#METOO: How to create a safe, harassment-free workplace.

• Author: Snow, Christopher B.
• Position: Legal Brief

My 12-year old daughter, Jane, inquired into the subject matter of this article. I hesitated, but ultimately informed her it was on sexual harassment in the workplace. The response I got was: "You're weird, Dad!" I hope one day in my lifetime there will not be a pressing need to address such a "weird" topic. But alas, this topic needs to be addressed now more than ever, for Jane, and for the rising and current generation of female workers in Utah. The recent explosion of sexual harassment allegations and reckoning has been astounding:

* The Weinstein Company fires Harvey Weinstein amid allegations of sexual harassment, assault and rape (October 8, 2017).

* National Public Radio forces Michael Oreskes to resign for forcibly kissing two women while discussing job prospects and amid another claim in October 2015 of sexual harassment (November 1, 2017).

* Netflix terminates its production relationship with Kevin Spacey as a result of multiple on- and offset sexual harassment allegations (October 2017).

* NBC News terminates its contract with Mark Halperin after five women came forward alleging he harassed them (November 2017).

* Amazon Studios Programming Chief Roy Price resigns after allegations of sexual harassment from multiple women on multiple occasions (October 2017).

* SoFI CEO steps down after claims of managers' sexual harassment (September 12, 2017).

* 21st Century Fox pays out $50 million in costs and fees to settle harassment claims against Fox News (August 14, 2017).

* Uber CEO takes leave of absence amid sexual harassment scandal (June 13, 2017).

* BetterWorks CEO steps down following accusations of sexual assault and sexual harassment (July 26, 2017).

What's more haunting are the accounts of thousands of #metoo stories uncovering rampant workplace harassment throughout the United States. In anticipation of the New Year, the time is right for Utah companies to consider the current state of their work environment and culture. Do your employees feel safe from sexual harassment? Do your policies invite a "see something say something" environment, or is there a "head in the sand" culture? Is your company ignoring "Harvey Weinstein" patterns and behaviors? What can your company do differently this year to ensure your most valuable asset, your employees, are safe from sexually harassing behavior, and your company is protected from erosion of goodwill and significant legal liability?

For six out of the last seven years, Utah has ranked...