Letterman's producer calls workplace fair for employees

[kskiska]

Source: LAT

Rob Burnett, executive producer of “Late Show with David Letterman,” is defending the program’s treatment of women after the National Organization for Women complained that Letterman’s relationship with female staffers created a “toxic environment.”

In a letter of response to NOW, released today by the organization, Burnett said that the show has long taken seriously the issue of respect for women in the workplace. “As an employee of David Letterman’s since 1985, I have personally found the work environment on his shows to be fair, professional and entirely merit-based at all times,” he wrote on Thursday.

Burnett said that 58% of the “Late Show” staff are women, including three of the show’s four executive producers during the last nine years. He added that the program’s human resources department contacted each member of the “Late Show” staff to determine that they did not feel harassed, noting that Letterman has never had a complaint filed against him.

Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/10/lettermans-producer-calls-workplace-fair-for-female-employees.html

[Darth_Kitten]

1. Yeah, I wouldn't have a problem with a co-worker....

getting a 6 figure salary if she was screwing the boss, so sirree.....

[jbnow]

7. If they are doing a good job and we are both getting fair pay

what would I care if I* even know at all?

It all depemds. Whether or not we approve of the behavior they had that choice to make.
I know people worry maybe he took advantage of his power position. On the other hand 'stars' tend to have more women who want to sleep with them, they could have sort of been using him for what they want.

We don't know. They do. Too bad their privacy was/is invaded, don't know how much the women are being hassled by press.

If Dave did do wrong it should be dealt with, I just don't assume it.

[robo50]

2. Breaking news, the fox says he's doing a good job guarding the hen house!

Details and Film at 11:00 on the "news", just before the David Letterman show.

Special guest tonight on the Letterman show: the fox who guards the hen house.

[itsrobert]

3. Sounds about right

Nobody has lodged a complaint. Sums this up nicely.

[WriteDown]

20. Its like when someone doesn't report a rape and then...

"claims" there was one years later, but they were too ashamed to report it. All liars. I get tired of them making up stories.

[DontTreadOnMe]

4. I disagree...

I think no one should be allowed to date, or even have carnal thoughts, about anyone within 60 miles of your workplace.

You are at the workplace to create profit, not happiness.

How dare these Liberals think they have the right to have any kind of personal relationship on my dime... now get back to work or you're fired!





(do I really need to post the sarcasm thingie here?)

[lisa58]

6. not for me (the sarcasm thingie)...

...I think work and creativity is a real turn-on. Letterman's wife used to work for him....his long-term girlfriend before his wife worked for him.

This is why I work for my husband...I know what happens when you work so closely with someone.

[lisa58]

5. Letterman has been around forever...

...if the first complaint comes from a pissed-off boyfriend (and it has) I believe the producer.

[bemildred]

8. Produce a good anonymous poll of the staff or shutup.

The producers opinion amounts to nothing.

[JDPriestly]

9. I tend to agree that when a boss sleeps with one of the employees, it creates a hostile workplace

for others. The worst is when the boss has a crush on one of the employees. And usually the employee who is the object of the crush can't do anything about it.

Leave sex out of the workplace. The worst of it is that, since love affairs most often end, either in marriage or a long-term relationship or in a break-up which is usually difficult for one or the other, somebody very often loses his or her job when the boss has a "special relationship" with an employee.

[marshall]

17. The hens have come home to roost for Letterman

http://www.tmz.com/2009/10/27/ex-letterman-writer-claims-sexual-favortism/

This was bound to happen. All it takes is one employee who wasn't schupping the boss to make the allegation that he or she did not get equal treatment to those who were. And with so many notches on Letterman's bedpost there are plenty of cases to set up a pattern of preferential treatment.

This is why such relationships are frowned on, and I'm glad to see NOW stepping up to bat.

[WriteDown]

21. The WORST is when said employee gets promoted over

others who are more qualified. Seen it a few times in my career.

[KT2000]

10. Oh for Pete's sake

there are so many real cases of women being intimidated in the workplace and the Letterman situation is not one of them.
Practicing mental gymnastics on this case does not serve NOW well.
If it weren't for workplace romances, I would not have any in-laws.

[rayofreason]

11. I guess Letterman never hit on Burnett. n/t

[Psephos]

22. As good a seven-word summary as could be written. n/t

[Anakin Skywalker]

12. It's All About the Benjamins. 'Cause Let's Face It

it ain't about Dave's good looks!

[No Elephants]

13. Women hate very smart men who make them laugh and treat them will.

[w4rma]

19. No, it couldn't be about charisma. (nt)

:sarcasm:

[No Elephants]

14. Wow, a liberal late night show host who attacked Bush and Palin has a workplace

affair and suddenly it's as if no boss, male or female, single or married, ever had an affair with an employee before.

Are you kidding me?


Dave's wife used to work in Accounting. Should they not have dated?

Also, some of the women who worked on that show must have been fired in the past. Not a one of them, fired or not, ever complained about either direct sexual harassment or a hostile work environment. And there is certainly plenty to be had monetarily from filing a complaint against Letterman. Even now, not a single employee or former employeee has stepped forward to say, "Yes, I felt stalked or I felt the workplace was hostile, so who the hell is NOW protecting or speaking for?

People meet, get attracted to each other and, married or not, sleep with each other. And often they meet at work. It is far from unique and it is not always about victimization.

[mopinko]

15. all sex is harassment, i guess.

oh please.

[mulsh]

16. this is almost as good as the ballon boy as a distraction

n/t

[marshall]

18. Not too effective coming from a man

This kind of damage control needs to come from a woman who is on the staff.

Any women on the Letterman staff want to speak up?

[samsingh]

23. i don't think Letterman did anything wrong.

[AngryAmish]

24. Well, that settles that then...

[rayofreason]

25. Every Hottie has a shot at David - Fair!