Sexual harassment firestorm puts US workplaces in flux The Christmas party at the Advertising Specialty Institute is the chance to eat, drink and be merry after a year of hard work. So far, so normal. Except that plenty of other companies have axed the annual tradition, determined to avoid untoward behavior as the United States closes out 2017 reeling from a firestorm of sexual harassment and abuse scandals. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES