The Last Word
 

Defining Sexual Harassment

There is dramatic growth in the number of sexual harassment complaints that have been filed in recent years, and there is no reason to believe that this trend will abate. Congress has never defined the boundaries of sexual harassment as a form of discrimination covered by Title VII of The Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Because Title VII does not proscribe all conduct of a sexual nature in the workplace, it is crucial to clearly define sexual harassment, which is defined as unwelcome sexual conduct that is a term or condition of employment. Because sexual attraction often plays a role in the day-to-day social exchange between employees, the distinction between invited, uninvited-but-welcome, offensive-but-tolerated, and flatly rejected sexual advances is sometimes difficult to discern. But this distinction is essential because sexual conduct becomes unlawful only when it is unwelcome. The challenged conduct must be unwelcome in the sense that the employee did not solicit or incite it, and in the sense that the employee regarded the conduct as undesirable or offensive.

Generally, victims are well advised to assert their right to a workplace free from sexual harassment. This may stop the harassment before it becomes more serious. A contemporaneous complaint or protest may also provide persuasive evidence that the sexual harassment in fact occurred as alleged. Thus, in investigating sexual harassment charges, it is important to develop detailed evidence of the circumstances and nature of any such complaints or protests, whether to the alleged harasser, higher management, co-workers, or others.

A more difficult situation occurs when an employee first willingly participates in conduct of a sexual nature but then ceases to participate and claims that any continued sexual conduct has created a hostile work environment. In any case, one’s refusal to submit to the sexual conduct cannot be the basis for denying an employment benefit or opportunity; that would constitute a “quid pro quo” violation.

Further details can be found in Year 2000 Edition of How to Comply With Federal Employee Laws, Sheldon I. London, Esq. 246pp, 2000. #L-980-00-B, $39.95, $5 shipping/handling. The book can also be purchased with a searchable CD as #L-980-00, $119.95, $5 shipping/handling. Read also What Every Manager Needs to Know About Sexual Harassment. Darlene Orlov, Michael T. Roumell, Esq. 218pp, 1999. #L-2639, $24.95, $4 shipping/handling. Order by FAX 202-789-7220 with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, expiration date, contact name, street address or by e-mail at (acec@acec.org).

 

Volume XXI, Number 1, January 20th, 1999

Stephen G. Goddard 

 Robert H. Hickman

William S. Howard

Orrin MacMurray

H. Kenneth White

ACEC Names Leadership for 2000-2002

The ACEC Board of Directors has officially named its officers for 2000-2002.
The Tellers Committee has confirmed the five new members of the Executive Committee as follows. Stephen G. Goddard, Executive Vice-President of HNTB Corporation, Indianapolis, Indiana, will serve as President-elect in 2000-2001 and as President in 2001-2002. Robert E. Hickman, Executive Vice-President, Earth Tech, Concord, MA will serve as Treasurer. The newly elected Vice-Presidents are William S. Howard, Manager, Northern Division of Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc., Edison, NJ; Orrin “Mac” B. MacMurray, President, C&S Engineers, Inc., North Syracuse, New York; and H. Kenneth White, President, H. Kenneth White & Associates, Inc., Montgomery, AL. The officers will begin their terms in May 2000.

New Delivery Options for The Last Word

For several months, ACEC has offered The Last Word newsletter via e-mail. Now, ACEC has made it easier for members to subscribe to the electronic Last Word by removing the username and password requirement when subscribing on the web. To subscribe or unsubscribe to the e-mailed Last Word, go to http://www.acec.org/listserv/lastword.htm, type in your e-mail address, select an option to subscribe or unsubscribe, then click the submit button. You will now automatically receive the next issue via e-mail, or not, depending on your selection. ACEC will discontinue the mailing of The Last Word via third-class mail within the next six months. However, if you would like to continue to receive the hard-copy version of The Last Word rather than e-mail, we will send it to you via first-class mail. Please notify Francis George (fgeorge@acec.org) at ACEC.

Discover Engineering: The Invisible World

ACEC/CO has developed a fun 24-minute video, The Invisible World, targeting middle-school kids with an entertaining introduction to engineering through a focus on bridge building. This professional-quality program will be aired on cable and public stations around the country and serve as ACEC’s legacy for National Engineers Week 2000 (EWeek). The show’s hosts take viewers to various bridge sites where they introduce engineers who explain their individual roles on a project-from geotechnical and transportation engineers, to lighting, civil, and structural engineers. The program is available in two versions, a 24-minute in-classroom version and a 30-minute broadcast version. ACEC member firms are encouraged to purchase copies of the video to donate to local middle-schools and libraries. Some 500 copies have been sold to date! The video is available to ACEC member firms for $17.50 each. To order, call 303-832-2200 or send an e-mail to ACEC/Colorado at acec@acec-co.org.

Explore ACEC’s International Bulletin: The Thursday Communiqué

Each week ACEC’s International Affairs Department brings you a concise and informative bulletin, the Thursday Communiqué, to keep you abreast of news, events and resources to support ACEC firms interested in the global market. This popular bulletin is available to ACEC members via e-mail or on the World Wide Web. Rely on the Thursday Communiqué for the latest international business and partnering opportunities through conferences and seminars; news updates on matters that affect U.S. engineers in the global marketplace; project opportunities with the multilateral development banks and other clients; and the latest activities of the ACEC International Affairs Steering Committee. Read the current edition at http://www.intl.acec.org/overview/CurrentIssue.htm or subscribe by contacting Michele Moore (mmoore@acec.org) at ACEC.

SF-254/255

The Federal Government still wants its A/E proposals submitted on forms SF-254/255. ACEC continually get calls for the forms, which are available in hard copy (Order #235-A, one set, $11.) We also have an electronic version in our database, and you can have it in the flicker of an eyelid. E-mail acec@acec.org and give us your name, address, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and expiration date; ask for #235-E, and we will immediately e-mail you the SF-254/255. Your account will be charged $11 for the service. However, the guidelines you need to prepare a set properly are contained in Insider’s Guide to SF-254/255 Preparation, Nancy Usrey. 1996. #B-1554-96, $95, $4 shipping. Order from ACEC via FAX 202-789-7220 with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, expiration date, contact name, street address or by e-mail at (acec@acec.org).

Federal Markets Conference and CCD 2000 Spring into Action - March 13-15

Conducted in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with Consulting Congress Day (CCD), the Federal Markets Conference, Mar. 13, provides strategic insights into the federal engineering marketplace. Top federal contracting officials from the General Services Administration, Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Foreign Building Office (Department of State) will present up-to-the-minute information on business practices and trends in federal contracting. They will also identify national, regional, and local project opportunities and program dollars for consulting engineers. In addition, the presenters will discuss their agency’s use of multiple delivery methods including design/bid/build, design/build, and construction management. CCD 2000, Mar. 14-15, offers members an excellent opportunity to meet with their elected members of Congress to discuss legislative and regulatory issues. To register for these conferences, contact Kevin Schwalb (kschwalb@acec.org) at ACEC.

National Engineers Week, February
20-26, 2000

National Engineers Week 2000 (NEW) is quickly approaching and there's still time for you to participate. The E-week kits are available and are filled with fresh ideas, e.g., hands-on activities for K-12 classrooms; a media guide with news releases to help publicize your  program, and a Y2K poster for display in offices, schools and libraries. To order a free E-week kit, contact E-week at 412-741-1393 or e-mail at     (eweekorders@abdintl.com).

 

The Last Word | What's Happening