Current Event II

Treatment of Female Employees

Second current event that I would like to talk about is the treatment of female employees in National Football League because there have been reports that the workplace culture there is “overtly hostile to women” (Belson & Rosman, 2022). 

Six state attorneys general said that they have concerns about allegations of workplace harassment of women and minorities in the N.F.L. In a letter sent by chief legal officers more than 30 former employees describe experiencing a demoralizing culture (Belson & Rosman, 2022). 

There are many claims of widespread sexual harassment happening in the N.F.L. “The allegations included female staff members saying they had been forced to watch a video showing the former running back Ray Rice knocking unconscious his then-fiancée; being asked to publicly declare if they had been victims of domestic violence; and being marginalized or pushed out of their jobs if they questioned the N.F.L.’s handling of sexual harassment issues” (Belson & Rosman, 2022). 

The N.F.L. denied that “women, and particularly women of color, were sidelined or that the league was insensitive to the issues of gender and racial inequality,” and stated, “We share the commitment of the attorneys general to ensuring that all of our workplaces — including the league office and 32 clubs — are diverse, inclusive and free from discrimination and harassment” (Belson & Rosman, 2022). 

These investigations are led by female politician, lawyer, and activist Letitia James, who became the first Black woman elected in 2018 as New York’s attorney general, with the mission to confront companies and employers accused of sexual harassment and abuse. Her investigations range from high-profile to less visible cases. Most recently, James supervised an investigation against an American lawyer and former governor of New York Andrew Cuomo. Her office released a devastating detailed report saying, “Cuomo had harassed multiple women, including current and former government employees, from an executive assistant to a female state trooper” (Belson & Rosman, 2022). 

By this event I wanted to point to the long-time problem of sexual harassment and abuse of women and unequal attitudes towards women regarding occupations and “expectations” from women in general. Women are often immensely sexualized in the media (particularly in advertisements), which makes them again very vulnerable and submissive objects. These portrayals may lead or may contribute to disrespectful, unequal, harming, or harassing behavior towards women. Also, the overall sexualization of women contribute to several mental health problems among young girls, like eating disorders, depression, or low self-esteem. Further, girls may struggle to develop a healthy self-image (Paddock, 2007).

References:

Belson, K., & Rosman, K. (2022). Attorneys General Have ‘Grave Concerns’ About NFL’s Treatment of Female Employees. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/06/sports/football/nfl-sexual-harassment-women.html

Paddock, C. (2007). Sexualization Of Girls In The Media Is Harmful. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/63514#1