• 06
  • February
    2012

When most people think about sexual harassment, they picture a male supervisor who makes unwanted advances or comments toward female employees. However, it is important to understand that men can also be victims.

One such sexual harassment case is putting the future of Archie Comics in jeopardy.

The company's co-CEO, Nancy Silberkleit, is accused of creating a hostile work environment for the company's male employees. Among the numerous allegations are claims that Silberkleit would burst into meetings and shout remarks about her male employees' genitalia.

The lawsuit against Silberkleit was brought by the other co-CEO, Jonathan Goldwater. After Silberkleit violated rules limiting her interactions with employees, Goldwater went to court to have her banned from the company's office until the charges are resolved.

Silberkleit denies the harassment allegations, but does admit that she was under a lot of stress as a result of being one of the few females in a male-dominated industry. She thinks the lawsuit is part of an attempt to force her out of the company that has been in her family since its founding.

The dispute is making many in the industry wonder if Archie Comics will be able to maintain its status as the last of the independently-owned major comic book companies. Goldwater wants to sell the company, but Silberkleit refuses. However, if she loses the lawsuit, she may no longer have a choice.

Only time will tell whether the allegations against Silberkleit are true or not. However, one thing is certain: perceived sexual harassment creates an unstable work environment and puts companies at risk.

Source: The Daily Beast, "Archie Comics: Corporate Brawl Over Sexual Harassment Charges," Nancy Hass, Feb. 1, 2012