A Standard for the Top, Too

In the aftermath of Councilman Nate Holden’s successful, taxpayer-financed defense against a sexual harassment lawsuit, the Los Angeles City Council has been considering a proposal that would hold council members and city department heads to the same standard as Civil Service employees in cases charging sexual harassment or discrimination. But six times in the last month, the council has delayed action on the proposal. That’s six times too many.

Under current rules, successfully pressing an administrative complaint of sexual harassment or discrimination against a top-level official ranges from difficult to nearly impossible. There is no formal procedure for investigating complaints. Some victims never step forward at all because they fear workplace reprisal. This has created a gray area that officials can abuse with no fear of punishment.

Council members Jackie Goldberg and Ruth Galanter have properly concluded that change is demanded and have introduced legislation to ensure that it comes. Their measure would establish a special committee on investigative oversight composed of the mayor, the city controller, the City Council president and the heads of the City Council personnel committee and the rules and elections committee. The body would address harassment complaints from city employees and could launch investigations. The full council could censure one of its own members.

Employees who are sexually harassed or discriminated against by officials at lower levels can seek redress through the city Personnel Department, their unions, the Civil Service Commission or the federal Equal Employment Opportunities Commission. More than 48,000 city employees work under the system every day. There’s no reason it shouldn’t apply to the handful of top officials as well.