Sexual harassment can happen anywhere. Harassment can involve unwanted and unwelcome words, deeds, actions, gestures, symbols, or behaviors of a sexual nature that make the target feel uncomfortable. Sexual harassment is not only harmful, it can be costly. A 34-million dollar settlement against a major automaker is just one example of the serious impact sexual harassment has on corporate America. With 40 to 80 percent of women and 10 to 15 percent of men experiencing sexual harassment in their lifetimes, the future is sure to bring more costly settlements. How can businesses prevent or eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace? Litigation is NOT the answer. Harassment prevention through education and training are the best ways to reduce sexual harassment in the workplace.
Sexual harassment training should educate the viewer to recognize inappropriate behavior, communicate the risk to the employee and employer when the behavior is encouraged or ignored, and build the mutual respect all employees should share for one another. The video should be available in an online format, allowing employees the ability to take the training at their own pace, and it should contain tests that will require that employees demonstrate their understanding of the issues.
Sexual harassment in the workplace can have devastating consequences to companies and individuals alike. Highly informative sexual harassment training videos can equip team members to identify and respond to harassment in its many forms. Taking advantage of sexual harassment training online can protect a company from costly legal suits by helping to prevent harassment and build a solid foundation of respect in the workplace.
Even after huge settlements and attention-grabbing headlines, sexual harassment issues continue to be a problem in the workplace. And while some people still behave badly, others may react to minor offenses that don’t qualify as sexual harassment. Either way, unwelcome behavior is bad news for employers and proper sexual harassment training can be a resource to help to address the issue. Other resources include sexual harassment posters that can be displayed in common areas and providing employees’ sexual harassment pamphlets on a regular basis.
