Prolly this kind of behavior is on another level compared to the very bad ones these folks in the news seemed to have engaged in, on a long-term basis. There is a line.

 

I don't know, David, you looked pretty hot in those shorts last summer.

 

My hope is that out of all of this we will collectively come with a finer definition or granularity of what constitutes sexual harassment.
The extremes range from ' hi you look nice today" to " if you don't sleep with me, your job is gone and the next girl will."
The first in isolation is an innocent coworker being pleasant. Obviously repeated and more explicit comments push over the line.
The latter about as clear and direct a case as your can get. Throw in groping and filthy and degrading language and you've got a full course meal.

 

If I was working today, it looks like my ass would be thrown in jail in two seconds. I've touched women on the back (not bottom back) ala Garrison Keillor. I've patted them on the back for a job well done. Hell, I've even hugged some for a job well done. My entire career from the late '70s to retirement was supported and advanced by many great women that worked for me. This current state of affairs would have me walking on ball bearings at work.

 

Yup.

 

In this case, where there is smoke, there's fire. Mr. Lauer's statement:

"There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry."As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.

 

^ X2

 

I'd bail you out, Harry! A celebratory hug, or a pat on the back should not be a big deal, but somehow it is now. Heck, they even discourage little kids from hugging each other in some circumstances....Teaching kids about boundaries is important, and it carries into the working world...Boundaries are good, but maybe we've gone too far....and there is the issue of some people who may play that "harassment card" a bit too easily. It's a complicated world.

 

Typical lawyer prepared How can or will he explain the button under his desk that locked his office door so he could act as he wished?

 

According to what I read, the button/locking device is not unusual for a high profile anchor....maybe it's to keep bad guys out, however it appears, one of the bad guys had control of the locking device.