The problem is that risk reward is so skewed in other direction.
For anyone to accuse someone of sexual harassment is 100% career killing move.
So when 2 people in the room, the one with least power has the most to loose in bringing accusations.
For anyone to accuse someone of sexual harassment is 100% career killing move.
So when 2 people in the room, the one with least power has the most to loose in bringing accusations.
The best case is pay out, but they definitely lost this job, future opportunities, etc. They are not going to get recommendations letters.
As soon as you accuse someone you start costing company gigaton of money.
In America we promote/keep people who make money not cost money.
You think this didn't change after MeToo? This kind of attitude can easily end in a legal and PR nightmare.
Imagine a situation where the employee hates the manager and just wants to screw them over for a past issue, being passed over for a promotion or whatever, and the employee is going through some life patches. The employee has a one on one with their employer privately to solve an issue and then following this meeting, turns around and sued the company and the manager with sexual harassment.
If you do not think there are vindictive employees, then your statement works, however, they exist. So, if you are innocent and accused, the risk FAR outweighs the mentor ship rewards; losing your job, being blackballed, loss of trust from your significant other, etc. vs. providing guidance.