Harassment in the workplace has become increasingly common, and employers need to make sure the working environment is free from such behavior. To ensure this, courses on the subject can be a great way to educate employees on what constitutes harassment and how to handle it if they experience or witness it.
This article will detail some of the things that you should know about harassment as an employer and employee while thinking about harassment training to educate all staff members. This is whether they are new to an organization or just need a refresher in terms of what is expected of them.
So, let’s learn more.
What Constitutes Workplace Harassment?
Harassment in the workplace, or anywhere else, involves any unwelcome or offensive behavior that is directed at someone based on a protected status such as race, religion, sex, disability, national origin, or age.
This kind of behavior may include physical contact, verbal or written abuse, and threats of violence. Examples include making offensive jokes about someone’s gender or ethnicity, creating an intimidating workplace environment, and sending inappropriate emails or text messages.
The first thing is to recognize what is meant by harassment so that everyone is clear on what is unacceptable in the workplace. Even if something is said in jest, it can still be misinterpreted as a serious slur on their character from the recipient and so become a very hurtful comment.
This can have a psychological impact on that person, their performance, and their well-being as an employee. Furthermore, it could also have a significant impact on their personal life too.
What Can Employers Do?
Employers should take harassment or workplace bullying seriously, as it can lead to decreased job satisfaction and performance, increased absenteeism, and even legal action.
To protect their employees from workplace harassment, employers should:
- Have a written policy that outlines what behavior is unacceptable in the workplace.
- Provide anti-harassment training to employees.
- Establish a complaint system for employees who feel they have been harassed.
- Investigate any reports of workplace harassment and take appropriate disciplinary action if necessary.
Courses on Recognizing Harassment in the Workplace
Employers need to understand workplace harassment and recognize it when it occurs. Courses on workplace harassment can help them do this, as well as provide employees with the knowledge and skills to identify, prevent, and handle such behavior appropriately.
These courses usually cover topics such as workplace regulations and policies, what constitutes harassment, the legal rights of employees, and how to respond if they experience or witness workplace harassment.
Additionally, employers can use these courses to demonstrate their commitment to providing a safe environment free from any form of discrimination.
It pays to send an employee on a course rather than have them not understand what is acceptable during the hours of employment or in the company of colleagues. Although much of it is set out in the contract of employment, not all possible circumstances can be covered.
You might think that knowing how to avoid harassment is just common sense but many employees are getting caught out by it. If you do not know the other person that well, then you should be particularly careful not to do anything that could hurt their feelings.
It is safer just to play by the rules and not leave yourself open by behaving in a way that can so easily be misinterpreted. There is a fine line between having fun and ending up in deep water with your employer and all those around you.
Conclusion
By implementing workplace harassment courses, employers can create an effective culture, reduce workplace harassment and discrimination, and protect their employees from any negative consequences of such behavior.
With the right approach, employers can create an environment where everyone is respected for who they are and free to work in peace and comfort.
