LITIGATION VALUE: $450,000 (could be more if several employees file claims)
As Julie has been called upon to practice law this week, she asked me to blog in her place. I’m Troy Foster, a fellow labor and employment attorney with Ford & Harrison and also a big fan of the show. Thankfully this week’s episode gave me plenty of material.
Mama Mia! Andy’s not only “taking a chance” on Angela, but also with Dunder Mifflin’s pocket book. Things are ripe for a sexual harassment claim that will be difficult to defend. Angela is probably in the driver’s seat with this one. In addition to Andy’s serenade, his asking her out for dinner “and maybe more,” touching her back, and commenting to others about her attractiveness are making this an uphill battle for Dunder Mifflin. Add to that Dwight’s constant badgering her to get back together, and her rejection after rejection of his advances, and we’ve got a real problem. And, that’s only what happened in one day. (Don’t forget that Jim’s claim could be next if Meredith keeps lifting her dress up and whispering sweet nothings.)
As usual, Michael is not helping things either. He knows about all of the inter-office relationships (whether it’s Dwight and Angela, Jim and Pam, or Andy’s efforts to secure Angela’s heart); on top of that, he condones and even encourages office romance. Managers really should know that these relationships are absolutely taboo. (If companies want to allow any co-workers to have romantic relationships, they should make them sign the agreement that Jim and Pam tried to get Toby to hand over – when he said let’s just see what happens.) As in any relationship, things can be going along smoothly, and then once the relationship hits a rather large rut – like when your beau becomes Kitty Kevorkian – things go south quickly. Angela’s frustration and anger at Dwight, combined with Andy’s persistence to get Angela to “take a chance,” may soon turn into a sexual harassment claim against the company. And, it may not be the bear horn that Angela’s ringing – it’s the bell when the jury awards her big bucks!
Any thoughts on Dunder Mifflin’s exposure for Michael kidnapping the pizza kid?
Thanks for your notes this week, Troy. I enjoy Julie’s blog weekly.
The “kidnapping” yesterday caused quite a stir among the Scranton Branch employees. QUESTION: What litigation potential does the “kidnapping” hold? Will all the employees be held liable for detaining a minor against his will, or will Michael and Dwight receive the brunt of the guilt?
What about the whole kidnapping saga?
What about the fact that Michael kidnapped the pizza delivery boy? I would’ve figured there would be some litigation value there, No?
After watching The Office, I thought that you would comment on the Pizza delivery boy that Michael and Dwight take hostage in the conference room. I was wondering if you had an idea of how much this outrageous act could poentially cost Dunder Mifflin.