May 23, 2006

Disqualifying touch

BOSTON (MA)
Boston Globe

May 23, 2006

DR. ROBERT HADDAD should resign from his position as president of the Caritas Christi Health Care system. The recent finding that he sexually harassed four women, inappropriately hugging and kissing them, indicates that he lacks the judgment to be the top administrator of the six-hospital system.

An independent lawyer found that Haddad had violated state and federal sexual harassment laws as well as Caritas Christi policies. A statement from the archdiocese said the lawyer concluded that, ``Dr. Haddad's conduct while clearly improper was not of an exceptionally egregious nature."

After consulting other lawyers, Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley and Caritas Christi's board agreed that Haddad should receive a stern reprimand and undergo sexual harassment training.

One person who called for Haddad's dismissal was Helen Drinan, vice president of human resources at Caritas Christi. In a May 8 letter to O'Malley, Drinan wrote, ``I implore you to accept the recommendation to terminate Dr. Haddad immediately, and remove him from the workplace. I further ask that you take whatever actions necessary to offer support and assistance to his victims."

Posted by kshaw at May 23, 2006 08:23 AM