Some people in California may be aware that Fox News Channel is facing more accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct. Several years ago, accusations of sexual harassment led to the dismissal of the chairman, Roger Ailes, and one of the network’s stars, Bill O’Reilly.
On July 20, Cathy Areu, a frequent guest on the network, filed a lawsuit in New York accusing hosts Sean Hannity, Howard Kurtz and Tucker Carlson of sexual harassment. The lawsuit describes several specific incidents. Areu says that in March 2018, Hannity suggested his staff try to take her out after placing $100 on a desk on the set of his show. She stated that in December 2018, Carlson made a sexual advance by saying that his wife and children were not with him at his New York hotel room that night. Areu also said that Kurtz made a sexual advance by inviting her to his hotel room when she wanted to discuss employment at the network. Furthermore, Areu says she was propositioned by another contributor to the network.
Areu says that former news anchor Ed Henry also sent her lewd messages. Henry was fired by the network on July 1 after a Fox employee accused him of sexual harassment and rape. Henry’s lawyer claims that the relationship was consensual.
People who are facing sexual harassment in the workplace often do not report the harassment because they are concerned about its effect on their career, even if the company finds that the harassment did occur. Some employees might not know their rights and what constitutes workplace harassment. An attorney may be able to help an employee understand their rights and how to pursue them. Usually, the first step is to pursue the complaint in the workplace and then turn to legal measures if the workplace does not respond appropriately.