Fitness First Sexual Harassment Incidents Trivialized (Ire)

The following is the email I received from Kent Richards, Fitness First Philippines National Operations Consultant.

Email from Kent Richards

08 June 2006

Hi Lorna,

Our National Group Exercise (GX) Manager, Frank Drew, has dealt with the situation reported.

The investigation shows that although the GX Instructor embarrassed the Members in his class, it was not meant to deliberately humiliate any one specific member. The line between humour and rudeness was crossed and this is the problem.

Fitness First have dealt with the Instructor and believe there is no risk of any similar incidents.

Looking forward to meeting you soon at the Club.

Many Thanks

Regards

KENT RICHARDS

National Operations Consultant

FITNESS FIRST (Philippines) Incorporated

krichards@fitnessfirst.com.ph

Email from Fitness First Head Office PR Agency (UK based)

Dear Ms. Lopez,

Many thanks for your email.

We have passed your message on to the Head Office of Fitness First in the UK (as we are their external PR agency).

Kind regards
Bree Sims
FD Consumer Dynamics
On behalf of Fitness First

My Opinion

To reduce the incidents to crossing the “line between humour and rudeness” is an insult to all the members the Fitness First instructor has sexually harassed. To trivialize their experiences as mere rudeness is unjust and psychologically impairing.

And, although this incident will reach the head office of Fitness First in UK, I have a feeling this will be swept under the rug.

Gentlemen, It’s Your Call

Unfortunately, on my end, I think I have reached a dead end. The only people who can take this a step further are those whom he has sexually harassed. Gentlemen, the ball is in your court. It’s totally your call.

As Ms. Sanchez, Assistant National Group Exercise (GX) Manager, has written, “…if ever there is anyone that would come forward with FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE of this (i.e. someone that was sexually harassed) said GX instructor would be out of Fitness First.”

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