Letterman: A Setback for Women
To date, the public outrage about David Letterman's affair(s) of the heart has been pretty minimal. Maureen Dowd wrote in the New York Times that "sexual harassment entails pressuring or penalizing a staffer or making the office atmosphere hostile" and she then concludes that since Stephanie Birkitt was promoted there was no sexual harassment. Other than recent statements from groups such as NOW, women commentators and women's groups have generally seemed nonplussed about his conduct and haven't seemed to find it all that objectionable.
I completely disagree. The real point that women and commentators such as Maureen Dowd are missing is was there a "hostile work environment" (the legal term of art required for a Title VII claim of sexual harassment) for the women who Letterman did not bed? The media is in a frenzy focusing on Birkitt and others with whom Letterman may have had relationships. But they are missing what could lead to Letterman's downfall: if women in his office come forward and say they felt victimized, not by unwanted sexual conduct by Letterman, but by a work environment that made them keep this secret, that is enough to trigger a hostile work environment claim. A claim of hostile work environment is not merely limited to whether or not the woman who was the recipient of the conduct felt victimized or felt her job was at risk, but rather applies to any witness of the actions. The key is whether other women in Letterman's office felt that their job was at risk if they reported the conduct or whether they felt that they would not get promoted unless they too engaged in some sort of sexual relationship with the boss.
I just can't imagine that other women in Letterman's office were not bothered by what appeared to be a well known affair in the office, and one that, if the new report in a number of sources suggested today, that the affair continued after Letterman was married. Did they feel that they would lose their job if they came forward about the affair or complained that it made them uncomfortable? Did they feel they were passed over for promotion in favor of Birkitt who clearly was promoted and put visibly on-air time and time again? Did they feel that they must also engage in sexual affairs with Letterman if they wanted to get ahead like Birkitt? The very idea that these young women in the office seem to idolize Letterman and feel he could do no wrong, goes to the heart of why we have laws preventing an environment that puts women on an unequal footing or makes them feel that they need to engage in sexual favors to get ahead. While every indication seems to suggest that the relationship was very much consensual, what message does it send to the rest of Letterman's female staff?
Letterman could have easily found Birkitt another job and taken her out of his workplace environment and continued the affair. And it wasn't as if he just had one office liaison. It seems that by engaging in numerous office romances over the years with young women who worked for him (four different employees over the years, one now being his wife, were reported to have had office affairs with Letterman), that Letterman seemed to have a certain view or expectation of these women.
I am frankly surprised by the rather laissez faire reaction most women seem to have to Letterman's actions. Many people seem to suggest that as a comic he should not be held to the same standard that a politician would. It is too early to tell if Letterman did indeed create a hostile work environment as we simply don't know all the facts. But to say that he should be held to a lesser standard than public figures is ridiculous, especially when for many years he ridiculed philandering politicians and other figures for their sexual transgressions. When one holds themselves out as a moral arbiter or cultural commentator on various mores as Letterman did, it becomes even more disappointing when that person engages in the same conduct that he has pilloried. Why should that standard be any different than for moralizing politicians who trumpet family values on the one hand and engage in affairs on the other hand.
Letterman may have had a ratings bonanza due to his admissions, which may or may not have been his plan, but what he has really served to do is to set back women's rights in a very significant way as women do not seem to be taking this all too seriously. And that's no joke.
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1. Please look up the word "nonplussed." It doesn't mean what you apparently think it means.
2. Why is it never assumed that the woman is using the man as a means to an end? Why is she always presumed to be the victim?
3. Letterman differs from a politician because he is not on the taxpayer's payroll, and he doesn't preach and/or legislate his morality.
It is truly a setback for women because the major womens' groups and womens' talk shows didn't come out with their figurative guns a blazing!
If a person is rich and famous enough, just like Bernie Madoff, and just like Polanski, AND just like the bigwigs in the wallstreet banks with the dirivative scandals, they are given a pass.
They can defraud us, steal from us, and rape us and we say, do it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
G.., SOMEONE HAS TO TURN THIS SHIP AROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Julie, you reveal your close-mindedness when you say you "just can't imagine that other women in Letterman's office were not bothered by what appeared to be a well known affair in the office..."
As long as Letterman treats his staff respectfully, and promotes people based on merit, why would his employees be uncomfortable?
You seem to give greater weight to the potential for wrongdoing than to the lack of evidence Letterman actually transgressed. There's no reason to assume his staff feels the same way you do.
So, at what age should women be allowed to make decisions about their sex life?
The fact of the matter is I doubt Letterman pursued anyone who did not want to be pursued. If it turns out he did, then fine. But nothing has come out to suggest he created a hostile work environment.
Frankly, I am surprised that it hasn't occurred to the blogger and many others that it is not only a woman's issue. What about the male co-workers? Workplace affairs and flirtations affect everyone; not just woman.
Excellent point.
Yes workplace affairs happen all the time and yes, they are frequently among mutually consenting adults but think about the other staffers -- how fantastic is it to be in that environment, trying to stay professional and focussed on work when you are witnessing all of the flirting and special attention being given by the boss to the one (or ones) who have jumped from a professional position to an intimate one? It's not cool and it's not fair. Period.
Back in the day I was approached in various ways by supervisors and other men I worked with. I always turned them down. Didn't want to be "that girl" because I valued my fellow coworkers and wanted to be appreciated for my work ethic. It worked for me. Thankfully I don't feel I suffered any backlash from the rejected "suitors" but yeah, that's another potential sticky situation.
What a bizarre comment. Is Dowd implying that only funny and charming women should have been eligible for the role of Letterman's paramour? How about pretty? Sexy?
She's talking nonsenses, as usual. I never understood her appeal.
Great point...were any women who did not go to "the bunker" become producers, or get little spots on the air???
"When one holds themselves out as a moral arbiter or cultural commentator..."
When did he ever do that? I thought that he was just a comedian doing jokes? Please.
"It is too early to tell if Letterman did indeed create a hostile work environment as we simply don't know all the facts."
You need to keep reminding yourself of that statement. Innocent until proven guilty. But then I didn't realize that he was on trial. If he did abuse his power in the workplace, yes, he should face consequences, but until then, your broad, ludicrous posting being a "setback for women" is ridiculous.
I would think that women of sound minds would have the knowledge to know when they're being harassed in the workplace and act accordingly by reporting the said behavior or taking legal recourse. As of today these women did neither. So stop with the "women as helpless victims" whining.
Agreed. These were adults consulting to a relationship. Stop with the faux outrage - it cheapens legitimate concerns about women's/victim's rights.
Why not direct your vitriol toward the extortionist/blackmailer, where it belongs?
The only thing that would have bothered me is if one or both of them were married. It is none of my business if you want to sell your body to the highest bidder. Women do it to get promoted and they will continue to do it.
Quote Maureen Dowd: "Stephanie Birkitt, his former lover and assistant, described herself as his best friend. She was not punished but rewarded with a recurring on-air starring role — despite the fact that she wasn’t funny or charming."
I watched Maureen Dowd when she made her rounds on a book promotion tour. She was neither "funny or charming" and used her feminine wiles, flirting with the likes of David Letterman, & Chris Matthews to hawk her book. Not being a fan of her column or writing, perhaps I can take make a jump and assume that some of her advancement is not dissimilar from that of Ms. Birkitt, thus Dowd's presumption of an inconsequential scenario ?
I don't know whether the environment at Letterman's show's is hostile, or not, but I certainly wouldn't make any determination of that based on any opinion of Dowd's.
Correction: Letterman's show
Look, there's no witch here for you to burn. Take the torches and pitchforks and return to the village.
Sexual harrassment is a very serious issue, but at the moment, we have no solid evidence that it occurred at "Late Show." The only person complaining is the guy whose girlfriend slept with Letterman. As more info leaks out, we may discover that harrassment did actually occur, and if so, I think more people will express outrage. Right now, all we have is "office nookie," which appears to be among consenting adults.
bottom line, it should be illegal for co-workers to have sexual relationships because under the current laws, any sexual relationship at work or even any flirtatious behavior could technically lead to a "hostile work environment" for either the people involved in the relationship or for other coworkers.
do y'all see how these laws or interpretation of these laws are ridiculous?
I said as much on another post and some fool asked me to define sexual harassment. Hello?? I even stated where this definition comes from as well as the fact that it doesn't matter if the person consented or not. Dave is in a position of power and abused it. Barbara Walters said he didn't violate any rules of the network. She is know its a federal law, and so should Dave.
Little or no outrage when Letterman attacked offerred up sexual inuendos about Sarah.Palin's teen aged daughter from women's groups and female writers but now they are starting to fire on this. Talk about selective indignation?
No, my outrage was aimed at Sarah Palin for offering up her daughter to further her political career.
I wasn't outraged by it, maybe more shocked and troubled that she would accept running for vice president while her teenage daughter was pregnant - and all that would go with that.
Well first of all, he thought it was Bristol at the game. And Bristol DID get pregnant as a teen, despite her mom's insistence that abstinence education works.
But you probably claim that Letterman purposely made a joke about 14-year-old Willow, who no one had over heard of up to that point. Yeah, you keep believing that.
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