“If something feels wrong, trust your gut.” – Brittany Stevens

In this week’s episode, Carol Schultz sits down with employment attorney Brittany Stevens (Partner at Phillips & Associates) to unpack the realities of sexual harassment, workplace discrimination, and power dynamics—and what leaders can do to create workplaces where people feel safe speaking up.

Brittany explains how harassment is defined under the law (and why it often differs from what people assume), why so many cases come down to evidence and “totality of circumstances,” and how fear of retaliation keeps employees silent—especially when the harasser holds power. They discuss what strong workplace policies and training should actually include, why some organizations make it hard to report, and how employees can protect themselves when a company is focused on protecting itself. The episode closes with practical guidance for both leaders and employees on building safer systems, documenting issues, and knowing when to seek confidential legal advice.

Takeaways

1. Sexual harassment isn’t always “obvious”—many cases are subtle and pattern-based.
2. Legal definitions of harassment/discrimination vary across federal, state, and city laws.
3. Power imbalances (boss vs. employee) make reporting feel risky and unsafe.
4. Fear of retaliation is one of the biggest reasons people stay silent.
5. Documentation and internal complaints can significantly strengthen a case.
6. Many companies fail by not having clear reporting policies or trusted processes.
7. Leaders must train managers not only on behavior—but on how to respond to complaints.
8. Discrimination can happen anywhere—industry, company size, and role don’t matter.
9. Some terminations get “hidden” behind restructuring or reductions in force.
10. Consulting a law firm can be a confidential way to understand your options.

Chapters

00:00 Intro: The taboo topic—sexual harassment & workplace safety

00:49 What Brittany’s firm does (employee-side discrimination law)

02:19 Why the firm was founded & what motivates this work

02:50 Defining harassment vs. what people think harassment is

04:28 Harassment isn’t always sexual: hostile work environments & protected classes

05:15 Evidence, documentation, and why cases are fact-dependent

06:16 Power dynamics: why “just say no” isn’t realistic

07:43 What victims can do when they fear repercussions

08:25 Why policies and reporting systems often fail (or don’t exist)

10:40 Vetting employers: red flags, lawsuits, and research before accepting jobs

11:13 DEI changes and what may shift over time

12:01 Discrimination happens everywhere (yes—even “good” companies)

13:00 What leaders should do: training, reporting, investigations, real support

15:54 Women vs. men: patterns Brittany sees in harassment and discrimination cases

16:46 Disability/medical termination & “restructuring” as a cover

18:35 How Phillips & Associates evolved and expanded over time

20:05 Growth bottlenecks: why jurisdiction/laws matter

21:21 Why expand into less employee-friendly states like Florida

22:58 Client trust: the importance of fast support and connection

23:54 Internal training: listening, empathy, and handling emotional calls

26:10 Choosing a path: quiet resolution vs. litigation

27:03 How to find the firm & their contingency model

29:24 Final thoughts: protecting yourself when the company protects itself

Connect With Host Carol Schultz

Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

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