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While some behaviors may not always be considered
illegal, if bullying and verbal abuse are tolerated,

chances are harassment will be too.

Resorts can look at their own management structures • Leaving people out of meetings that directly
to determine whether they have intentionally developed and impact them.
hired talent that creates an imbalance of genders at the table, • Making excuses for harshness by saying someone is just a
and if they have discouraged women from pursuing nontra- “tough” manager.
ditional roles in operations such as grooming, terrain parks, • Dismissing or taking credit for other people’s ideas.
vehicle shops, and as mechanics and patrollers. A system • Using aggressive eye contact, facial expressions, and body
should be created to develop female candidates at the line level language in an attempt to intimidate someone.
and above, so they can compete for all resort positions. • Intentionally leaving out information when assigning
This raises an important consideration. To find accep- tasks in order to guard one’s turf or diminish their role.
tance in some male-dominated departments, there are some • Showing favoritism when assigning special projects.
female team members who pride themselves on being one (Source: Tahoe Training Partners)
of the boys, in which they can be heard diminishing the
sensitivities of females who may be offended by so-called While such behaviors may not always be considered illegal—
“locker room talk.” This should be vigorously discouraged. depending largely on whether or not they are judged as
And in our co-ed locker rooms, ski instructors or patrollers discriminatory based on a person’s gender, sexual preference,
may be required to change clothes in an environment where age, race, or religion—if bullying and verbal abuse are toler-
different stages of undress may be offensive. You may know ated, chances are harassment will be too.
both males and females with confident body positivity who
like to flaunt it because they’ve got it. We may not be aware What the Ski Industry Can Do
of what has become “normalized.” To Support the #MeToo Movement
Another red flag that can impact both guests and team The #MeToo movement has been named Time magazine’s
members is the choice of music played in restaurant outlets, Person of the Year for 2017, and the people behind the
terrain parks, and gathering spaces that contains offensive, movement “The Silence Breakers.”
even violent lyrics that glorify, justify, or normalize the Our industry has come a long way since 1984’s sex
objectification, exploitation, or victimization of women. comedy ski film, Hot Dog…The Movie, and from the way
These lyrics have no place in family friendly resorts or women were treated generally during the 1960s (as in TV’s
youth-oriented venues. Mad Men portrayal of male colleagues ogling and objecti-
fying the “girls“ in the secretarial pool). And yet comments
Harassment vs. Bullying like Lauer’s continue to cross the line, and to be tolerated.
While sexual harassment is illegal, bullying is not (unless In everyday life, women are still subjected to gender-based
it escalates to malicious verbal assault in which the person “street harassment” from strangers. Saturday Night Live’s tal-
threatens violence and makes the recipient feel in reasonable ented female cast recently disguised a blistering commentary
fear of harm). Nevertheless, it can be just as damaging. on “normalized” behavior toward women as a bouncy pop
Aggressive verbal abuse includes threats, intimidation, culture song called “Welcome to Hell.” The parody laments
humiliation, pervasive unfair criticism, gossip, rumors, and everyday threats women experience (“parking and walking
actions that undermine and sabotage a team member’s work. and uber and ponytails, bathrobes and drinking in hotels,
This behavior is usually perpetrated by a boss or su- and vans”), with cast member Aidy Bryant deadpanning at
pervisor but can also be done by a co-worker with the boss the camera, “The reason women travel in packs is for safety.”
ignoring, or adding to, the problem. Are any of the following The SNL skit underscores the disturbing reality that perhaps
behaviors normalized on your management team? things haven’t changed so much after all.

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