No I realize that @momofthreeboys , but I think people are going off the rails here a bit with the speculation. What we do know so far is that there is photographic evidence of him doing inappropriate things, and that he has admitted to harassing/assaulting women. That’s all we need to know to know he’s guilty.
So do I. In the sexual assault scenario, what prevents the victim from leaving is not the locked door, but the physicial strength superiority of the assaulter over the victim. The locked door is to prevent the assaulter from being interrupted or discovered while assaulting.
Let me make clear that I don’t think everyone, or most people, who have the button are assaulters. A locking button is convenient for people who frequently get calls that turn out to be confidential, and who don’t want to have to walk over to the door to lock it. However, the button also makes it easier for assaulters to assault.
Maybe, maybe not. You are speculating here. I know it makes for a juicier story, but let’s try and stick to the facts.
So far the only accused I can think of who seems to have JUST done a butt grab and is out of a job is MAYBE Garrison Keillor. But I suspect there is more to that story.
It is pretty clear that Lauer used the button that way, even if it was installed for security reasons. Seems like maybe those buttons should have a trigger where security is notified so they can come to the office if the button is needed.
Most of the time, the button would be used for the legitimate purpose of protecting confidentiality of legitimately confidential business. Moreover, predators can just lock their door by hand if they wish to assault. So I don’t see calling security every time to be a good solution.
That particular speculation is a little much, but even having the button begs so many questions. What was its real purpose? Who else had buttons in their offices? Everyone? Only celebrities? Only male celebrities?
Did he use it as it was intended or did he abuse his power/privilege in having it?
We’re not speculating that Lauer used the button to trap co-workers in his office and assault them. That’s what the accusers say he did. “[The button] allowed him to welcome female employees and initiate inappropriate contact while knowing nobody could walk in on him, according to two women who were sexually harassed by Lauer,” according to Variety.
We need a new law where offices need to be made out of glass. A glass cube would make the use of a lock button appropriate and still stop people from attacking. I doubt Matt would have attacked that woman if his office had glass walls. There is no expectation of privacy in a business setting. A glass wall still allows for confidential conversations.
I’m not super surprised at the button. CEOs of corporations often have a lot of fancy security stuff in place in case there is a “workplace problem”. I’d assume expensive “talent” can have the same.
I don’t need my door LOCKED to conduct confidential business. Just closed is fine.
So now men must be watched at all times? LOL I have more faith in most of them and believe that the vast majority do not engage in this sort of activity in their offices.
Sara Haynes on The View used to work in the NBC Studios. She said many, if not most, of the people with an office had the button. She was unsure whether it was a button that locked the door, but it was to close a door when confidential information was being discussed without someone having to get up and walk over to close the door.
I’m sure the lawyers will have fun with this.
@mom2twogirls They claim it is so they don’t have to get up but I think they are installed for much more nefarious reasons. I don’t believe that storyline for a minute. Seems a little bit too convenient of a cover.
I do not have daughters and I might be an old fuddy duddy but when I was growing up you were taught not to go into locked rooms with the opposite sex or get into cars with strange people. Today we have locking buttons and UBER that seem so normal. We are just normalizing such dangerous activities.
Well, Uber doesn’t have to be with strangers, except the driver. And how is that so different from a taxi? (Although I use Lyft myself when needed, Uber is nefarious in other ways)
If I don’t get into cars with strange men I can’t use taxis. And if I don’t go into rooms with locks if I’d be alone with a man, I can’t go into a boss’s office when he calls me into his office. This does not seem well thought out.
How hard is it to lift one’s ass out of a chair and lock the freakin’ door?! Betcha some of these folks have standing desks and go to health clubs to exercise… 
I interviewed at a company that had glass walls. Miles and miles of them. It was very strange and I felt uncomfortable just being in the rooms to interview. Sitting in an office you could see the guy 8 offices away.
Maybe NBC should just have teeny tiny offices so there is no need for door locks and no room for any dancing. No guest chairs so no need to close the door at all.
Look, so he could push a button and autolock a door. If the building’s being shot up, I get it. But you’re quoting, “while knowing nobody could walk in on him” and turning that into locking the woman in. Was she locked in or not?
And just because men here say they’ve never done something heinous, or some say their sons wouldn’t, doesn’t mean it isn’t out there. Don’t let your fears cause you to willingly bury your heads in the sand.
I heard on MSNBC I believe that all high-profile NBC senior staff had that type of button for security reasons followig 9/11. You never know when a deranged person or terrorist who gets by building security might decide to take some action or take someone high profile hostage.