September 26, 2012 (Press-News.org) Most people know that harassment or discrimination against someone just because they are another race, religion, nationality or gender is wrong on several levels. Not only are there moral reasons to not discriminate against others, there are numerous state and federal laws in place like Title VII (prohibiting discrimination in the workplace) and Title IX (prohibiting discrimination at educational institutions) aimed at ensuring fair treatment for all.
Surprisingly, one of the federal government's own organizations - the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - has been plagued with complaints of gender-based harassment and discrimination for years. The agency has tried to address the issue in the past, even going so far as to draft and release a years-old zero tolerance policy, that decries discrimination and harassment because of:
- Race
- Religion
- Color
- Sex (including gender identity and pregnancy)
- National origin
- Age
- Physical or mental disability
- Status as a parent
- Retaliation for prior whistleblowing activity
- Any "other matter unrelated to merit"
The agency has a long history of sexual harassment, discrimination and mistreatment, though, particularly against women. For example, a 1995 class action lawsuit was brought against the agency seeking promotions, raises, new assignments and career development for 450 women in a variety of CIA positions. A more recent complaint, this one in 2007, was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) by women operatives who alleged that they were being treated more harshly than male counterparts when both had violated an agency tenet and engaged in relationships with foreigners.
One issue faced by the CIA that many other organizations and businesses likely won't have to deal with is the prevalence of discriminatory behaviors in war zones. Female CIA operatives, analysts and other employees have long complained about harassing behaviors of colleagues and superiors in "high stress areas," most commonly in the form of lewd comments or jokes. Recent surveys of more senior positions in the agency have found that there is a surprising amount of physical harassment (like inappropriate touches and sexual advances) as well.
The surveys were performed by the CIA's own Office of Medical Services in 2009 and again in 2011. The disheartening results led the CIA's director, David Petraeus, to issue a warning to all agency staff that the zero-tolerance policy is still in force. In addition to a strongly worded memo, Petraeus also ordered the assignment of a "counselor and investigator" at active CIA posts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia and other countries with a strong CIA presence who will be responsible for both collecting complaints of sexual harassment or discrimination and giving victims the support they need.
There is no way yet to tell if Director Petraeus' initiatives from this year have had or will have an impact on sexual harassment within the CIA. In the meantime, if you or a loved one is dealing with on-the-job sexual harassment or discrimination - whether you work for the agency or not - seek the advice of an experienced employment law attorney in your area to learn more about your legal rights and options you may have that could make the harassment end.
Article provided by T. Joshua Ritz & Associates, Attorneys-At-Law
Visit us at www.rrhllp.com
CIA Trying to Get Past Its "Old Boys' Club" Reputation by Ending Sexual Harassment
The Central Intelligence Agency is taking steps to end sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination.
2012-09-26
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Helping Your Children With the Stress of Divorce
2012-09-26
When you have kids, the decision to divorce brings a host of heart-wrenching concerns. Each phase of youth, from babyhood to adolescence and from teenage years to college, has its own requirements for healthy development. Steering children through these important times in life is challenging under normal circumstances, but divorcing parents know that the additional life changes divorce brings will require special parental attention and guidance.
What We Know
When it comes to shepherding your kids through a divorce, the experts largely agree on a few major points:
- ...
Bankruptcy and Keeping Your House
2012-09-26
If your financial position is becoming precarious, and there never seems to be enough money anymore, a bankruptcy may be the solution.
For situations that are truly desperate, a Chapter 7 may allow you to discharge practically all of your debts and start fresh.
If things have not grown quite that dire, a Chapter 13 may allow you to restructure much of your debt, and regain financial stability.
What If You Own a Home?
Homeownership and bankruptcy is a complex scenario. Because of the variability of the circumstance, your best option is to contact a bankruptcy ...
Texas Supreme Court: In-Person Notification Mandated for TPR Cases
2012-09-26
The Texas Supreme Court recently issued a landmark ruling that could affect thousands of child protection cases annually brought by the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS). The verdict was the result of years-long legal wrangling between the DFPS and a mother who had lost custody of her children following a state-sponsored lawsuit.
Background of the Case
This landmark decision -- Supreme Court of Texas No. 11-0282, In the Interest of E.R., J.B., E.G., and C.L., Children -- concerns a DFPS petition to terminate the parental rights of four children. ...
Deadly Train Crash in Nevada Leads to Numerous Lawsuits
2012-09-26
A deadly train accident that occurred last year has resulted in a number of lawsuits and has left the Nevada Department of Transportation considering ways to prevent similar public transportation crashes.
The accident at the center of the litigation occurred when a truck driver with a Nevada-based trucking company skidded along Hwy 95 and hit a train with 218 passengers. As a result, four people were killed, including the train's conductor, and another 101 were injured.
After the deadly accident, several lawsuits were filed, naming the Nevada Department of Transportation, ...
Bankruptcy Eliminates Tax Consequences for Cancellation of Debt
2012-09-26
Cancellation of Debt
In the current slow economy, many Americans are struggling to make ends meet. Individuals are over their heads in expenses and debt. The good news is that some financial institutions will discharge some payment obligations, thus eliminating one's duty to repay certain loans. However, the bad news is that generally, discharged debt qualifies as realized wealth, which is taxable income under federal law. Therefore, one must usually pay taxes on any relieved debt.
In the year that the cancellation of debt occurs, the lender reports the released debt ...
How to Reduce or End Child Support Obligations When Necessary
2012-09-26
When a court hands a child support order to a non-custodial parent, he or she may feel like the financial burden will last a lifetime. However, with a court order and the help of an experienced family law attorney, there are ways to reduce or even stop one's child support commitment when it becomes financially necessary to do so.
When Child Support Usually Stops
In Illinois, under normal circumstances, a parent's commitment to pay child support ends by the date stipulated in the child support order. If a parent receives an order with no end date, he or she is obligated ...
Colorado Workers' Comp: Help for Employee Injury, Illness and Death
2012-09-26
Before workers' compensation, job-related injury, disease and death often devastated individuals and families financially. Most victims in the early years of industrialization had difficulty affording attorneys and lawsuits to seek damages from their employers.
Those who were able to sue were often unable to show employer liability because of laws that blocked recovery when victims contributed to their own injuries in some way or were legally found to have assumed the risk of workplace injury by taking those jobs.
With roots in Europe, workers' compensation systems ...
Johns Hopkins Study: Misdiagnosis Kills 40,500 ICU Patients Every Year
2012-09-26
Intensive care units are designed to house the most critically ill and injured patients. If someone is admitted to the ICU, it is likely because their life is in jeopardy.
So, it comes as no surprise to learn that patients die in intensive care units every day. However, many people would be shocked to learn that approximately 40,500 ICU patients die each year, not because their conditions have progressed to the point where their lives can no longer be saved, but because their doctors failed to spot a hidden life-threatening medical condition.
According to a recent ...
New Study Finds Driver Error Causes Most Commercial Truck Accidents
2012-09-26
A new study out of Kansas State University has determined that nearly three-quarters of fatal commercial trucking accidents in that state result from truck driver errors. Virginia and national statistics do not vary widely from those in Kansas. Truck drivers may be held accountable for these errors if they injure or kill another road user.
Driver Errors Cause Many Traffic Fatalities
The Kansas State researchers studied commercial truck accident data between 2004 and 2008 and found that there were nearly 19,000 commercial truck crashes in Kansas during those years. ...
Who Is at Fault in Rear-End and Other Collisions?
2012-09-26
No one expects that they will get into a motor vehicle accident as they pull out of their garage to go to work in the morning. However, getting into an accident is usually a question of "when," not "if". The average American will be involved in a motor vehicle accident once every ten years. When the accident does occur, it is important to know how to determine who is liable for the injuries and property damage that results.
What Is Liability?
In a motor vehicle accident, the party that causes the crash is liable for the accident, meaning that they ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
New evidence of long-distance travelers in Seddin during the Bronze Age
Newly dated 85-million-year-old dino eggs could improve understanding of Cretaceous climate
From noise to power: A symmetric ratchet motor discovery
Family-based intervention programs are insufficient to prevent childhood obesity, major study finds
Emotions expressed in real-time barrage comments relate to purchasing intentions and imitative behavior
Your genes could prune your gut bugs and protect you from disease
EMBARGOED MEDIA RELEASE: Breathlessness increases long-term mortality risk, Malawi study finds
Permeable inspection of pharmaceuticals goes in-line
Warming rivers in Alaska threaten Chinook salmon populations and Indigenous food security
New multi-disciplinary approach sheds light on the role of mitochondrial DNA mutations in cancer
Worms reveal just how cramped cells really are
Alzheimer’s disease digital resources lacking for Latinos, Hispanics in Los Angeles years after COVID-19, study finds
Chronic disease deaths decline globally, but progress is slowing
The Lancet: Chronic disease deaths decline globally, but progress is slowing
The Lancet: Parent-focused programs insufficient to prevent obesity in toddlers, finds meta-analysis; authors call for a re-think of childhood obesity prevention approaches
Study sheds light on hurdles faced in transforming NHS healthcare with AI
Astrocytic “brake” that blocks spinal cord repair identified
As farm jobs decline, food industry work holds steady
Kennesaw State researcher aiming to move AI beyond the cloud
Revolutionizing impedance flow cytometry with adjustable microchannel height
Treating opioid addiction in jails improves treatment engagement, reduces overdose deaths and reincarceration
Can’t sleep? Insomnia associated with accelerated brain aging
Study links teacher turnover to higher rates of student suspensions, disciplinary referrals
How harmful bacteria hijack crops
Crowded conditions muddle frogs’ mating choices
A new way to guide light, undeterred
Researchers uncover how COVID-19 may linger in cancer patients and affect treatment outcomes
Tiny metal figurines from Sardinia's Nuragic civilization in around 1,000 BC reveal extensive ancient Mediterranean metal trading networks
Natural microfibers may degrade differently to synthetic materials under simulated sunlight exposure in freshwater and seawater conditions, with implications for how such pollutants affect aquatic lif
Indian new mums report better postpartum wellbeing when their own mum acts as their primary support - while women whose mother-in-law is the primary caregiver instead report significantly lower overal
[Press-News.org] CIA Trying to Get Past Its "Old Boys' Club" Reputation by Ending Sexual HarassmentThe Central Intelligence Agency is taking steps to end sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination.