Sexual Harassment Training for Employees: Why and How to Conduct It

05/6, 2024 - Sohini

  1. Introduction

  2. What is sexual harassment training for employees?

  3. Why is sexual harassment training crucial?

  4. What are the objectives of harassment prevention training?

  5. How do you conduct a sexual harassment training program?

  6. Conclusion 

Around 78.2% of women in the United States file sexual harassment changes. Sexual harassment is a crucial educational program in the present-day workplace. This is because there is a huge growth in incidents of harassment, and they occur more frequently than usual. It is an uncomfortable topic to raise for discussion and also a serious concern that needs to be dealt with firmly. Building a healthy work environment is a must, and there are certain practices you must follow to ensure that. Keep reading to learn more about sexual harassment prevention training for employees.

What is sexual harassment training for employees?

Sexual harassment training for employees to educate them on the topic and reduce the offense. Depending on federal and state laws, such compliance programs enable employees to understand sexual harassment and ways. To identify and prevent them. Sexual harassment is punishable as it causes trauma and damages the reputation of organizations. By disrupting the productivity of employees, it incurs legal costs. Hence, sexual harassment prevention training assists businesses to prevent all this, promote safety, foster a culture of mutual respect, and encourage a supportive environment.

Why is sexual harassment training crucial?

Harassment exhibits unwanted physical or verbal behavior at the workplace. Here are some essential reasons why sexual harassment training is crucial:

  1. Empower employees: A sexual harassment training for employees spreads awareness about the issue in the workplace. This empowers employees to take a stand and speak about incidents of harassment.

  2. Feeling of security: Training also conveys that your leadership is investing in their welfare. This makes them feel secure, knowing that they can contribute to the organization without any interruption. This improves professional relationships and boosts employee confidence.

  3. Positive social impact: Employees must understand sexual harassment and its impact on people. This helps extend the lessons learned outside the workplace. Hence, sexual harassment training has a very positive impact on society.

What are the objectives of harassment prevention training?

Training on the prevention of sexual harassment involves the following objectives:

  • Create awareness about sexual harassment.

  • Protect employees from any derogatory behaviors.

  • Prevent legal costs.

  • Create a supportive work environment.

  • Prevent reputational damage.

  • Keep a strict code of conduct in place.

  • Build a safe and supportive work culture.

How to conduct a sexual harassment training program?

Here are some tips or best practices that help develop an effective harassment training program:

  1. Set your training goal: Before you start with the training process, find out what you wish to achieve. Know your objective and analyze the atmosphere in your workplace. Assess the awareness levels of employees and any incidents in the past. Then, you must create a checklist while curating sexual harassment training for employees.

  • Be familiar with workplace sexual harassment.

  • Know the dos and don'ts.

  • Gain awareness of the consequences of violating a prevention policy.

  • Comply with local, state, and federal laws.

  1. Create the scope of training: As sexual harassment is a vast topic, the scope gets broader, which makes it easier for learners. Here are the following topics of harassment, such as:

  • Workplace violence

  • Diversity and sensitivity

  • Model code of conduct

  • Employee discipline

Although it might take more time, such sexual harassment training for employees will have a significant impact on the workplace culture.

  1. Involve your management in training: Involve top management in crucial compliance training, such as sexual harassment which encourages participation. Ensure that your management sees value in your learning and development initiatives.

  2. Provide training to your supervisors: Supervisors must undergo sexual harassment training before the employees. They are in charge of employees and must monitor their behaviors and prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. It is crucial to be aware of the consequences of non-compliance and the damage caused to businesses and employees.

  3. Tailor suit training to suit your organization: Your employees must not feel that you are conducting the program just to comply with the legal requirements. While these regulations are essential, the training must meet the mission, value, and mission of the company.

  4. Decide on the training format: There are methods to deliver sexual harassment training, including live, online, and blended learning. Irrespective of the method you choose, it should be relevant and engaging. You can also use training materials such as videos, documents, PDF files, and presentations.

Conclusion

Train your employees to build an environment free of conflict and harassment. Now that you have learned about sexual harassment, you can include it in your training module to create the right culture in the organization. Enroll with a certified provider online and get sexual harassment prevention training to learn the local laws and ensure a safe working environment.