Attorneys general of six states warned the National Football League on Wednesday to take swift action in response to recent allegations of a workplace culture that is hostile to women.
The coalition wrote a letter to the commissioner of the National Football League expressing grave concerns about the treatment of female employees of the league.
We will use the full weight of our authority to investigate and prosecute allegations of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation by employers throughout our states, including at the National Football League.
The New York Times reported in February on claims by more than 30 former employees of the National Football League, which are based in New York City.
The female former employees told The Times that they were made to watch a video of Ray Rice punching and knocking out his fiancée, with commentary from coworkers that the victim had brought the violence on herself.
Women were asked if they had been victims of domestic abuse.
Other women said that they were passed over for promotions based on their gender, and that they were pushed out for complaining about discrimination.
The letter said that we watched in horror as the video of Ray Rice brutally attacking his fiancée was made public.
We now know that they did nothing of the sort.
The NFL said in a statement that it is committed to keeping its workplace free from harassment and discrimination.
We have made great strides over the years in support of that commitment, but acknowledge that we, like many organizations, have more work to do.
We look forward to sharing with the attorneys general the policies, practices, protocols, education programs and partnerships we have implemented to act on this commitment and confirm that the league office and our clubs maintain a respectful workplace where all our employees, including women, have an opportunity.
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