In 2018, amid the #MeToo reckoning, the Massachusetts House of Representatives created a new position, an “independent” Equal Employment Opportunity officer to examine allegations of harassment or discrimination while protecting the confidentiality of accusers and witnesses. They filled the job in June 2019, but the officeholder left for an new job in November 2020. It has been vacant ever since.

That's right: for 15 months, this office, which remains essential in ensuring that the MA State House is a safe and welcoming workplace for all, has remained empty.

The House cannot run out the rest of the legislative session without filling this position. Let your state rep know that this isn't acceptable--and that such an office needs more than just nominal independence.

Read more:

Samantha Gross, "Mass. House leaders heralded the creation of an Equal Employment Opportunity officer. They’ve left the position empty for 15 months.," Boston Globe, March 17, 2022, https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/17/metro/mass-house-leaders-heralded-creation-an-equal-employment-opportunity-officer-theyve-left-position-empty-15-months.

The Editorial Board, "Beacon Hill Lags on Sexual Harassment," Boston Globe, March 26, 2022, https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/26/opinion/help-wanted-someone-ride-herd-harassers/.

Jan Soma, "Mass. House is not moving the needle on workplace harassment, abuse (Letter)," Boston Globe, March 28, 2022, https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/28/opinion/mass-house-is-not-moving-needle-workplace-harassment-abuse/.