Business Case Studies & Business Publications

How Normal is Normal? The Mitsubishi Mot...

Alsheimer, J., Dow...

Case

How Normal is Normal? The Mitsubishi Motors Sexual Harassment Case

Alsheimer, J.; Dowling, P.; Pivar, B.; Powell, Elizabeth A.

BC-0128 | Published January 27, 1998 | 14 pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

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Product Details

This case illustrates Mitsubishi Motors Manufacturing of America's (MMMA) responses to allegations of sexual harassment in 1996 at its Normal, Illinois, facility. The majority of the case focuses on major events that took place between 1992 and spring 1996, culminating in an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigation and class-action suit, which at the time was estimated to be the most expensive suit ever filed. The decision-maker in the case is Lynn Martin, former US Secretary of Labor, who had been hired by Mitsubishi to help the organization take corrective action. Exhibits include a brief history on sexual harassment law and a description of the EEOC. This case works well with MBA and executive audiences to address how to restore credibility and reputation following a scandal. It also highlights the challenges that an outside consultant faces when hired to make policy recommendations aimed at image restoration.