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A top deputy in Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office returned to work this week following an investigation that found that he engaged in offensive inappropriate conversations that were sexual in nature. According to the investigation findings, deputy Pat Magee also used sexual slang and made unprofessional comments to employees.
Magee had recently been appointed as head of the office’s criminal division, and the investigation was initiated after an anonymous complaint was filed against him in December. There were no findings of requests for sexual favors or workplace touching and Magee’s conduct was believed to be in a joking manner.
Upon Magee’s return, Landry’s office released a letter on January 19 detailing the disciplinary action that had been taken against the deputy. According to the letter, Magee had been ordered to serve a 38 days suspension without pay. During this period, the deputy would still be required to go to work but would be subject to a salary reduction that would be equivalent to 38 days of unpaid leave. In addition, Magee would be losing more than $20,000 of his annual salary and he would be required to enroll in a training course aimed at developing professionalism and emotional intelligence in the workplace.
Can Sexual Harassment Be Verbal?-Debunking the Misconception
Sexual harassment is a broad term that refers to a variety of unwelcome sexual and verbal attention. The Equal Opportunity Commission includes verbal conduct in its formal definition of sexual harassment. It isn’t limited to just making physical sexual advances. Verbal sexual harassment encompasses offensive remarks of a sexual nature, requests for sexual favors, unwelcome compliments that make one uncomfortable.
How to Recognize Verbal Sexual Harassment
Verbal sexual harassment is a direct violation of state, federal, and local employment laws. It also creates a hostile work environment which makes it difficult for employees to do their job. That’s why it’s imperative to recognize the signs of verbal sexual harassment.
Here are a few direct examples of verbal sexual harassment:
- Sexually explicit comments
- Sexual jokes
- Nonverbal communication such as catcalling, leering, howling, and kissing sounds
- Inquiring about a coworker’s sex life
- Unwanted text messages, phone calls, or emails with sexual overtones
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