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Saturday 9 december 2017 TECHNOLOGY
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Can better policies prevent workplace sexual harassment?

By BARBARA ORTUTAY and nuanced situations
AP Technology Writer that people might encoun-
NEW YORK (AP) — Sexual ter. For example, she said,
misconduct happens at “how many times do you
work not because compa- ask someone out?” before
nies don’t publish anti-ha- backing off, and what if
rassment policies, experts they don’t say no outright
say, but because manag- but that they are busy? Do
ers don’t enforce them — you ask again?
and because people fail to Facebook, like many other
apply them to themselves. companies, will fire offend-
While the floodgates on re- ers if the company deter-
porting abuse and sexual mines that sexual harass-
harassment have opened ment has taken place.
with high-profile cases in More difficult are the un-
Big Tech, Hollywood and clear cases, where it’s one
Washington, it’s not yet person’s word against an-
clear whether the effects other’s.
of the #metoo movement Facebook also has a man-
have trickled down to day- datory arbitration agree-
to-day offices, factories ment for anyone who joins
and other places regular the company. Experts on
people work. workplace harassment say
“I do think it will be a last- In this May 16, 2012, file photo, the Facebook logo is displayed on an iPad in Philadelphia. these sorts of clauses can
ing movement,” said Ro- its policies against work- terminated in 2013 after agers who implement them deter people who want to
berta Kaplan, an attorney place harassment and bul- she complained about be- and are responsible for report harassment. Face-
who won the Supreme lying, including its enforce- ing harassed. The woman, making sure there is broad book’s move on Friday fol-
Court case that legalized ment procedures and how Chia Hong, later dropped compliance.” lows Chief Operating Offi-
gay marriage in the U.S. it investigates complaints. the suit, and Facebook has For a policy to be effective, cer Sheryl Sandberg’s post
But while Kaplan— who is The company says it wants maintained no wrongdo- he said, it has to be ap- over the weekend warn-
defending a woman who to help other companies ing. plied consistently — and if ing of a potential backlash
is being sued by Hollywood create better policies, and Facebook would not dis- wrongdoing is found, there against women and urging
produced Brett Ratner af- ideally prompt them to close how many com- have to be consequences companies to put clear
ter accusing him of rape publish their own proce- plaints of sexual harassment that are disclosed “not only policies in place on how
— thinks “most compa- dures too. it has investigated, or spe- to the person who com- they handle sexual harass-
nies have policies that are “We don’t think we are cific details on how well its plained but to the entire ment allegations.
pretty good,” there’s still a perfect, we don’t think we policy has actually worked. workplace.” “We need systemic, lasting
problem: have all the answers,” said Goler said the goal is not to “That sends a message that changes that deter bad
Many people don’t truly Lori Goler, the company’s reduce the number of re- these policies are not only behavior and protect ev-
comprehend them. “They vice president of people. ports, but to get “as many on paper but in action,” he eryone, from professionals
understand the English But she said companies people to raise their hand said. It is not clear if Face- climbing the corporate lad-
language, and what the should “come together to as possible.” book’s policy meets that der to workers in low-paid
words mean in the abstract make sure that we all learn Dan Eaton, an employ- standard. positions who often have
sense, but I don’t think most from each other.” ment attorney and instruc- Goler said that while Face- little power,” she wrote.
people understood it in ev- Facebook itself has been tor of business ethics at San book’s policy itself has “We need to end the abuse
eryday life,” she said. sued for sex discrimination Diego State University, said been “pretty consistent” of power imbalances due
In an unusual move for a and harassment, in 2015 “sexual harassment poli- over the years, the train- to gender - and race and
large company, Facebook by a former employee who cies, like ethics policies, are ing around has evolved to ethnicity, too. We must not
on Friday publicly released said she was wrongfully only as good as the man- address the “gray areas” lose this opportunity.”q

Music streaming giants Spotify, Tencent invest in each other

By DAVID KEYTON The companies said Friday stake in Tencent’s music world.” app as well as online
Associated Press in a joint statement they wing. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said it payment platforms and
STOCKHOLM (AP) — will acquire new shares Terms of the deal were not “will allow both companies games. Because Chinese
Swedish music streaming representing minority disclosed. to benefit from the global authorities have largely shut
service Spotify and Chinese equity stakes in each other The companies said it growth of music streaming.” out western companies
internet company Tencent for cash — Tencent Music would be “strengthening The CEO of Tencent Music like Google, Twitter and
have struck a deal to take Entertainment will invest in relationships between the Entertainment Group, Facebook, homegrown
minority stakes in each Spotify, while the Swedish two most popular music Cussion Pang, said the internet companies like
other. music startup will take a streaming platforms in the companies will look to Tencent have been able to
collaborate and “foster a grow rapidly in size.
vibrant music ecosystem Spotify, meanwhile, has no
that benefits users, artists users in China.
and content owners.” According to the compa-
Shenzhen-based Tencent ny, Spotify as of July had
is one of China’s most over 60 million subscribers
powerful internet and 140 million active users
/arubatoday/ companies, running who can access to over 30
the WeChat messaging million songs.q