How Far Would You Go For a Promotion?

It looks like things are heating up once again at the world's largest hedge fund as allegations of a bit of sexual deviance come to light. Christopher Tarui, a 34-year old employee at Bridgewater, recently filed (and then withdrew) a complaint against Ray Dalio's behemoth of a fund, calling it a "cauldron of fear and intimidation." What seemed to be the tipping point for him personally was the repeated sexual advances from a superior and awkward skinny-dipping at a company retreat.

But the supervisor continued to pursue him, Mr. Tarui said in his complaint. On one occasion, he said, his supervisor confided in him that he had an “itch to scratch,” and then asked Mr. Tarui whether he had ever “thought about being with other men.” Mr. Tarui said he told his supervisor he “was not wired that way.” But his supervisor persisted, Mr. Tarui said, adding that his boss then “specifically asked whether I would consent to having a sexual experience with him.”

This prompts me to think; how common is this kind of behavior in these close-knit, elite clubs? At what point do you stand up and tell your boss to put it where the sun don't shine, instead of laughing off or shyly brushing aside their uncomfortable "banter?" I know I'd be quick to shut that down, but is trading a handy for a big ol' promotion worth it to someone who is open to same-sex interactions? Personally, if it was a halfway decent looking female, I might be tempted to play along-- although I'd probably be shooting myself in the foot for not getting as far away as possible. Is there any safe way of dealing with something like this?