The recent articles by the Seattle Times and The Herald on Snohomish County’s mishandling of sexual harassment complaints — or worse, simply not responding at all — comes as no surprise to many of us who have worked there.
Unfortunately, the problem is far worse than even these two reports reveal, is not limited to Planning and Development Services, and most definitely is not limited to sexual harassment. Diversity czars, diversity councils, anti-harassment and anti-bullying workshops, EEOC officers and grandiose promises of protection and enforcement have repeatedly and systematically failed at all levels of management, all the way to the sixth floor executive offices with the bullet-proof reception windows.
I once posed a question to Mark Knudsen regarding his protracted “investigation” into bullying in the workplace: “So you’re saying, Mark, that as long as there are no witnesses to the act, that people here can pretty much get away with whatever they want?” His reply (with a smirky grin): “Yes, I suppose that’s correct.” This was his response after two years of waiting, pleading, reminding over and over, and ultimately giving up on ever receiving a “finding” from his office. This story is true, it is not unusual and it is not an exaggeration.
The upcoming dog and pony show of an independent investigation must include not only complaints of sexual harassment, but of racial bias, sexual orientation, bullying and stalking and must be countywide if it is to be anything more than smoke and mirrors made of bullet-proof glass.
I’ll let you know if I still have a job after writing this.
Randi Ouri
Arlington
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
