This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. Speaker, Claims · 92 wordsthe allegations in this matter do not implicate a quid pro quo sexual harassment but, rather, that Edwards’ conduct and behavior create a hostile work environment. Under Federal law, a hostile work environment must be objectively and subjectively offensive, one that a reasonable person would find hostile or abusive and one that the victim, in fact, did perceive to be so. Determining whether an employee was subject to such an environment depends on a totality of the circumstances test. That test includes the frequency, severity, and offensiveness of the conduct at issue. Mr. Speaker, Claims · 53 wordsin this case, the committee reviewed Representative Edwards’ conduct and determined that he engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers.1 While Representative Edwards denies that his conduct was intended to be sexual or romantic, his pattern of behavior would lead a reasonable person to interpret it as such. Procedure · 3 wordsThe behavior includes: ProcedureClaims · 221 wordsproviding the young women with lavish and recurrent gifts, making comments regarding their appearance and dress, inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations, sending notes regarding his affection, and inviting them to other activities as a way to spend time together. Representative Edwards was aware that his excessive attention toward these young ladies led to rumors and innuendos that he was engaged in a romantic relationship with one or both staffers. Representative Edwards was also aware that the women were uncomfortable with his behavior. The women communicated their feeling of discomfort to senior staff who then spoke with Representative Edwards on their behalf. Representative Edwards did not appreciate the action of senior staff expressing the discomfort felt by the two women and continued his behavior. The committee found that Representative Edwards was, at a minimum, blind to the reality and, at worst, dismissive of the impact his conduct had on the careers and well-being of the women on his staff.Unearned certainty Representative Edwards’ conduct was singling out certain staffers and isolating them from other members of the staff, making frequent comments regarding a person’s appearance and weight, sending messages in the middle of the night, texting staff deeply personal and seemingly romantic thoughts, intruding on personal occasions without invitation, paying for personal vacations, and spending thousands of dollars on gifts for staffers. Reasoning · 47 wordsWhen taken individually, this conduct is, at a minimum, inappropriate, but these actions, when taken in combination with each other and when viewed under a totality of the circumstances test, led the committee to find that Representative Edwards engaged in unprofessional conduct toward two young female staffers. Claims · 40 wordsSaid conduct created a hostile work environment that resulted in both staffers leaving the employment of Mr. Edwards’ office.2 Furthermore, the Committee on Ethics recommends a floor sanction should be imposed, 3and Representative Edwards should be censured for his conduct.4 Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 7 wordsI reserve the balance of my time.Procedure
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