Workplace harassment occurs when a person experiences unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or physical or verbal abuse. Harassment is not limited to sexual conduct; it can include derogatory remarks about a person's gender or comments about groups in general. While isolated teasing or incidental comments may not constitute illegal behavior, harassment becomes illegal when it establishes a hostile or offensive work environment.
This workshop teaches participants how to recognize, understand, and respond effectively to sexual harassment in the workplace. The course provides practical tools to help maintain a professional environment that is free from hostility and discomfort for all employees.
Topics Covered:
- Harassment Laws: Legal definitions of sexual harassment and quid pro quo arrangements
- Types of Harassment: Verbal, nonverbal, physical, and psychological forms, including teasing and incidental comments
- Creating a Positive Work Environment: Strategies for maintaining a workplace free from hostility and discomfort
- Reporting Procedures: Appropriate actions when employees witness or experience harassment
- Manager Response: How supervisors can identify and address prohibited conduct
Participant Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Recognize indicators of harassment and implement preventive measures
- Follow appropriate legal and ethical protocols for responding to and reporting harassment
- Identify the correct individuals and departments to notify when incidents occur
- Respond appropriately to situations after they have been reported
This workshop is available in two formats: one designed for management personnel and another tailored for general staff members.
Workplace Harassment Context:
- Eighty percent of Americans believe sexual harassment happens in most workplaces, yet only one in ten believe it occurs in their own organization
- Approximately ninety percent of harassment victims do not file formal complaints or claims
- More than half of women report experiencing unwanted sexual advances; one in three involve a colleague, and one in four involve a supervisor
- More than eighty percent of companies have not implemented efforts to discuss appropriate workplace conduct, conduct training sessions, or modify policies in response to recent social movements
Customized Program Development:
Our team will consult with your organization to review your existing harassment policies and procedures, including those addressing sexual harassment and related workplace claims. We will also examine your organization's cultural norms across locations to ensure our programs align with your specific environment and needs.
The workshop includes interactive activities requiring active participation from all attendees. We will work with your organization to develop documentation that all employees will sign upon program completion.
This course is available for "remote" learning and will be available to anyone with access to an internet device with a microphone (this includes most models of computers, tablets). Classes will take place with a "Live" instructor at the date/times listed below.
Upon registration, the instructor will send along additional information about how to log-on and participate in the class.
