No fewer than 19 women-two of whose complaints became known for the first time last Thursday–have come forward to accuse Oregon Sen. Bob Packwood of unwanted groping and grabbing. Packwood, who claims the charges stem from miscommunication, protests he meant no harm. In an emotional vote, the full Senate agreed that hearings on the allegations of sexual misconduct against Packwood would remain closed to the public.
In a second widely publicized ease, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced a $1.2 million sexual-harassment settlement . against Del Laboratories Inc., a New York cosmetics company. Last year the EEOC filed suit on behalf of 15 female employees charging Del’s CEO Dan Wassong with, among other things, inviting some to perform oral sex. Despite the settlement, the largest of its kind in EEOC history, Del is standing by Wassong. The company issued a statement calling the allegations against him “baseless.” Citing Del’s impressive success during his tenure, the board of directors also expressed their “complete confidence” in him.
Advocates of women’s rights concede the news isn’t all bad–not so long ago harassment charges would hardly have won big settlements or even closed-door Senate hearings. Even so, the treatment of Packwood and Wassong is a reminder that organizations are still struggling to get it right.
