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Test Your Knowledge – A Friendly Hug?

A California state senator was reprimanded recently by the senate rules committee after an internal investigation into complaints that he hugged other senators and staff. The senate Rules Committee stopped short of a sexual harassment accusation but the senator agreed to stop hugging.

How did a Northern California county sheriff fare under a similar complaint?

  • In this case, the Plaintiff, a county corrections officer, alleged that the county sheriff created a sexually hostile work environment by repeatedly hugging her at sheriff’s office employee events such as parties, celebrations, and training sessions or meetings, over a 12-year period.

    The Defendants (sheriff and county) contended that even the Plaintiff described the sheriff’s hugs as brief and of the kind that one might give a friend or relative. The two were never alone when the hugs were given. The Defendants argued that nevertheless the hugs were “chest to breasts.” While the Defendants argued that the sheriff had also hugged male employees, the Plaintiff claimed that the sheriff typically shook hands with male employees.

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