Las Vegas Casinos Divided on Sexual Harassment Reform

In the wake of the #MeToo movement, the Nevada Gaming Control Board is considering policy changes. The #MeToo movement revealed misconduct accusations against Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn.

The proposed policy changes would require casinos to keep written sexual harassment prevention policies with reporting and investigation components and to report the number of harassment complaints against them annually.

Some companies, including Wynn Las Vegas and Caesars Entertainment, support this proposal, while others, such as Mesquite Gaming, believe the regulations would duplicate existing worker protections, because Mesquite Gaming already reports this information the EEOC and Nevada Equal Rights Commission.

The need for stronger workplace harassment laws is evident from a survey of 10,000 Las Vegas casino workers conducted by the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in May 2018. That survey revealed that nearly 60 percent of cocktail servers and more than 25 percent of housekeepers were sexually harassed on the job, including by guests.

If these policy changes are adopted, it would be a way for regulators to give casinos extra incentive to address workplace sexual harassment above existing laws because companies do not want to risk losing their gaming licenses. This would be a powerful way to address sexual harassment, according to UNLV law professor Ann C. McGinley.

If you believe you have been sexually harassed or retaliated against for reporting or opposing sexual harassment, please consider contacting the lawyers at the Bullman Law Firm.  We represent workers, not employers. Our number is (503) 987-0000. There is no charge for your call.

Source: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/las-vegas-casinos-split-on-tougher-sexual-harassment-rules

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