Sexual harassment is a serious issue that should not be ignored by an employer regardless of how large or small the company is. Those who feel as if they have been sexually harassed at work could take legal action and win compensation. Furthermore, it is possible that an employee will tell others to avoid working for the company or otherwise doing business with it.
Institute a Training Program for All New Employees
According to Clear Law Institute, “The first step toward creating a working environment free from harassment is to show right away that the company will not tolerate it. Sexual harassment training should be provided upon orientation and it should be featured prominently in the employee handbook. Clear penalties for violating the sexual harassment policy should be outlined and acted upon if there are any violations.” This will instill confidence in the ability of everyone feel safe while at work and do their job to the best of their ability as soon as they are hired.
Ongoing Training Should Be Provided as Necessary
Training should be provided on a regular basis to ensure that employees do not forget how seriously the company takes sexual harassment or other allegations of abuse. Guest speakers, workshops and online classes can help reinforce the culture that a company is trying to establish in the workplace. Training sessions should be run by both males and females to get across the idea that sexual harassment applies to workers of both sexes and can impact them equally.
Teach Employees What Sexual Harassment Entails Within the Workplace
In most cases, sexual harassment is perpetrated by management over subordinate employees. However, this doesn’t mean that employees who are on the same level on the job can’t be engaging in sexual harassment. Furthermore, employees may be engaging in harassment even if they don’t recognize it. Something as simple as making a joke, staring too long at another worker or spreading rumors about a colleague can be construed as harassment. Knowing what harassment is may make it easier for an employee to speak up and report cases when they are taken advantage of by others.
Create a Culture of Tolerance From Top to Bottom
When employees learn how serious sexual harassment is and how damaging it can be to employee morale or productivity, it creates a culture of tolerance. In other words, employees won’t blackball others or shame them into not reporting instances of harassment. Instead, everyone will be watching out for harassment and even reporting incidents that a worker may not have been involved with personally.
A good training program will educate employees as to their rights when they have been harassed and what is legally protected speech in the workplace. When employees know that they cannot be retaliated against for making a valid claim, they will be more likely to tell others what has happened to them. More often than not, a supervisor will want to take action against those who harass others and make the company look bad.
No employer can avoid teaching employees about sexual harassment. If they do not, they expose themselves to lawsuits and creating a reputation as a company to avoid. Proper and continual education of employees can lead to a culture of tolerance and respect for all that can help a company grow and prosper in the long-term.
