Taron Murakami Commentary in Hospitality Law
“Worker’s Failure to Report Harassment Results in Victory For Employer”

Taron Murakami’s commentary on the Donaldson v. CDB Inc. case was published in the October 1, 2008 issue of Hospitality Law in the article, “Worker’s Failure to Report Harassment Results in Victory For Employer.” The employer in Donaldson had implemented a policy on sexual harassment that instructed employees to discuss harassment with their managers, a supervisor, or the owner of the company. The court specifically noted that if  there had been actionable conduct, this policy could have served as the basis for the defense.

Taron noted that the Donaldson case was a good example of how inappropriate conduct on the part of supervisors can lead to unnecessary litigation. She stated, “Employers also should not rest on having an antiharassment policy alone—employers must be proactive about educating and training employees on their policies and procedures, creating a work environment where employees feel free to speak up about issues without fear of retaliation, and disciplining those who violate the policy with consistency.” She further explained, “In addition to helping to defend against future harassment claims, such efforts give employers the chance to uncover and remedy harassment before employees resort to filing a claim.”