Sex and Work

Photo: Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine

How did you react to the Letterman scandal?
It doesn’t surprise me; bosses do this all the time.
Men: 14
Women: 19

It doesn’t surprise me; I always thought he was sort of creepy.
Men: 5
Women: 5

I was shocked that he’d do something so inappropriate.
Men: 7
Women: 6

I don’t care—it’s not my business what consenting adults do.
Men: 23
Women: 19

Do you think Letterman “took advantage” of these women?
Yes.
Men: 16
Women: 18

No.
Men: 29
Women: 29

Do you think Letterman is a hypocrite for making jokes about the affairs of Bill Clinton and other politicians?
Yes.
Men: 23
Women: 29

No.
Men: 27
Women: 26

Have you ever worked at a place where the boss was having an affair with an underling?
Yes.
Men: 31
Women: 22

No.
Men: 19
Women: 26

Have you ever had a romantic relationship with a:
Boss?
Men: 9
Women: 7

Subordinate?
Men: 6
Women: 3

Colleague?
Men: 30
Women: 21

If so, do you regret it?
Not at all.
Men: 29
Women: 19

It made things uncomfortable, but there was nothing wrong with what I did.
Men: 4
Women: 3

It was absolutely a mistake.
Men: 0
Women: 6

Would Letterman be fired if he did this at your company?
Yes.
Men: 21
Women: 19

No.
Men: 26
Women: 25

Should he be fired?Yes.
Men: 7
Women: 8

No.
Men: 40
Women: 33

Is it okay to date a subordinate?
It should always be allowed—adults can do what they want.
Men: 23
Women: 13

It should only be allowed if the relationship is open, to protect against conflicts of interest.
Men: 14
Women: 22

It is never okay.
Men: 8
Women: 7

Is it ever okay to date an intern?
Yes.
Men: 31
Women: 16

No.
Men: 19
Women: 30

Have you been made uncomfortable by a co-worker’s flirting?
Yes.
Men: 17
Women: 23

No.
Men: 32
Women: 25

If yes, did you report it to a workplace authority?
Yes.
Men: 1
Women: 5

No.
Men: 16
Women: 18

If yes, did you tell your colleague that you were uncomfortable?
Yes.
Men: 14
Women: 9

No.
Men: 3
Women: 14

Do you think show-business types like Letterman and Roman Polanski get away with more than the average person?
Yes; show business is full of immorality.
Men: 28
Women: 28

No; this happens everywhere, we just hear about it more when celebrities do it.
Men: 21
Women: 17

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Sex and Work