Ethics Case #6 - Pinup Pictures

[scott]

You are visiting a client's remote warehouse location for a pre-renewal tour. As you walk through the operation you notice pin-up calendars scattered about the location. You mention the pictures to the manager who dismisses your comment with a, "Boys will be boys!"

[Big Dog]

Yes...you should make her aware. And you should also say something to the manager that others, especially in management, might not have the same take (boys will be boys) as he does.

Oh yeah...explaining the concept and potential consequences of sexual harrassment might be in order too.

[Porter]

I would tell the CFO that her warehouse looks a lot like my office and commend her with interior decorating.

[CATHIEA]

We're all assuming that the warehouse is either visited or occupied at any time by females or someone looking to file a sexual harrassment claim. Give this, I guess I would have to preface my comments with - "as your insurance agent these are the potential areas that could cause a claim and these are my recommendations....." and then I would make sure my renewal quote included a quote for EPLI.

[Big Dog]

Years ago, when I worked as an underwriter for a Workers Comp carrier, a female auditor was sent to a client to do the final audit. What she (nor us as the underwriter/carrier) were aware of, was that this "printer" was actually a printer/distributor of porn. The agent purposely withheld this information on the application, and it wasn't noted in the WCIRB report.

The auditor refused to do the audit on moral grounds. The agent (who had been advised NEVER to submit any of his porn business) was advised of the situation, and his agency contract was cancelled.

[92builder]

I don't think you say a word about it. You might mention to the site manager that those might be offensive to some people and what he thinks about that, but I doubt it's anything to get too upset about, especially with the "boys will be boys" comment he made. I would think that the ppl that will frequent this warehouse/location probably have seen the pics before and are okay with it.

Don't get too high on yourselves, guys.

[volstrike3]

How about a contractor I visited that has a blow up doll sitting in the lobby. It put me off and I am very difficult to offend.

I would mention it to the CFO and put it in her court. I would also offer an EPLI quote if they don not already have coverage in place.

[independent guy]

How about a contractor I visited that has a blow up doll sitting in the lobby. It put me off and I am very difficult to offend.

Are you serious? They actually had a blowup doll in the lobby?

[volstrike3]

[quote="independent guy"][quote="volstrike3"]How about a contractor I visited that has a blow up doll sitting in the lobby. It put me off and I am very difficult to offend.
[/quote]

Are you serious? They actually had a blowup doll in the lobby?[/quote]

Yes. They had a blow up doll in a swim suit with a wig. It was very strange.

[aplessing]

If you are the work comp provider, you need to check your own statutes and see how sexual harassment is treated "" in Hawaii, an employee can file a civil claim and a work comp claim "" it is the only circumstance where work comp benefits are NOT considered the employee's sole recourse.

If you are the GL carrier, duh!

In any case, common sense and decency (which I understand may not be in high demand among insurance producers today "" LOL) says you include the recommendation to eliminate the pics and suggest that something as seemingly harmless as the pics is an indication that management needs to be proactive in reaffirming their policies against sexual harassment "" if only to CYA.