You’re an HR specialist. Your company just had its annual Christmas Party over the weekend. The booze was flowing, the young people were enjoying themselves, and then, when when Last Call was announced, moved on to party elsewhere. (I’ve never been to such a party — we always had in-office potlucks — but I’m told they happen, at least in Ask Amy columns.)
A young woman comes into your office.
. . .
“After the party last Saturday, Mike raped me.”
“Did you call the police?”
“No, I was too embarrassed, because I made the mistake of letting him walk me home; then he forced his way in. And I thought they wouldn’t believe me, so I didn’t think it’d be worth it.”
“Oh.”
“But I can’t stand the thought of seeing him at work today. His cube is just three down from mine.”
“Could you please move his cube?”
“Could you please transfer him to another department?”
“Could you please fire him?”
. . .
“After the party last Saturday, I don’t remember exactly what happened, because I was really drunk, but I think Mike raped me.”
“Did you call the police?”
“No, I was too embarrassed, because,like I said, I was really drunk. I think I probably even didn’t object at the time, but I know that I never would have consented if I had been sober. And Mike should have known that, because he knows I have a boyfriend, after all, who’s out of town on business. And I thought the police wouldn’t believe me, so I didn’t think it’d be worth it.”
. . .
“After the party last Saturday, I think that Mike was really bothering Jackie.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. The problem is that all the new hires, the ones who just graduated college in the last couple years, all go out together to the bars and drink very heavily. It doesn’t seem like they’re alcoholics, and it doesn’t seem to affect their work, but I’m worried about them. They could really get themselves into trouble.”
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