What is Involved in Sexual Harassment Training in the Workplace
Recently, a Queens, New York jury awarded $15 million to a nurse who was allegedly sexually harassed by a physician. Not only does sexual harassment contaminate the work environment, it costs businesses a fortune. Sexual harassment training and assessment course is more than just a government requirement. It’s insurance prevention against a lawsuit. While training requirements vary according to state and every company’s training is different, let’s look at what is involved in sexual harassment training typically.
California Law AB 1825One of the most far reaching in the nation, California’s sexual harassment law requires companies of 50 or more employees to provide sexual harassment training to all supervisors. This includes full time, part time and contracting workers. This law went into effect in 2005. California requires that training be a minimum of 2 hours and include interactive methods. Online or web based courses may qualify if they meet certain criteria, but live training is recommended.
Sexual harassment training will be most natural and effective if it is face to face. Appropriate and Inappropriate BehaviorsSexual harassment training programs typically focus on clearly outlining appropriate and inappropriate behaviors. Most people assume they know what stands as sexual harassment, but usually have only a vague idea they’ve learned watching television. As employees become more aware of what is appropriate or inappropriate, they’ll not only be able to spot and avoid it in their own relations, but know when they’ve been victims themselves. Clear Definitions of Sexual HarassmentMost programs also clearly break down the various type of sexual harassment behaviors by definition. A cert iv training is needed to handle a training on this issue.
Far more than just an outline of company policy, sexual harassment training clearly stipulates what constitutes the behavior and what employees should watch out for. The face of sexual harassment has changed. This past year alone, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigated over 13,500 sexual harassment complaints, more than 15% of which were filed by men. As women become more present in the workplace, especially in high management positions, the gender roles of sexual harassment switch. Yet the need for training has never been greater, as companies can easily spend hundreds of thousands of dollars litigating such a case.For more help with providing training as part of a risk management effort, consider using EMT training online or purchasing software to provide your employees with the training they are required by law to have.