Training, education and an open-door policy are best. It’s true that for many years and many men, it’s been the “good old boys club.” That’s not fair to women, and no it is not right. Whether it be an inappropriate remark or an unwanted sexual gesture, women should never have to put up with this. Employees have got to learn what it means when we say the “workplace.” No, it’s not a time for fun and games, it’s not a time for personal chit-chat, and it is most definitely not the time for flirting, adult humor and bad behavior. When the work environment has these issues, the company is not being productive, and employees should either seek employment elsewhere, or when they are the problem, be terminated. Men and women in the workplace are equal and should be treated that way with the same job expectations, compensation and advancement opportunities. We have a lot to learn, but I’m happy to see that we are beginning to take a stand to treat everyone, not just women,… Read more »

First, kudos to the RetailWire editors for having the courage to put a controversial issue out for discussion on this platform.

I think the most important thing for retailers is to recognize the importance of creating dialogue about these real issues. Most people (even most of the men who may be guilty of saying and doing inappropriate things) want to do the right thing, but don’t know how to talk about it. This is no different than any other industry, except for the larger than average % of women in much of the retail industry. Whether inappropriate behavior, lack of gender or racial diversity, or the backlash to the #metoo movement, the only way forward is through dialogue.

This is an amazing opportunity for retail executives and boards to finally break through the challenges of seeing real positive change, vs. only words of intention. But it will only happen through honest dialogue and real action. The most important action is to call out bad behavior when you see it, and never ever do it yourself.

All companies, not just retailers, must have a zero tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior. Sadly my own mother has shared horror stories of how she was treated years ago in many male dominated workplaces, and fired when she complained! It is unfathomable to me how disrespected and abused women like my mother have been treated at work.

You must give people a safe place to report any incidents and make sure they don’t just report it to one person alone in a room where they feel intimidated. Most women are still afraid to lose their jobs for speaking up.

This isn’t complicated. RESPECT WOMEN! Hire consultants and have a mandatory appropriate behavior class for every single member of your company! We sadly can’t fix the poor behavior that went on in the past, but we can change the future.

Working in a company that blazed the trail for women earlier than most any corporation, I can say I am proud to be with an organization that values all employees for their contributions. Treat women, minorities … EVERYONE as you would like to be treated. Don’t do or say anything to a colleague that you wouldn’t do or say to your spouse. Management must lead by example and ensure no favoritism for ANY employee.

Retail and politics — business and politics, really — seldom mix. The only thing they should be “taking” from this, hopefully, is a sense of relief that they weren’t condoning such things.