Consultant/Insultant  

What’s the #1 story in the news today?

 “Yes, I did have relations with several women who worked on my staff,” said David Letterman on live television last Thursday, explaining that he divulged this information to jump the gun on a blackmail attempt made (allegedly) by one of NBC’s producers.

Today it was the hot topic of discussion everywhere….in board rooms, at mommy and me classes,  and  on news stations everywhere including ABC’s chat fest,  The View.

Barbara Walters, one of the hosts of The View, remained very defensive of Letterman. She reminded the audience he did this before he was married. He was single. He had relations with several women who worked for him “Where do you meet people?” she asked, implying that the workplace is often where people meet people to date.

 ON the other hand, Lisa Ling, a guest panelist, scoffed at any defense of Letterman’s ‘reckless behavior.’ “When you’re the boss,” she said, “keep your friend in your pants.”

And though ABC admitted to having no formal dating policy, the network does enforce a very stringent sexual harassment policy, and this scandal has – at least so far- not entered into that territory.

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My immediate impression is that reckless sexual behavior always creates havoc in the workplace.

Though Letterman may survive this, who knows where this case may go? A former intern of the show may now claim she was overlooked and disregarded because she didn’t have sex with him. And viewers may form an unfavorable impression on Letterman that may lead to cancellation of advertisers, lower viewership, and even (God forbid) the end of the Letterman Show.

Sex in 2009 Corporate America may have changed slightly over the past twenty years: We’re now not only scared of herpes, AIDS and other diseases, but sexual harassment law suits are prevalent and expensive, decimating profits and ruining careers.

But besides that – the issues are always the same. If you have sex with someone at work, who is married – what are you thinking? Inevitably, it breaks up marriages. If the relationship is between the boss and the secretary or workers from different hierarchies and departments – it affects hiring practices.  Will one give the other a break? Will there be repercussions when the relationship dissolves?  Can I depend on a letter of recommendation if I no longer have sex with you?

“It’s a real mess,” declares one therapist I spoke to. “More times it’s simply libido gone wild. Most times it involves a man who simply doesn’t have the ability to control his private parts. And when it’s the reverse--- the woman going after the man – even in 2009--such goings on create tension, initiate gossip, stall productivity, and engender a variety of small talk and games that can end careers. It’s simply not worth it.”

So how does one deal with unwanted advances? If you notice people at work forming a relationship, what do you do? What if it affects your workload?  Your morale? Your productivity? Your future?

Tune into blog talk radio as Dr. Gary and Dr. Brian address your concerns, questions, and issues regarding the big elephant in the workplace: SEX!