Dear Editor,

There has been a massive impact following the viral #MeToo movement, which has since caused media debate as well as talk about a topic that has long been labeled as taboo. Since the hashtag went viral, many women have been empowered to speak up against workplace harassment. Also sparking change is the confrontation and uncovering of sexual harassment involving celebrities, showing that anyone is at risk.

Many people from all around the world band together to put a stop to sexual harassment and assault in the workplace. Although words are the greatest tool when trying to afflict change, it’s time for affirmative action.

According to the Department of Workforce Development in Wisconsin, “An employer can set stricter limits on harassment in the workplace (such as prohibiting all harassment) than may be specified under fair employment laws.” By letting companies choose how strict they want their guidelines to be, it leaves gaps in which inappropriate acts, such as sexual harassment, can fester.

Harassment in any form should be banned from the workplace, and those rules should be enforced at all times. There should be a standard baseline that all companies must comply with, which should prohibit all harassment. By setting a standard for all companies, it will give a clear message that any form of sexual harassment is in no way tolerated in the state of Wisconsin.

The #MeToo movement sparked a long-awaited discussion on how people value each other in a workplace setting. Now that we can have an open discussion about sexual harassment in the workplace, it’s time to create a world where people don’t have to feel uncomfortable going to work. Hopefully #MeToo can one day be a saying from the past.