Porn studios

[gcursor]

So I was reading some blogs tonight and one of them talked about how some porn studios are notorious for using their models as "sex toys". They say that they hold the prospect of a contract, signing bonus and whatever else over their head until they relent to have sex wth...assumably the head of the studio itself.

 

I guess I always suspected that this kind of stuff happens behind closed doors. But does this kind of stuff really go on? It seems like it would be somewhat unethical to do.

[mmk123]

but is that any different than what goes on in any workplace? How many times have we performed a task at work at the coaxing of a superior when they have mentioned advancement, new job prospects, etc. It happens everywhere. Yes it is unethical but it does happen.

[bigvalboy]

I would venture to guess that it does. Like almost any other industry where beauty is a commodity. I personally have known two guys over the course of the last 20 years of my life that were involved in the porn industry. One owned a studio based in Canada and one was part owner of a studio in the states. I will not for obvious reason devulge the names of those studios, however I can say with absolute certainty that neither one of these guys engaged in that kind of practice. Both had much younger boyfriends which had at one time been porn stars, but they had pulled them from the business and were there constant companions, bought and paid for if you will. But never did they ever hold the prospect of contracts or signing bonus for the exhange for sex. I remember the entire porn business being very serious stuff, and like any business there was the constant effort to remain profitable, but that is not to say that it does not happen, just in the cases that I personally know about I know it didn't.

[bigvalboy]

but is that any different than what goes on in any workplace? How many times have we performed a task at work at the coaxing of a superior when they have mentioned advancement, new job prospects, etc. It happens everywhere. Yes it is unethical but it does happen.

I actually disagree with you mmk123. I do not believe that it happens everywhere, I work for a national company with offices all over the country, about 15 years ago corporate adopted a zero tolerance on sexual harrasement. I know of a supervisor with 25 years with the co. who mentioned to a co-worker, who was lesbian that "he knows what she likes and what she does to other women" he did breifly become a little graphic, but I know this woman personally. She complained to HR and after a brief investigation he was terminated immediately. Now in a smaller co. you may not be as protected.

[mmk123]

I guess I should have clarified myself. I do not think that sexual harrasment happens everywhere but I do think that it would not be surprising for a superior to get more work out of an employee that they might hint around that by performing extra tasks that there could be possible benefits-i.e. raises, promotions, etc - that could come down the road yet sometimes do not.

[bigvalboy]

I guess I should have clarified myself. I do not think that sexual harrasment happens everywhere but I do think that it would not be surprising for a superior to get more work out of an employee that they might hint around that by performing extra tasks that there could be possible benefits-i.e. raises, promotions, etc - that could come down the road yet sometimes do not.

Well the point I was making is that, while that might occur in smaller independent companys, sexual harrasment laws are very specific and the courts have proven to up hold and not have any tolerance for even the slightest infraction. Our company for example, If a supervisor even hinted at extra favors with the promise of a promotion or raise down the road, I can tell you with absolute certainty that termination would be swift and immediate. I have a sister who works for a major news television station that is global. And there policy is as strict as ours. Again in a small independent setting or business, that sort of thing does probably occur, but I can't imagine any major corporation in the country risking a law suit. In our company, you cannot call a female worker honey or sweetheart or anything other than her first name, I am not even allowed hug or to touch a female coworker for any reason, now obviously people do, but if someone ever complained they would be in alot of hot water.

 

I hugged a female coworker once welcoming her back from vacation, another employee saw us, thought it was inappropriate and complained to HR...I was sat down and was given a VERY stern warning. Times have really changed.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

I guess I should have clarified myself. I do not think that sexual harrasment happens everywhere but I do think that it would not be surprising for a superior to get more work out of an employee that they might hint around that by performing extra tasks that there could be possible benefits-i.e. raises, promotions, etc - that could come down the road yet sometimes do not.

 

Many of these types of promises are made. However, when they are not fulfilled, the managers usually get into difficulty as they become "verbal contracts" so I've seen this type of supervisor behavior lessen over the last 20 years.