Sexual Harassment
Mgmt 3300
Human Resource Management
Case 1: An accusation of Sexual Harassment in Pro Sports
Situation Analysis:
• New York Knicks basketball team executive awarded over $11 million in punitive damages for sexual harassment suit
• Four – week trial
• The case exposed the organization and its managers unfavorable publicity
• Anucha Browne Sanders, the Knicks’ senior vice president of marketing and business operations accused the teams owner, the Garden, and its president, Isiah Thomas with sex discrimination and retaliation.
• Ms. Browne Sanders accused Mr. Thomas of verbally abusing and sexually harassing her over a 2-year period.
• The Garden fired her about a month after she complained to top management about the harassment.
• The Garden cited numerous explanations for the dismissal, saying she had failed to fulfill professional responsibilities.
• Mr. Thomas vigorously insisted he was innocent and thought the suit was for financial gain.
• Little corroboration from witnesses
• Little witnesses from the Garden regarding her performance not up to par
• Jury decided in favor of the plaintiff – Browne
• The Gardens said they look forward to appeals court
Case Questions:
1. Do you think Ms. Browne Sanders had the basis for a sexual harassment suit? Why or why not?
No because there was limited facts presented. First, she stated that the sexual harassment went on for over two years. She should have documented the harassment and not wait so long to report it. I believe she was mad that the Garden failed to fulfill professional responsibilities to investigate. Based on her testimony and lack of witnesses, it seems that this was a retaliation of her getting fired.
2. From what you know of this case, do you think the jury arrived at the correct decision? If not, why not? If so why?
I don’t think the jury made the right decision. There was
Human Resource Management
Case 1: An accusation of Sexual Harassment in Pro Sports
Situation Analysis:
• New York Knicks basketball team executive awarded over $11 million in punitive damages for sexual harassment suit
• Four – week trial
• The case exposed the organization and its managers unfavorable publicity
• Anucha Browne Sanders, the Knicks’ senior vice president of marketing and business operations accused the teams owner, the Garden, and its president, Isiah Thomas with sex discrimination and retaliation.
• Ms. Browne Sanders accused Mr. Thomas of verbally abusing and sexually harassing her over a 2-year period.
• The Garden fired her about a month after she complained to top management about the harassment.
• The Garden cited numerous explanations for the dismissal, saying she had failed to fulfill professional responsibilities.
• Mr. Thomas vigorously insisted he was innocent and thought the suit was for financial gain.
• Little corroboration from witnesses
• Little witnesses from the Garden regarding her performance not up to par
• Jury decided in favor of the plaintiff – Browne
• The Gardens said they look forward to appeals court
Case Questions:
1. Do you think Ms. Browne Sanders had the basis for a sexual harassment suit? Why or why not?
No because there was limited facts presented. First, she stated that the sexual harassment went on for over two years. She should have documented the harassment and not wait so long to report it. I believe she was mad that the Garden failed to fulfill professional responsibilities to investigate. Based on her testimony and lack of witnesses, it seems that this was a retaliation of her getting fired.
2. From what you know of this case, do you think the jury arrived at the correct decision? If not, why not? If so why?
I don’t think the jury made the right decision. There was