The most significant impact the #MeToo movement has had on Atlanta-based Southern Co. has been to inspire a broad dialogue throughout the gas and electric utility about workplace values, according to general counsel James Kerr.

“We are governed by the company’s strong values statement,” said Kerr, who is also the company’s chief compliance officer. “So we are not changing policies, but are changing the conversation. It has prompted an openness among leaderships and others … to fundamentally raise awareness around the importance of general issues of equality, diversity and inclusion, and around manifestations such as pay equity, harassment and the #MeToo movement.”