Prevent Workplace Harassment
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), approximately 60% of women experience some form of unwanted sexual attention in the workplace. This shocking statistic is eclipsed by the fact that 70% of all victims never even complain internally, let alone legally. Many of those who hold back from speaking up are men, for fear of ridicule for not just “dealing with” the harassment. A lack of policies and solid understanding has enabled such issues. The victim may not have a clear understanding of the proper procedure for handling workplace harassment, or the harasser may not grasp the seriousness of consequences for his or her behavior.
The #1 way to resolve the issue is through prevention training. Workplace harassment prevention and response training have been a legal requirement for over 10 years. At the end of the training session, your employees should be able to:
- Recognize sexual harassment when it happens
- Understand their responsibilities as a victim or a witness
- Explain the organization’s procedure for handling the matter, as well as what consequences ensue
But don’t just show a training video and call it a day. Ensure your team members feel comfortable to report anything that happens. Appeal to a variety of personalities by providing multiple avenues for reporting, including the option of reporting anonymously. Make sure your team members know they will not be retaliated against for speaking up.
Organizations should have a system in place to document employee completion. But training does not have to be a massive investment of your time. By utilizing a Learning Management System (LMS), you can efficiently deliver, track, and certify training within your organization. Visit forgelms.com for a free demo.
