Harassment in the workplace, sexual or otherwise, is something I take very seriously. In my home and on the set, I have been surrounded for years by hardworking women (and men) whom I respect and whose rights are to be protected. But when people make false claims of harassment particularly for financial gain, it must be defended vigorously and openly, for it weakens the claims of legitimate victims.
A former employee is demanding my wife Sheryl and I pay her $1.5 million by the end of the week or she will accuse us both of a vicious laundry list of false terribles. It is an attempt to damage and humiliate not only my wife and me, but our two young sons as well. My family is devastated at this betrayal; this woman worked in our home and traveled with us off and on for seven years, without complaint. In fact, she left other jobs to return to work for us three different times. Several weeks ago she quit abruptly, leaving us without a replacement. Within days we received these texts from her explaining her sudden departure:
------ SMS Text ------
From: (phone number redacted)
Sent: Feb 25, 2008 9:47 AM
Subject: Sheryl, I am really sorry.
Sheryl, I am really sorry. I have nothing bad 2 say about your family and really am thankful for what you guys have done for me over the years. I hope we can handle this as friends. I did not leave out of spite or anger, it was just time for my heart to let go. I am embarassed that I just up and left like this but I could not see another way. It was time for me to move on. I'm sure you and rob feel the same. My heart has not been in the job and that is not fair to you or the boys. I have nothing but love and respect for your family and would love to maintain a caring relationship with you guys. You have been a huge part of my life for so many years it will be hard to let go of those boys. I am really sorry Sheryl! Jess Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
------ SMS Text ------
From: (phone number redacted)
Sent: Feb 25, 2008 10:29 AM
Subject: Thank you so much sheryl and I...
Thank you so much sheryl and I really am sorry. Please tell the kids it had nothing 2 do w them, they are absolutely amazing boys. It had nothing to do with you or rob either, this was me. I love you guys. Ps tell rob I'm really sorry as well
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Does that sound like someone who has been treated badly? Nothing about abuse in the workplace or inappropriate conduct; nothing about discrepancies with monies owed, no explanation as to why she would return numerous times to a job she considered so abusive. Just a correct assessment of her relationship with our family. But clearly, if you are going to demand a million-five for supposed "anguish" suffered in our home, you'd better change your tune fast; so she did.
Everyone knows we live in a time where public figures are targets. But I also know of many people in everyday life who are paying the price of a climate where anyone can accuse anybody of anything, anytime, and hope for a big cash pay-off at the end. "Hush money" to just go away. Well I won't go away. No one intimidates my family. My wife and I have many former and long term employees, all of whom know this woman, who can and will refute any claims of anything inappropriate in our home, or anywhere else. We will defend ourselves with vigor and without fear.
We live in a time where businesses build glass-walled offices to prevent this exact kind of "his-word-against-mine" extortion. But you can't build a world of glass. You shouldn't have to live in fear of being alone in a room with a co-worker or having to tip-toe through your own home. Conversely, legitimate sexual harassment, when proved-up, with witnesses and proper documentation is to be dealt with severely.
During her time in our home my wife tried to mentor this young woman. She took her into her confidence. We took her into our hearts. Having 18 years of sobriety, both my wife and I tried to be supportive as she struggled with personal issues. But we never saw this coming. Apparently, she wanted more. Recently, a colleague of hers has come forward to reveal that this young woman had "a crush" on me and told her on many occasions, "I wish he would get a divorce."
My two boys are Jewish, by way of my wife. The other day I asked their rabbi for advice. She said: "People see threats for what they are, just as they see truth for what it is." I hope that's true. I don't want to live in a world of glass.
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Oh, boo-hoo-ho
Go chat with your lawyers, Robbie. For enough cash, even THEY might care - a little.
PA Firefighte
Its now been mentioned on infotainme
Robbie, your sleazy past makes those of us who remember wonder what was going on in your household. And I doubt it was the fault of all your former employees.
Get lost.
Jobs aren't forever and they shouldn't be. If you are a worker who feels like you are getting abused, then LEAVE. I've done that about ten times (usually cuz the "abuse" I felt was not getting more $$$), but you are not a slave. Just go away.
There is a scene from The West Wing where C.J. lectures Rob Lowe about his "chickens coming home to roost" about some bad business deal that he had done as a private sector lawyer years ago. But now he can feel that in real life.... You Democrats have propped up these two groups that are WRECKING America and now are hitting you too, Rob: the labor unions, and the trial lawyers, who believe you should be able to sue anyone, for any reason, for any amount.
And drag their name through the mud too... I hope you learned a bit here.
No, it's the GOP who have given us the Bush administra
Bush's administra
The GOP has destroyed the moral high ground that has been characteri
The GOP has mocked the science of global climate change, directing us away steps towards energy independen
The GOP has enabled Bush's interpreta
All of those things that Republican
If they did Mr. Lowe, then get another lawyer - trust me, you need one.
(Just some friendly advice).
In my book, more lawyers equal more trouble. On the other hand, Rob broke the principle rule of "never volunteer informatio
I basically believe him. But offering up informatio
Let us know, because really, the answer holds a major key to the formation of public opinion around these parts.
Not to in any way state that Lowe is guilty. Who's to know? Certainly not me. But I am struck as always by the ready media access available to champion the message of the rich and well-conne
This just proves my point. HuffPost has given Lowe the opportunit
Nice.
The way things go in the court of public opinion, many people will automatica
I know nothing more about this case than Mr Lowe wrote here, so I'm neither defending nor condemning him and his family. I'm just pointing out that Mr Lowe is getting his side of the story out before the potential media storm that will come when the accuser is heard. Whether the accuser's case is legitimate or not, they will likely be paid a lot of money just to speak to media outlets about it.
Anyway, the bottom line is that whether Mr Lowe and his family are guilty of anything or not, the media will likely give their accuser a very large forum indeed.
Guilty or no, HuffPost is doing a disservice by providing Lowe with an opportunit
Seems like teaching your kids (and maybe even Jessica, by example!) that part, instead of the part about an eye for an eye and might makes right etc. might help with their extreme emotional distress from finding out the nanny tells lies, loves them for a paycheck and not otherwise (hey- it's SoCal- everyone's an actor!) and is a disloyal contract-b
Check out Colin Tipping's Radical Forgivenes
Peace...
1. He sued three former employees on unrelated charges. THREE AT THE SAME TIME . All three of them just happened to commit actions that justified a lawsuit--a
2. He is trying to shut them up, especially Gibson and Boyce. (even if he is telling the truth he's trying to shut her up.) By filing a lawsuit claiming she has defamed them by breaking confidenti
But the wierd part of this is she has to be able to defend herself. I just hope they are all three getting good legal advice--it must be scary.
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