Send a Raven! “Game of Thrones” Warns Us About Workplace Harassment

We are continually reminded about harassment – via social media, the news and throughout pop culture. Celebrities, prominent business execs and even fictional characters on television shows display inappropriate behavior for all the world to see.

The #MeToo movement directed a spotlight on a rampant problem that needed to be exposed, and we are now more sensitive to what harassment looks like.

Although progress is being made, more work needs to be done. How can we help? By continuously showing examples of what not to do.

Pop Culture Provides a Learning Opportunity

With the massive popularity of hit television shows like Seinfeld, The Office, Mad Men and Game of Thrones, we are exposed to learning lessons of what not to do in the workplace, and society in general. Some might argue scenes in these shows reinforce undesirable behavior, but for the purpose of this article – and a few more that will follow down the road – let’s use examples as opportunities to learn from past mistakes.

Game of Thrones (GOT) is the biggest cable television show in history. Deceit is the name of the game, and using people for personal gain – without consequences – is the norm. Practically every episode provides examples of behavior that would be deemed inappropriate in today’s world. The “that’s the way it was back then” defense might work in a fantasy television show, but those actions don’t fly today. At all.

We can use these no-nos as reminders of what harassment looks like. (Spoiler alert: If you haven’t watched the current season yet, you may want to skip to the last subhead!)

Game of Thrones provides numerous examples of how not to behave in the workplace, or society, for that matter.

Harassment Is a Serious Matter

For example, take a scene from the current season (Season 8, Episode 4), when survivors of “The Long Night” celebrate their victory over the Night King. During the merriment, characters drink, cavort with women and formulate plans to double-cross their leaders … all while all in the presence of senior management!

Imagine a business environment where a team is gathered in the lunch room celebrating a significant achievement. They are drinking, flirting, throwing around sexual innuendo and encouraging others to harass women in the room, all in front of management. And no one says a word.

Whether you’re celebrating in the office or at the regular watering hole down the street, harassment is still harassment and it’s never – repeat, never – acceptable.

In the same scene, Tormund Giantsbane (one of the free folk, with a bushy red beard) goes on and on as to why Jon Snow should be king, not more than 10 feet from Daenerys Targaryen, who just happens to be the queen of everyone present. Okay, so if you don’t watch the show, don’t worry. Tormund is stating, intentionally and in Daenerys’ presence, that a man is a better leader than a woman – despite that woman having two dragons! That’s a lot of power, yet Daenerys is still chided because, in Tormund’s eyes, she is not a man and therefore not the best option to lead. Sure, Jon Snow came back from the dead, but Daenerys walked into a fire and survived, returning with three dragon eggs, to boot. Skills should matter, not chromosomes.

Every episode of GOT includes scenes where characters demean one another – from commentary about race and social standing to ridiculing someone for having a handicap or reprehensible bloodline. While these actions might be appropriate in the context of the show, they should remind us how not to act in the modern workplace.

Ongoing Training Helps Create Awareness

We share these scenes not to make light of harassment, but to shine light on it. Using pop-culture references can be a useful teaching tool. And if you need a little guidance in anti-harassment training for your employees, we can help. The HR 101 course, Preventing Workplace Harassment, is an ideal resource to help small businesses inform staff about workplace harassment issues.