Weather Channel Anchor Hillary Andrews Wins Bob Stokes Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

TMZ.com, the New York Post and other racier news outlets have had fun with the Hillary Andrews-Bob Stokes sexual harassment lawsuit filed over behavior at the Weather Channel. What's wrong joking about sexual harassment? After all, isn't TMZ just being playful like Bob Stokes? What's wrong? Can't women like Hillary Andrews take a little saucy joke or occasional come-on line now and again? When does it become sexual harassment?

The New York Post in their article subtitled "Weather Gal Wins Suit Over Anchor's Stormy Inter-lewds" chose to headline their article with the offensive come-on line used by Bob Stokes. I feel offended just reading and writing the headline. Imagine what Weather Channel anchor Hillary Andrews must have felt when Bob Stokes sexual harassment continued with other overt sexual comments and asking inappropriate questions about her personal life.

Weather Channel Anchor Hillary Andrews Initially Bumped From Prime-Time to Overnight

According to bittenandbound.com, Andrews worked for The Weather Channel from 2003-2006 when Bob Stokes sexual harassment began when Hillary Andrews co-anchored a prime-time weekend show. When Hillary Andrews complained about the sexual harassment by Bob Stokes, The Weather Channel shifted her to the overnight shift and did not renew her contract.

After nearly 10 years as a meteorologist, I'm sure Hillary Andrews did not picture her broadcasting career to include lascivious headlines such as the one above from the National Ledger labeling her sexual harassment case against The Weather Channel as a sex scandal. Who wants to be the whistle blower? When I was in broadcasting school in my first job working at a radio station, when I did not reciprocate my supervisor's affections, I was riffed from my previous shifts to working overnight just like Hillary Andrews. It did not occur to me at the time to report this abuse of authority.

My Personal Experience in Broadcasting With Sexual Harassment

I was 21. Unlike Hillary Andrews, it was my first job working at a radio station and I went on a couple of dates with my supervisor. Then I decided things just didn't feel right so I didn't return his calls. I had never dated in high school so I was oblivious to proper dating etiquette. I had never broken up with anyone before. We weren't exactly boyfriend/girlfriend but still I recognize it was pretty lousy of me not to at least have done the "you're a great guy, but not right for me" speech. I never saw him at work but since he was in charge of posting the schedules, suddenly my regular shifts were changed to include a few overnight shifts - working graveyard shift is the death knell in broadcasting just as what happened to Hillary Andrews when she brought her sexual harassment case against Bob Stokes and The Weather Channel.

Confronting Management About Sexual Harassment

When I went to confront my boss about the change in schedule, he said he did so knowing it would force me to come talk to him since I wasn't returning his calls. In response to the shift changes, he then recited weaknesses in my performance which interestingly enough never came up before when he was trying to seduce me. Clever and sneaky. He was covering his a#% citing my performance failures so he could not be accused of sexual harassment preventing a lawsuit such as Hillary Andrews. Being young and naive, angry and embarrassed, my eyes burned a hole in the carpet in front of me. His parting shot was that I could have at least been adult enough to have the courtesy to break up with someone in person. I felt ashamed. I had no recourse, since he clearly outlined my poor performance, I did not bother to take up the issue with anyone else.

What I Wish I Had Done About the Sexual Harassment

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, what constitutes sexual harassment is "when submission to or rejection of this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment." In retrospect, there are several things I would have done differently.

#1. Stand Up For Myself. Confront the Individual About the Sexual Harassment.
I wished I had turned around the feedback to him saying he should separate his balls from his bic when writing up the schedule. It would be unfair to others if I was getting more favorable schedules because he was seeking my attention plus he should have been more professional in addressing my performance issues.

#2. Don't Date the Boss to Avoid Sexual Harassment
When someone is your supervisor or in the position where they could influence your employment, it's best not to even put yourself in a situation which could impact your next pay check. You will find yourself postponing a break-up if things should take a turn for the worse. Plus you don't want to jeopardize your career. If you feel nervous about even turning down a request for a date in fear of retribution, take note in a journal or more importantly talk to someone in human resources or management to make them aware of the situation and your reluctance to date someone in the company so it's on record should any negative consequences arise.

#3. Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Some people think it's okay to make suggestive comments like Bob Stokes. The ruling in favor of Hillary Andrews sends a strong message to all men and women who may confuse flirting with inappropriate discourse in the work place. To be on the absolute safe side, it's best to avoid any comments that can be misconstrued altogether. Flirting has no place at work. The same goes for touching and lewd jokes. Some people don't mind either. But even the simple brush of an arm can be perceived as offensive, there is no business need to ever have to touch a co-worker. While some people feel that over-sensitivity about brash behavior could create a restrictive environment with less camaraderie, how do dirty jokes improve the bottom line?

#4. Don't Be Afraid to Speak Up Like Hillary Andrews
If you're unsure about whether you or someone you know at work has a legitimate sexual harassment claim, you'll find a clear definition by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in "Facts About Sexual Harassment". Most large companies and now even the smallest companies have clear sexual harassment policies in place. If you are feeling uncomfortable but are reluctant to report sexual harassment, start by saying something to the person offending you. Then at least talk to someone else such as a co-worker or a friend if you fear retaliation by management or the company's owners.

#5. Do What's Right
If you're a victim of sexual harassment like Hillary Andrews, it's perfectly understandable why you don't want to do anything because you are afraid to rock the boat or jeopardize your career. But take courage in Hillary Andrews and her willingness to confront Bob Stokes and The Weather Channel because you want to do right not just for yourself but you want to prevent other women from having to endure undue harassment such as what Hillary Andrews experienced from Bob Stokes. Hillary Andrews raised greater awareness of sexual harassment and exposed the unacceptable response of the management team at The Weather Channel and has bravely championed recognition of the issue of sexual harassment.

For Inspiration & Courage
Rent, buy and/or view the DVD of North Country starring Charlize Theron based on the real-life story of Lois Jenson based on the book Class Action: The Story of Lois Jenson and the Landmark Case That Changed Sexual Harassment Law.

SOURCES:
TMZ Staff, "Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Ass Groping", May 6, 2008, TMZ.com
Andy Geller, "Will You Lick My Swizzle Stick", May 7, 2008, New York Post
Andrea in Across the Nation, "Hillary Andrews Wins Sexual Harassment Case Against Bob Stokes", May 7, 2008, bittenandbound.com
Leslie Warren, "Weather Channel Sex Scandal, Hillary Andrews Wins Harassment Case Against Bob Stokes", May 7, 2008, National Ledger
"Facts About Sexual Harassment", The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, eeoc.gov