Mayor Pete Meets #MeToo—Democratic Contender Pete Buttigieg Offers Sweeping Policy Proposal Aimed at Equality for American Women

This year, women's rights have become the major focus for politicians and the media. Talks about the ever widening pay gap, near total abortion bans, and the alarming rise in maternity deaths have taken center stage on the 2020 presidential platform. Politicians know that they need women's votes in order to be successful, and giving them a voice matters.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg, 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, recently unveiled his ambitious “Agenda for Women” proposal, an agenda aimed at both empowering women and getting their vote at the same time. This exceptional 26-page proposal, if implemented, would improve the lives of women everywhere if it were to be put into action.

The proposal includes a number of powerful changes. Among them, Buttigieg has pledged to make 50% or more of his Cabinet female, something never seen in American history before. Other important changes include banning forced arbitration for lawsuits involving harassment and discrimination, as well as investing $10 billion dollars to end sexual harassment in the workplace.

Women can also expect more help in terms of daycare and maternity leave, a major and systemic problem that serves to keep women out of the workforce. Access to quality daycare by women of every income level could help strengthen the economy and bring more skilled women back into the workforce.

Buttigieg's proposal is forward-thinking, and is representative of our changing times. Sexual harassment has come under greater scrutiny than it has in the past, and high-profile cases of sexual harassment are becoming commonplace in the media. Additionally, numerous states and jurisdictions, including New York State, have recently passed huge legislative packages that are demanding greater accountability from employers who do not take appropriate steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, and serve to severely penalize employers who do not strongly address sexual harassment when it does occur.

The fast-moving and emotionally charged national conversation around workplace power dynamics and misconduct does not appear to be dissipating anytime soon, and forward-thinking companies are looking at new and innovative ways that they can prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. There are many things an employer can do to help create a safe work space.

Investigate sexual harassment complaints immediately

Launching an investigation into a sexual harassment complaint shows that your company takes sexual harassment seriously. Human resources investigations protect both women and men, and help employees feel secure knowing that if something comes up in the future, it will be addressed immediately.

Consider an independent investigation

While any investigation is important, an independent investigation has several advantages. A third party is unbiased, and will not play favorites based on how much an employee earns or who they might know personally.

An independent investigation is often seen as fair by all employees in the company, making the outcome more likely to be accepted by the crew as a unit.

Have a sexual harassment policy in place

Having a formal policy on sexual harassment, including a handbook on employee rights and responsibilities, can help make it clear in advance sexual harassment isn't tolerated. These policies can also give clear instructions for what employees need to do if harassment occurs. It is imperative that the walk match the talk for employers, and a policy alone does not provide the teeth needed to make it clear that sexual harassment and other misconduct will not be tolerated.

Women's rights are at the forefront of today's national conversation. Politicians now fully understand and moreover, embrace, just how important women are to their electability, to the economy, and to our future. Empowered women make a tremendous improvement in the overall success of the country, and creating safe and inclusive workplaces is an important step in achieving overall equality. 

The Triangle Takeaway: Politicians, policy wonks, and everyday American citizens now realize that a key component of American economic success requires that women be given the tools to succeed in the workplace. A healthy and thriving workplace is one in which sexual harassment and misconduct is not tolerated, and in which when misconduct does occur, it is quickly investigated and addressed. Triangle’s full suite of services—whether our investigations work, policy writing, or the innovative Telli app, are must-haves for the forward-thinking and forward-moving workplace.