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Sexual misconduct allegations put a damper on holiday parties

Companies are starting to reckon with how the workplace allows, or enables, inappropriate behavior. That means not only looking at structural issues but scrutinizing routine work events.

By Rebecca Greenfield, Jordyn Holman | Updated on December 15, 2017
The dangerous cauldron that is the company party has been around for decades, and companies have moved slowly over time to protect employees, and themselves, better. (Image: Shutterstock)

Employees at Vox Media Inc. aren’t happy about this year’s holiday party. The media company, which employs hundreds of journalists, decided to end its open-bar policy following allegations of sexual harassment in the workplace. In lieu of unlimited drinks, this year’s festivities will be heavy on hors d’oeuvres. “Don’t want to miss out on the more food,” one employee whined in a message to co-workers. 

Emotions among three Vox staffers, all of whom requested anonymity, ranged from annoyance to grudging acceptance. A few felt the drink limit unfairly punished everyone. Another felt babied, arguing that alcohol isn’t the root of sexual harassment and treating it as such sends the wrong message about whether the company is serious about fixing the real problem. 

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