our next guest is lauren rivlin, barron's deputy manager editor. thanks for joining us. >> thanks for having me. >> obviously this is top of mine in the headlines, certainly. but it hasn't always been for

our next guest is lauren rivlin, barron's deputy manager editor. thanks for joining us. >> thanks for having me. >> obviously this is top of mine in the headlines, certainly. but it hasn't always been for investors and for companies. but what are the consequences if investors and companies don't pay attention to these issues? >> well, i think the consequences are that you get more issues. and companies find themselves in a lot of trouble both financially and otherwise. and it gets harder to recruit people, to retain people, and to interest investors in your stocks. >> also mutual funds, i would think, especially those that are socially conscious, would be less apt to allocate money to companies that have had these issues or that they find are not addressing poten auctiis is that a corre read? >> i think that's absolutely correct. mutual fund managers we've spoken to have said they actively avoid companies that are embroiled in sexual harassment issues, particularly lawsuits, because they feel it's a business risk. >> what about boards? company boar