Members speak out about sexual harassment at work, MMB listens

Shortly after Gov. Mark Dayton issued a letter to MMB Commissioner Myron Frans asking for a thorough review of the state’s sexual harassment policy, MAPE asked to participate in the overhaul of the policy.

A survey was sent to all MAPE members, who responded with valuable feedback, and in some cases, alarming stories of personal experiences with harassment at work. Member leaders and advocates from the state’s Sexual Violence Prevention Program also hosted a dinner discussion in December, where members were encouraged to share their stories, thoughts and opinions about the current state policy.

MAPE used both the survey and the listening session to draft a set of five policy recommendations to deliver to MMB.

“The stories from our members were invaluable to drafting MAPE’s policy improvement recommendations,” said Johanna Schussler, a MAPE member who’s leading MAPE’s involvement in this process. “Thank you to everyone who shared their personal experiences with this issue. And to those who did not or could not, please know that we’re doing this work with you in mind as well.”

A small group of members met with MMB Deputy Commissioner Edwin Hudson to deliver MAPE’s recommendations and share their personal experiences with sexual harassment while working for the state. Members’ spoke about their feelings of fear, intimidation and the accompanying serious health effects.

After hearing these stories, Hudson acknowledged there is room for improvement in the state’s policy.

“Thank you for sharing your stories today,” he said. “You shouldn’t have to be in this situation you’re in. We have a lot of work to do in our culture and our workplace.”

MAPE’s made the following recommendations for improving the state’s sexual harassment policy:

• Support of victims/survivors of sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence must be the single, highest priority,
• Process for the intake, investigation and disposition of complaints should be thoroughly revamped,
• Perpetrators’ abuse of power should be given much greater weight when determining how to deal with the abusers,
• Training offered by the state ensure victims/survivors feel safe and able to come forward with their stories of abuse and offenders are not able to claim that they did not know their behavior was wrong, and
• Inter-agency prevention plan must be developed and implemented to ensure workplace culture changes from harmful to healthy.

MMB representatives say they’re currently in the process of finalizing a draft of the report for the governor’s review.