WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- The National Organization for Women has sharply criticized comedian David Letterman , accusing him of promoting a hostile , uncomfortable work environment . David Letterman 's behavior with employees has created `` a toxic environment '' in the workplace , NOW says . `` The latest Letterman controversy sheds new light on the widespread objectification of women in the workplace , '' NOW said in a statement Tuesday . `` Most women can attest to the fact that many workplaces are plagued with inappropriate behavior by men in power . '' The `` Late Show With David Letterman '' host admitted last week on his CBS program that he had sex with unnamed employees and had testified about those liaisons before a New York grand jury as part of an alleged extortion attempt . A CBS producer , Robert `` Joe '' Halderman , is accused of threatening to go public with embarrassing information about Letterman 's private life unless the 62-year-old funnyman ponied up $ 2 million . Watch NOW 's president slam Letteman , CBS » . Letterman made a public apology Monday to his wife , Regina Lasko , who , he said , had been `` horribly hurt by my behavior . '' He said he is trying to repair that relationship . `` Either you 're going to make some progress and get it fixed , or you 're going to fall short and perhaps not get it fixed , so let me tell you folks , I got my work cut out for me , '' Letterman told the audience Monday night . Letterman married Lasko in March , and they have a 5-year-old son together . All the affairs took place before the marriage , Letterman 's production company has said . One of the women who engaged in a sexual relationship with Letterman was identified as Stephanie Birkitt , an assistant to the talk show host and also a former live-in girlfriend of Halderman . Letterman spokesman Tom Keaney said that Birkitt is on a paid leave of absence from the show . NOW said Letterman 's behavior was inappropriate in the workplace , saying all employees should be respected for their talent and skills . `` Recent developments in the David Letterman extortion controversy have raised serious issues about the abuse of power leading to an inappropriate , if not hostile , workplace environment for women and employees , '' NOW said in Tuesday 's statement . Men such as Letterman make decisions on hiring and firing , who gets raises , who advances and who does entry-level tasks , NOW said . `` As 'the boss , ' he is responsible for setting the tone for his entire workplace -- and he did that with sex . In any work environment , this places all employees -- including employees who happen to be women -- in an awkward , confusing and demoralizing situation , '' the group said . `` The National Organization for Women calls on CBS to recognize that Letterman 's behavior creates a toxic environment and to take action immediately to rectify this situation . With just two women on CBS ' board of directors , we 're not holding our breath . '' Those board members are Shari Redstone , vice chairwoman of the board and president of National Amusements Inc. , which operates motion picture screens , and Linda Griego , president and chief executive of Griego Enterprises Inc. , a business management company . CBS airs `` Late Show With David Letterman , '' which Letterman 's company , Worldwide Pants Inc. , produces .
NOW calls David Letterman 's behavior inappropriate in the workplace . Comment: Feminist group urges CBS `` to take action immediately '' CBS producer accused in extortion plot against talk-show host .