Now that we are over the “shock” of Cassie’s lawsuit and the abuse that she allegedly endured (my use of the word allegedly in no way indicates that I do not believe Cassie, let me make that very clear) I want to discuss what her lawsuit means for the average worker who endures workplace abuse. Now you may be sitting there wondering, “How in the world did this turn into abuse in the workplace Dr. Yazeed? They were in a romantic relationship for almost a decade. This had nothing to do with her job!”
And this is where I have to disagree with you. Sean “Diddy” Combs was also Cassie Ventura’s boss. She was signed to Bad Boy Records, which he founded and is under the corporation – Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group. Cassie appeared in several music videos and collaborated on songs with Diddy, in addition to being the face for his apparel line, Sean Jean Clothing.
In the thirty-five page civil lawsuit that was filed with the New York Courts, not only was Sean Combs listed as a defendant in the lawsuit, but almost every company he was affiliated with, including Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group which several of Diddy’s other business ventures happen to fall under were listed as co-defendants. When Combs and Cassie failed to reach an agreement in private, her lawyers pivoted and what a pivot it was! By including the businesses that Mr. Combs owned and was associated with as a part of the lawsuit shifted who they would be negotiating with. The final decision in this legal case no longer rested solely with Mr. Combs, but now included the board of directors and the executive teams of each company being sued! At the end of the day, I think it is safe to say that Mr. Combs didn’t reach an agreement with Cassie – the board of directors and the executives for each of the companies listed did so, and here’s why I’m digging in my stilettos and standing firm in my beliefs.
Here’s how Cassie got paid…
Yes, Mr. Combs is a millionaire with assets worth between $800 – $900 million. Yes, he could have personally handed over 10% of his net worth and probably not flinch, but the odds are, Mr. Combs didn’t. It’s called business insurance and the companies Diddy owns and is affiliated with, including Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group, most likely have various types of business insurances that cover workplace incidents and allegations of abusive behavior that is endured by employees at the hands of their employer. It’s safe to assume that this is where Cassie’s payouts will come from, not Mr. Combs. This is also the reason we are seeing companies like Macy’s, Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School, and alcohol giant Diageo no longer wanting to be affiliated with Diddy, and why he has stepped down as the Chairman of Revolt – because he’s become a liability.
So what types of business insurances would cover allegations on this level…
Liability Business Insurance pays out when an employer is at fault, or is faced with a lawsuit regarding misconduct. Most companies have this type of basic business insurance. Next, there is Directors & Officers Liability Insurance which covers a company’s officers and board of director members when they are faced with financially damaging lawsuits, such as the case with Mr. Sean Combs. This type of insurance offers executives personal liability and financial loss protection from wrongful acts committed – or allegedly committed – as corporate officers. Lastly, as it pertains to this case, there is Employment Practices Liability Insurance which addresses specialized liability risks that arise from actual or alleged wrongdoing at work, including sexual and non-sexual harassment, discrimination, and employment-related emotional distress, among other things.
What does this mean for the average person…
On an average day, most employees are fearful of reporting abuse to the EEOC or filing a lawsuit because they feel it will be a waste of time, no one will believe them, they will not be compensated for the pain and suffering they have endured, and they may be blackballed in their industry. At the end of the day, fear has kept a lot of people from speaking up against executives and companies, because they believed they would endure backlash and other negative consequences, and sometimes, unfortunately this will happen. But what we have to remember is that the final decision rests with the board of directors – not the CEO, your manager, or the company’s attorney. Most companies will settle by filing a claim with their insurance provider (just like we do when we have a car accident or experience damage to our home). This is why it is imperative that you document, document, and document some more! Your documentation will serve as proof that the abuse and misconduct did occur and it will ultimately give you the upper hand. Why? It’s harder to say something didn’t happen when there is a pile of evidence that lists dates, times, locations, and eye witnesses of the wrongdoing – just like Cassie did in her civil lawsuit.
Yes, I believe Cassie’s case has opened Pandora’s Box when it comes to workplace abuse and victims seeking justice. Other women have come forward and filed suits like – an unnamed former assistant of Bad Boy, filed a lawsuit that accused Harve Pierre, a former president of Bad Boy Entertainment and Bad Boy Records, of engaging in a yearlong pattern of grooming – which the lawsuit states lead to sexual harassment and sexual assault. Music producer, Drew Dixon, filed a civil lawsuit against music mogul, L.A Reid for sexual assault which took place while he was the CEO of Arista Records (to learn more about Drew and her allegations against Reid and also Russell Simmons, check out her documentary, On the Record, which aired on Showtime). For the last two weeks we’ve heard about numerous celebrity cases involving sexual assault because of the New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which expired on Thanksgiving Day. The act allowed 2,500 survivors to file civil law suits in New York for sexual assault even after the criminal statue of limitations had expired – hence the long time lapses in some cases.
So I guess you’re wondering how this applies to you? The window for the New York’s Adult Survivors Act has closed, your state doesn’t have a similar act, and/or you were not sexually assaulted at your place of employment. I want you to understand that as an employee you have rights when it comes to workplace abuse- learn them! Every state has a statute of limitations regarding the filing of civil lawsuits, including exposure to hazardous work environments, know them! Companies have business liability insurance that will pay for misconduct that occurs in the workplace, so stop thinking you are helpless – you’re not! And most importantly – if you have experienced any type of abuse in the workplace or you believe you have endured some type of misconduct, but you are unsure – speak with an employment attorney as soon as possible. Stop assuming. Stop feeling hopeless and helpless, and thinking you don’t have a fighting chance. Don’t just quit your toxic job then spend the rest of your life suffering in silence. You have a chance to finally walk away victorious – take it!
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Dr. Carey Yazeed is a Behavioral Scientist who specializes in Black women and vulnerability, and workplace trauma. She is also the author of Unbreak My Soul: How Black Women Can Begin To Heal From Workplace Trauma. Interested in having Dr. Yazeed as a speaker for your upcoming event, click here to learn more about hiring her.
