EOC Week 9: The Apartment

There were so many workplace issues in this movie. The main and most obvious one was the frequent "Quid Pro Quo" situations happening. "Quid pro quo harassment occurs in the workplace when a manager or other authority figure offers or merely hints that he or she will give the employee something (a raise or a promotion) in return for that employee's satisfaction of a sexual demand." Even though in Baxter's case it wasn't for sexual favors, he was still doing favors for his manager that would help him move up. Mr. Baxter lent his apartment out many times a week to his managers and even his main boss in order to move up. They would often pressure him into lending the room out even when he didn't want to and would even threaten his job if he didn't cooperate. He also tried to bribe Baxter for his apartment key with tickets to a show. Baxter ended up taking the tickets as well. 

According to the book, "From a legal perspective, if harassment is established under the quid pro quo version, the employer automatically is liable and will be held accountable for whether or not steps were taken to correct the situation. In contrast, an employer's liability in a hostile work environment case must be established by showing not only that the harassment occurred, but also that the employer did not take appropriate action to stop it." Even though Mr. Baxter was dealing with these issues and getting harassed, it was also his responsibility to not allow it and to report it.

There were also a few instances of sexual harassment, including one of the male workers spanking the elevator operator on the butt with a newspaper. “According to the book, Sexual Harassment is any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” That being said, spanking another employee on the butt with a newspaper is a form of sexual harassment. 

The employees were also victims of favoritism. Many employees were able to move up due to managers liking them, while other employees who had seniority had difficulty moving up. 

Towards the end of the film, the secretary also was using the phone for personal time and issues. There were so many employment issues in this movie.