Harassment Prevention Training: Everything You Should Know

Harassment prevention training is a process of teaching employees how to recognize and react to any harassment that happens to affect anyone. The primary purpose of this training is to provide a safe, comfortable workplace.

The primary purpose of harassment training is to provide basic information about what constitutes harassment in the workplace to employees at all levels. The training offers a discussion of the many consequences of harassing behavior and strategies to take to avoid engaging in such illegal behavior.

Offering various types of presentations and instructional sessions to employees at all levels, including harassment prevention training, is one way to achieve that goal. The frequency with which harassment prevention training should be provided to employees is a critical consideration.

Harmful Impacts of Harassment in a Workplace

So, what's the harm in some light teasing and water cooler banter between coworkers? If bullying at school is ignored, it frequently intensifies; likewise any harassment if ignored can lead to a harmful workplace.

• Something may begin as a molehill, but before you know it, it has grown into a mountain, and what began as innocent fun has turned into a prank that embarrasses or damages another's feelings. 

• When the good times turn bad, the resultant atmosphere can produce an unfavorable work environment, resulting in low staff morale, low productivity, and, if word gets out, a dreadful public image, driving consumers and business away.

• Not having a forceful stand on harassment and not being proactive in training employees about harassment can result in costly lawsuits, in addition to an unprofessional workplace. 

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 defines sexual harassment as a civil rights violation. It stipulates that no rude, disrespectful, or abusive behavior of any kind, even if it falls short of unlawful harassment, be accepted by any business with 15 or more employees.

Damages that can happen to a Firm

• Managers and supervisors are crucial in recognizing harassment, investigating instances, taking corrective action, and enforcing business policy.

• If a firm engages in sexual harassment when employing personnel, it can be held legally liable for the behavior of its workers.

Significance of Harassment Prevention Training

Effective training should also emphasize workplace politeness and respect rather than unpleasant behavior. One of the most successful ways of preventing harassment is to instruct bystanders on how to notice and intervene, according to research. Employees are used as a deterrent, which fosters a sense of community in the workplace.

• A wonderful tool

Employee harassment training is more than just providing knowledge to enable employees to seek a harassment complaint or harass others without being charged. It's a wonderful tool that may be utilized to raise awareness of actions that aren't considered professional at work — think corporate etiquette training instead. 

• Employees understand better

How often do you witness employees acting in an unprofessional manner while on the job? Many employees aren't pre-wired to know what is and isn't acceptable in the office, whether it's incorrect business communications and privacy violations or even inappropriate gossiping. They may never know until you train them, which might get you in hot water. Thus, through harassment prevention training, one can understand how to deal with any type of harassment they face.

• Help create a zero tolerance environment

It is less expensive in the long run to conduct harassment training, adopt harassment policies, and establish a zero-tolerance environment than it is to defend yourself against a single harassment claim, whether or not you are found to be at fault. 

Employers can reduce their odds of a lawsuit by creating specific harassment policies and giving and documenting harassment training, which will help prove in court that employees were made aware of the company's attitude on harassment.

Benefits of the Harassment Prevention training in a Workplace

Implementing harassment prevention training helps employees by teaching on how to tackle such kinds of situations. Here are some benefits of conducting training regarding the prevention of harassment.

• Creates a safer work environment

Harassment in the workplace can be a major source of stress, resulting in a drop in productivity and employee happiness. When there is a problem, all employees, not just the victims, can feel uncomfortable and uneasy.

Harassment training spells out exactly what is and isn't acceptable behavior, eliminating any misunderstandings or potential gray areas. This can go a long way toward removing feelings of anxiety and discomfort. People can feel more at ease at work if they are trained in an environment where everyone is equal, engaged, and committed to a common purpose. Employees and leaders who care about their company should always try to enhance it, whether through increased safety, productivity, or culture. All three can be obtained through effective training.

• Strengthens workplace culture 

A firm's culture has the biggest influence on whether it takes actions to prevent harassment or allows it to continue. Because it supports company values, goals, and procedures, effective harassment training can strengthen the workplace. A harmonious, safe, and productive atmosphere can be achieved through training that drives employees to act ethically and respectfully.

Firms that routinely give CBT training for workers of all levels achieve success in reinforcing the company's goals while also exhibiting the relevance of the subject matter. Instead of making harassment training a standard part of onboarding with an occasional refresher, companies that routinely give CBT training for workers of all levels achieve success in reinforcing the company's goals while also exhibiting the relevance of the subject matter. Culture transformation is difficult, but it is feasible when training is prioritized for all employees, from top management to entry-level jobs.

• Empowers employees

Colleagues who attend harassment training regularly are empowered to disclose problems or potential problems to safeguard themselves and other employees, with management backing. People must know and understand what constitutes harassment so that they can recognize it and avoid becoming a victim of it. 

Although some employees may not realize what words or actions are unacceptable, training can help to eliminate this conduct while also motivating other employees to speak out. This is why employees should be thoroughly educated about the reporting mechanism in place, as this will help them feel more at ease at work and give them the confidence to report concerns if they arise. 

• Healthy workplace

By effectively training everyone in a firm to treat others with respect, a better, happier workplace may be established. It's easier to make training a priority when the benefits are emphasized to personnel. Employees will want to participate in training because it is beneficial to them, not because it is mandated.

It is critical to remain vigilant—especially if harassment has become frequent in the workplace. Anti-harassment programs are perfect and always aim to be the best they can be. While a strong training system may not be able to eliminate all incidents of harassment, they can surely teach you the methods to handle any harmful occasion.

Get Impactly offers training programs that organizations need to provide a safer work environment to their employees.