MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood Township is investigating allegations of sexual harassment at the Maplewood Pool, it said in a press release on Aug. 17. The township cannot comment on personnel matters; the identities of the employee the complaint was filed against and the victim have not been released.
“After receiving allegations regarding sexual harassment at the Maplewood Pool, the township is taking immediate action and conducting an investigation. These allegations are taken very seriously,” the release read. “All necessary and appropriate action will be taken against any employees found to have violated the township’s sexual harassment policy. The township periodically updates its employee handbook and conducts employee trainings annually, including on sexual harassment. The township is committed to a harassment-free, inclusive and welcoming work culture.”
The Township Committee released its own statement on the same day, saying that it had held an emergency meeting that afternoon to address the allegations. In addition to the ongoing investigation, the Township Committee said the township administration and the community services department will be meeting with the pool management and staff to ensure appropriate actions are taken.
“We are committed to providing mandatory anti-harassment and antibias training to all employees, including seasonal employees, such as pool staff, on an annual basis going forward,” the committee’s statement read. “Whatever form it takes, harassment is insulting and demeaning and will not be tolerated in the workplace. The Maplewood Township Committee is unwaveringly committed to ensuring that our community pool and all township facilities are environments free of inappropriate behavior of any kind, and we condemn both harassment and discrimination by or against any employee.”
The Township Committee’s next meeting is on Sept. 1, and the statement said the community would be updated on the situation then.
“We applaud the courage of the young women who brought these issues to light and are wholeheartedly committed to seeing that a full investigation of all complaints is conducted and that all employees are heard,” the committee said. “If a violation of the township’s policies is found following investigation, prompt and decisive action will be taken.”
An Instagram account called “mcpjustice” was started on Aug. 18 and has been posting anonymous accounts from current and former pool employees that detail harassment. In an email to the News-Record on Aug. 24, the manager of the account said the harassment puts staff, many of whom are minors, at the pool in jeopardy.
“Victims felt unheard and upset that, even in being extremely vulnerable and speaking up for themselves, our own management along with their supervisors were taking their sweet time to make the work environment a safe space. Each shift was triggering for a staff member,” the account manager said in the email, saying that reports were made at the end of July. “Other staff had begun expressing with each other their experiences with sexual harassment and even assault that has occurred at MCP for years from other predators.”
The account manager also said the Township Committee was negligent in protecting victims who submitted reports to pool management.
“We the voices of victims, survivors and allies felt it in our gut that sharing this story was a necessity. If young girls and guys can’t even feel safe at their first community jobs, imagine how they will feel at a college institution or even in a corporate setting,” the email read. “Silencing them is not an option. You will listen to us and hear our demands. Maplewood and South Orange community members, we need to support and stand in solidarity with survivors to lift their voices. Help them heal and know they are backed until justice is served. Actions are being demanded now to be put in place to make the Maplewood Community Pool a safe work environment.”
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