LEGAL ISSUES
State and federal laws require employers to provide their employees with
workplaces that are safe and free from harassment or discrimination. This
includes setting and enforcing workplace policies that prohibit sexual
harassment, taking immediate action to stop harassment if it occurs, and
protecting the rights of people who experience or witness harassment.
PEG RUDDY
Executive Director
Women’s Resource Center
(570) 346-4671
www.wrcnepa.org
According to a 2015 survey by Cosmopolitan magazine,
one in three women between the ages of 18 and 34 has
been sexually harassed on the job. According to Peg
Ruddy, executive director of the Women’s Resource
Center in Scranton, employers have a responsibility to
prevent and respond to sexual harassment.
In this month’s “Ask the Expert,” Ms. Ruddy explains
how employers can best address sexual harassment in
the workplace. The effects of sexual harassment can be
serious for victims, their co-workers and families and
addressing sexual harassment in the workplace involves
legal, ethical and social issues as outlined here.
FRESH FACES
“Fresh Faces” is a new feature in Momentum where we meet our
newest Chamber members. This month, we spoke to Faith Ann
Liuzzo-Bartholomew, owner of FAB Travel Group in Jessup.
ETHICAL ISSUES
Deeply held values—such as fairness, kindness, respect and concern for
others—also come into play in the ways we address sexual harassment at
work. Your own moral compass will help to guide you in supporting your
co-workers and responding ethically if sexual harassment occurs in your
workplace, and will determine how you feel about your choices at the end
of the day.
SOCIAL ISSUES
Our words and actions—or lack thereof—related to sexual harassment
infl uence the people and environment around us. Whether you speak up
or stay silent, take action or ignore harassing behavior towards others,
you shape the culture of your workplace. What kind of workplace culture
do you want to build, and how can you contribute to making it safe and
welcoming?
By ensuring that their policies and procedures are up-to-date and by
meeting with staff to reinforce expectations of behavior in the workplace,
employers can take steps to prevent sexual harassment. Empower your
frontline supervisors and mid-level managers to enforce those policies
and quickly reprimand violations with responses that are on par with the
seriousness of the violation.
The Women’s Resource Center is available for any victim of sexual
harassment, call (570) 346-4671 for an appointment. Services are free and
confi dential.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO OPEN FAB TRAVEL GROUP?
My love of travel is what inspired me to open FAB Travel Group.
I was married on a beach at Sandals Southcoast Jamaica and
fell in love with the resort, the island and the people. I could
not have asked for a more perfect day. When I came home and
began talking about my experience and encouraging friends
to vacation there, this business seemed like the next logical
step. I had the opportunity to start working with a friend at her
agency and, within a year, FAB Travel Group was born.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT DOING BUSINESS LOCALLY?
Faith Ann Liuzzo-
Bartholomew
Northeastern Pennsylvania is and will always be my home.
The people here are wonderful and unique. They are all hard
working and caring, but each client brings something different
to the table. Getting to know them and learning about what
they like helps me customize vacations to their tastes. Growing
up here has allowed me to know my clients better. When I plan
their trips, I plan them as if I were planning my own.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE CHAMBER?
FAB Travel Group • Jessup, PA
www.fabtravelgroup.com Member since 2016
Shortly after opening FAB Travel Group, I wanted to become
more involved in the community and meet and network with other
business owners, so I joined the Chamber. It just made sense.
www.scrantonchamber.com • 5