How to Conduct Sexual Harassment Training

It is in a company's best interests to conduct sexual harassment training for all employees and members of management at least once a year. A single sexual harassment complaint can result in a lawsuit that can financially cripple or destroy a business. Overall productivity and employee morale can be affected as well.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Company policy on sexual harassment in writing

1. Develop a clear and concise company policy toward sexual harassment, and put it in writing. A sexual harassment policy handbook should be created so that each employee can read it and sign off, saying that they understand the information. This handbook should be part of any new hire paperwork as well.
2. Train all of your supervisors and managers on the company policy toward sexual harassment separately, and before you present the information to the other employees. Let your management team know that they are responsible for preventing sexual harassment and for properly handling all sexual harassment claims and complaints.
3. Hold a company meeting so that you can conduct your training on sexual harassment. Explain to your employees what sexual harassment is, and what forms it can take in the workplace. Remember that most incidents of sexual harassment occur because of ignorance and that the majority of people who are accused of sexual harassment fail to understand what they have done wrong.
4. Be absolutely clear about the consequences of sexual harassment when you conduct your training. Your employees need to know that sexual harassment is punishable by termination of employment, and that both civil lawsuits and criminal charges may be a result. Let them know that the penalties for sexual harassment will be applied equally and without exception, including members of management.
5. Stress the effects of sexual harassment in the workplace and just how destructive it can be to a business. Illustrate how sexual harassment can destroy the morale of employees, resulting in lower productivity. Explain how a single lawsuit can ruin a business, especially if sexual harassment complaints are not handled properly.
6. Conduct training on sexual harassment for all of your employees at least once a year and have them sign off on your company's policy. Studies have shown that it is relatively easy for an employee to forget some of the training information, especially if inappropriate behavior in the workplace is reinforced by peers.

Tips & Warnings

• Use bulletin board postings and memos to remind your employees of the company's policy toward sexual harassment throughout the year.