{"id":608,"date":"2016-05-21T00:18:37","date_gmt":"2016-05-21T00:18:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/discriminationandsexualharassmentlawyers.com\/?p=608"},"modified":"2020-01-11T11:22:02","modified_gmt":"2020-01-11T11:22:02","slug":"sexual-harassment-commissioner-hartung-breached-the-code-of-conduct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.discriminationandsexualharassmentlawyers.com\/es\/sexual-harassment-commissioner-hartung-breached-the-code-of-conduct\/","title":{"rendered":"Sexual Harassment: Commissioner Hartung breached the Code of Conduct"},"content":{"rendered":"

Politics and Workplace Sexual Harassment<\/h2>\n

Nevada<\/strong> \u2013 Allegations usually rise after workplace sexual harassment or a problem\u00a0related to an employment law violation has occurred. A unnamed county employee filed<\/a> a sexual harassment complaint against Commissioner Vaughn Hartung for allegedly breaching the code of conduct and failing to abide the sexual harassment policy.
\n\"\u201cWashoe\"After a thorough investigation took place, Commissioner Hartung was found at fault for the allegations regarding the code of conduct and sexual harassment policy. According to the information accumulated by the Reno Gazette Journal, Commissioner Hartung used profanity and inappropriate sexual expressions<\/a> in reference to the county employee.
\nAn external sexual harassment lawyer<\/a> examined the sexual harassment complaint alleging that Commissioner Hartung, \u201cengaged in conduct that was inappropriate and\/or of a sexual nature toward an employee,\u201d and completed the investigation involving specific questioning to resolve the matter at hand.
\nDetails of public records and a more in depth version of Hartung’s conversations with the county employee have yet to be released. However, resourceful information revealed that Commissioner Hartung expressed unwanted comments such as \u201cnaked\u201d and \u201cwhore.\u201d As a leader in Washoe County, those word should have never crossed Commissioner Hartung’s mind especially while addressing an employee.
\nHartung argues that he does not recall using the term \u201cwhore\u201d in reference to the county employee or any other employee.<\/p>\n

Commissioner Hartung takes Responsibility for his Actions<\/h2>\n

Hartung disclosed confirmation to the code of conduct and sexual harassment policy violations through a written statement. He admitted to using profanity towards the county employee. He also owned up to making an additional statement labeled as \u201cin jest,\u201d that he believes the county employee received the wrong way. Hartung said the use of profanity stemmed from an error on the county employee\u2019s part. He said she didn\u2019t inform with an adequate amount of notice of a location change for an important meeting with the CEO of a major employer. Hartung emotional response to the county employee was, \u201cAre you f***ing kidding me?\u201d
\nIn terms of sexual harassment, Hartung made an inappropriate statement when an unidentified individual knocked on the door of a committee room both Hartung and the county employee were in. His response to the knock was \u201cDon\u2019t come in, we\u2019re not dressed.\u201d A negative statement like this could insinuate that there is some ongoing misbehavior in the workplace. It\u2019s unfair to the county employee who had nothing to do with the mental image Commissioner Hatung may have cause the person who knocked to visualize.
\nRegardless of Commissioner\u2019s intentions for his poor word choice or the reason behind it, he fully accepts responsibility for his actions, and he apologized for both unacceptable remarks.
\nIt is completely natural for a man or woman to say things under stress or out of frustration during his or her personal time. As a human, those are common emotions one may often feel. Hartung said, \u201cI am aware that staff members, like all of us, need to feel appreciated and praised. I wish I had been more thoughtful and had selected a kind way of expressing my feelings.\u201d
\nIn the workplace, it is important to be mindful and respectful of others. Everyone makes mistakes. By taking that simple step, predicaments such as the one Commissioner Hartung is currently in could have been avoided. Due to acknowledging his faults and expressing a great deal of remorse to the county employee, people may not view him as a heartless individual. Apologizing is one of the hardest tasks to complete. No one wants to admit that he or she is wrong. Hartung placed his pride aside, and apologized. This is a great way to repair work relationships after work related issues including sexual harassment, workplace discrimination or retaliation<\/a>.
\nAlthough the workplace misconduct occurred a year ago, it took the county employee awhile to address the issue. Hartung believes if the county employee brought the issue up at the time it happened, it could\u2019ve been handled. He said, \u201cIf somebody says something that offends me, I tell them immediately.”
\nInitially, Hartung offered to fix the workplace issue by mentoring the county employee to become more aware and work diligently to benefit the team. After an interview, Hartung had a change of heart. He stated, \u201cHe has no plans to mentor her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Commissioners request the View of the Voters<\/h2>\n

As an elected official, there is very little that the county can do to penalize Hartung for his actions. It is within the county\u2019s power to address the issue with the elected official to attempt to put an end to the problem. Other elected officials are doing everything within their power to protect and guide the victim as the recovery takes place.
\nThe other officials believe the voters should be involved in terms of what happens next with Commissioner Hartung considering they\u2019re responsible for officials entering and leaving office. Hartung is up for a re-election. He believes this complaint and investigation was a political set up. An investigation confirmed there was \u201cno political motivation\u201d behind the county employee\u2019s sexual harassment complaint.
\nIf you are a county employee or an employee in a related field who experienced workplace sexual harassment in New York City, Miami, New Jersey, or Philadelphia, contact our sexual harassment lawyers at the Derek Smith Law Group, PLLC. Our skilled sexual harassment lawyers are more than qualified to represent your case. For more information on workplace sexual harassment, read our Employment Law Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia Employment Attorneys<\/h2>\n

If you feel you have been the victim of workplace sexual harassment in New York, New Jersey or Philadelphia or if your employment rights have been violated, then you should immediately contact the NYC, NJ, PA sexual harassment lawyers at the employment law firm of DEREK T. SMITH LAW GROUP, PLLC. No one deserves a hostile work environment<\/a>.
\nCall today to schedule a FREE sexual harassment legal advice Consultation in NY, NJ & PA with one of our top rated sexual harassment attorneys here at the Derek Smith Law Group you can reach us online<\/a> or by calling 877-469-5297. Our NYC employment law attorneys handle a variety of cases involving sexual harassment, racial discrimination, and other employment-related claims. We serve clients throughout New York, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. We also have offices in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Miami to serve you.<\/p>\n

Make Sure Your Lawyers Have the Verdicts To Back Up Their Negotiations \u2013 Results Matter!<\/h2>\n