While media attention has focused on the accusations of sexual misconduct among Hollywood heavy hitters, television personalities and politicians, the healthcare industry isn't immune to misbehavior in the workplace.
Indeed, one of the biggest payouts for workplace harassment occurred in 2012 when Mercy General Hospital in California and its parent company, Catholic Healthcare West (now Dignity Health), were ordered to pay more than $167 million to Ani Chopourian, a former physician's assistant who says she was fired after she complained of sexually inappropriate conduct, bullying and retaliation, in addition to inferior patient care by surgeons.
While USA Today reported that the judge later vacated the award after attorneys on both sides negotiated a settlement, the large payout should serve as a wake-up call to hospital leaders that they can't ignore complaints of misconduct in the workplace.
