In modern societies, sanctions are used to suppress any aggression against employees. Harassment is not just a physical act, but any moral abuse, oppression, and similar behavior in the workplace can be called that name.
A special form of psychological abuse in the workplace is sexual harassment. Both men and women experience it, although it is more common in women, especially the younger ones. The number of those who report such behavior is small. Victims are upset, scared, or threatened to act, which gives the abuser the opportunity to continue harassing.
The goal of sexual harassment training in CT is to raise awareness of what sexual harassment is. That will contribute to the fight against this type of violence. The employer’s responsibility is to properly educate its staff, provide a secure workplace, and match work policy with the law.
Creating a Positive and Safe Working Environment
The first goal of having regular employees’ training about inappropriate sexual behavior is to prevent it. Most companies know that their employees talk about private stuff in the workplace. But some of them are way too comfortable so that they can say some sexually offensive and inappropriate comments to colleagues.
Such talks can create problems among colleagues as they cross the line of professional conduct in the workplace. That can further affect the business itself. To avoid this, employers need to understand employees’ problems and needs and meet them accordingly.
Promoting Understanding
Another reason why companies should organize sexual harassment training is to promote understanding. In a healthy work environment, everyone is supposed to feel safe and welcome. People usually tend to know each other well, so the risk of deviant behavior is minimal.
Mutual understanding is not only beneficial for the company as a whole; it is also good for each employee. The company and its success depend on the staff performance. If they retreat because they suffer, eventually, that will lower their productivity.
For instance, good managers would advise employees on how to deal with a sexual harassment situation better. They should also understand what triggers harassers to act that way and how they, as their supervisors, can prevent that.
On the next page, check out the list of soft skills required for managers:
https://www.businessinsider.com/soft-skills-leaders-need-for-success-2016-4
Establishing Clear Harassment Policy
Companies should take advantage of harassment training to create a policy that will protect everyone working there. They should make it clear to employees what to do if they experience any inconvenience in the workplace. When the report and the following procedure are clear and transparent, people would rather decide to act.
Good employers never leave their employees to figure out the boundaries on their own. They train them on what to do in different situations that might lead to experiencing inconvenience. Moreover, that would also give people a sense of security as well as enhance their job performance.
Companies have to understand that positive support and praise are sometimes more effective than punishments. But they must use a harassment policy to warn their staff about possible consequences if they misbehave.
No Risk of Legal Consequences
One of the first most significant reasons why companies organize sexual harassment training is to prevent lawsuits. If they do not have to do that and have a well-established policy about any type of workplace maltreatment, companies risk legal issues.
Even if they did not engage in any criminal behavior, employers could be guilty if something happened in their company. And going to court is a more expensive endeavor than training or seminar for employees.
Preserving Reputation
Employers must understand that sexual harassment can create a negative image that lasts. When employees feel like they cannot trust their supervisors and colleagues, it can affect their performance. A good manager should know how to address these issues and prevent possible consequences for a victim.
Companies should encourage employees to become proactive when it comes to reporting harassment. They should also provide moral and legal support for victims. That will create an image of a responsible employer in public. They could use more information on combating any maltreatment inside their rooms.
Every organization that has more than a few employees is at risk that some of them could act in a bad way. No one can anticipate that behavior, but employers must work on staff education. On training, employees learn to recognize inappropriate behavior, what is not acceptable in professional relations, and how to act when threatened.