What should an employee do if they get harassed by a client? While they’re probably clear about what to do when sexual harassment occurs with co-workers (or at least should be), they might not have a protocol for dealing with situations that cross company lines. Mix in the potential for disrupting a long standing business relationship or potentially torpedoing a deal, which puts real dollars on the line, and what should be a clear situation can quickly become murky.

Help your team preemptively navigate a difficult situation with “The Politician,” an episode from the #ThatsHarassment video series. Based on a real incident, the scene vividly displays the discomfort that descends when a politician crosses the line with the reporter interviewing him. The scene should allow you to lay out the appropriate steps for dealing with any harassment that occurs in business relationships.

NOTE: The National Women’s Law Center has a discussion guide you can download for all the videos in the #ThatsHarassment series.


In your opinion, where did the politician cross the line?

Why might the reporter decide to not report the incident?

What other types of harassment have you heard of occurring between business associates?

Is it easier to deal with harassment that occurs with co-workers or outside the office? Explain.

What reasons might a company have for ignoring harassment by someone with which they conduct business?

Where are you supposed to go if you get harassed during the course of business?





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