I Hate Valentine’s Day, and Employers Should, Too

Russo v. APL Marine Services: This case arose out of a failed romantic relationship between the plaintiff-employee and the captain of the boat on which she worked. Their relationship included a Valentine’s Day tryst, and after it ended, she alleged of harassing behavior such as butt slaps and requests for “make-up sex.”

Mitchell v. City of Pittsburgh: This case involved a male supervisor grabbing the buttocks of a female subordinate and placing his fingers “very close to [her] private area.” When she immediately and vocally objected, he responded: “That was for Valentine’s Day, they call me walking chocolate.” 

Hilton v. Shin: This case involved the alleged shunning of an employee (which included a negative performance review) by the president of her employer after she declined his repeated requests for sex, which included a request to meet with him in alleged attempt to “draw her into the office alone on Valentine’s Day.”

What’s are the lessons to take away from these tales of broken hearts, improper gropes, and untoward passes? 

1. Nothing good can come from a manager or supervisor pursuing a romantic or sexual relationship with a subordinate. 
2. Harassment prevention should be a 365-days-a-year mission. If you ignore your obligation to educate your employees about the dangers of harassment, Cupid’s arrow will carry the barb of a sex-harassment lawsuit.