind Valley YWCA. Brandon Smith is an 11-year veteran employee with a history of excellent evaluations. Last Week during a Red Cross lifeguard training session, a participant accused Brandon of sexual harassment.

The participant, Mary Jones, claimed that during a backboard rescue, Brandon Smith touched her inappropriately while fastening the boards chest strap. Although this procedure is part of the requirements of a proper rescue, Ms. Jones has issued several complaints, including those to the American Red Cross, the Wind Valley YWCA aquatics director, and the YWCA Board of Directors. She also contacted local authorities.

Police reports indicate that Mary Joness reaction was understandable but unable to be justified. There were no witnesses who came forward for Ms. Jones, and nobody appears to want to get involved with the incident.

The Wind Valley YWCA has a reputation as one of the best facilities in the area. There has never been a previous case of sexual harassment claims. Brandon Smith has a clean record that shows nothing less than being a professional. Some participants in the American Red Cross lifeguard training class have begun withdrawing from the rest of the training because of their uneasiness with the situation. Rumors are spreading in the locker rooms and at other activities now. The issue is dividing your staff at the YWCA, and employee morale has obviously decreased. Though Brandon Smith stands legally innocent, his behavior has changed dramatically. He is more withdrawn lately and tends to avoid speaking to others. The latest gossip implies that there is a petition being sent around the agency asking that the accusations be investigated further at an agency level.

Questions

1. Should Brandon be fired even though he has never been in trouble before?
2. Would suspending him be helpful in keeping this agency running smoothly for the duration of the training?
3. Should the police be involved again though the case has been dismissed?
4. On the other hand, should Marys membership be suspended for harassing the staff and keeping the rumors alive?
5. Will a staff meeting be enough to clarify the situation and stifle any developing rumors?
6. Will ignoring the issue and letting it all pass over work in this situation?
7. Describe what you might do to protect this agency, its programming, and most important, its members and staff.