Sexual Harassment Training: A Prevention Guide for Employees

Introduction

Sexual harassment is an unfortunate and pervasive issue that impacts workplaces across industries. It is a form of illegal discrimination that creates a hostile environment and adversely affects victims. While blatant acts like sexual assault or demanding sexual favors for job benefits are clearly harassment, even subtle unwanted behaviors can constitute harassment when they are pervasive. As an employee, it is critical that you understand what sexual harassment is, how to identify it, steps you can take to prevent it, and what to do if you experience or witness harassment. With knowledge, vigilance and speaking up, we can work together to stamp out this unethical behavior and create more respectful and professional workplaces.

What Constitutes Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment encompasses a range of unwelcome verbal, visual or physical behaviors of a sexual nature that create a hostile, intimidating or offensive work environment or impact a person’s employment. This can include:

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, inappropriate touching, displaying explicit images, making offensive comments or jokes, etc.
Threatening a person’s employment status or opportunities if they do not consent to sexual acts or advances.
Basing employment decisions like hiring, firing, promotions, performance reviews, etc. on an employee’s willingness to engage in sexual behaviors.
Creating an overall intimidating, hostile or offensive workplace through severe, pervasive and persistent unwelcome sexual behaviors.

While isolated or minor instances may not constitute harassment, a pattern of repeated unwelcome behaviors can create a harassing environment over time. The full context and impact matters. Even well-intentioned behaviors can be harassing if they make the recipient uncomfortable and continue after that discomfort is made clear.

Effects of Sexual Harassment

Being subjected to sexual harassment can have devastating emotional, psychological and professional impacts on victims. It can lead to:

Humiliation, anger, anxiety, depression, stress and other mental health issues
Decreased productivity and performance
Less opportunities for career growth
Feeling devalued, disempowered and discouraged
Increased absenteeism and desire to leave the company

This creates not just a serious ethical issue, but also a detrimental productivity and retention issue for organizations. Fostering a respectful workplace where employees feel safe, empowered and focused is critical for organizational success.

Bystanding and Reporting

If you witness potential instances of sexual harassment, do not ignore it – speaking up can help prevent further issues. Inform the harasser that you find their behavior unacceptable if you feel comfortable. Report incidents to HR or management even if you are not the direct victim. This helps the company address problems early before they escalate.

If you experience potential sexual harassment personally, report it to the appropriate channels within your organization. Do not stay silent out of fear. Keep records with specifics like dates, times, witnesses and details of what occurred. Though uncomfortable, reporting harassment is necessary to protect yourself and others. Investigations will be as confidential as possible. You will not face retaliation for making a good faith report.

Preventing Sexual Harassment as an Employee

While the onus is on companies to create harassment-free workplaces, employees play a key role as well. You can help prevent issues by:

Completing all required harassment training to understand expectations, policies and procedures.
Maintaining professionalism in your communications and conduct with colleagues. Do not engage in behaviors you know or suspect might offend others.
Being aware of how your behaviors and speech could be perceived. Err on the side of caution in questionable situations.
Speaking up respectfully if a colleague exhibits concerning conduct, before it becomes a pattern. Listen if a coworker informs you that you have offended them.
Avoiding unnecessary physical contact and remarks about appearance/attire. Stick to job-related conversations.
Reporting any offenses through proper channels instead of ignoring them. Follow up if the issue persists.
Participating earnestly and honestly in investigations of harassment claims. Answer questions accurately.
Remembering that while you judge your own intent, others judge based on how your actions impact them. Tread carefully.
Upholding confidentiality if you participate in a harassment investigation. Do not share case details.

Our individual choices and actions contribute to our shared organizational culture. We all gain when that culture is founded on mutual respect and professionalism.

Romantic Relationships at Work

Many companies discourage or forbid employees dating colleagues or those they manage. This helps avoid conflicts of interest or abuses of power in romantic relationships. Even consensual relationships can later lead to accusations of coercion if one person feels exploited. Those in positions of power have a particular responsibility. If you do pursue a relationship with a colleague, maintain strict professionalism at work. Do not let it impact others or your performance. Disclose it to HR if required.

A Note on Confidentiality

Be aware that most work devices, communications and locations still belong to the employer. Internal networks, corporate emails, chat programs, desks and even closed doors do not guarantee privacy. Assume colleagues can hear or see workplace interactions. Be thoughtful in all communications. Do not visit inappropriate external sites. Personal devices also pose confidentiality risks when used for work.

Conclusion

Sexual harassment diminishes people and workplaces. But together, we can prevent it through knowledge, care, courage and responsibility. Know the policies, think before acting, speak up against offenses, maintain professionalism always and report harassment properly. With commitment from both employees and employers, we can champion workplaces where every person feels respected, empowered and safe to do their best work. That culture benefits us all.

Eliminating sexual harassment requires commitment and effort from all. But companies cannot do it alone. Equipping employees with understanding of harassment issues is key. That is why our “Preventing Sexual Harassment…for Employees” training products provide the information workers need to recognize inappropriate behaviors and respond appropriately. With versions in both English and Spanish, the online courses, DVDs and CDs cover critical topics like defining sexual harassment, following company policies, addressing offensive conduct, reporting incidents properly and more. Over 10,000 harassment complaints are still filed annually, so ongoing training is crucial. Empower your workforce with the knowledge to create positive, respectful workplaces free of harassment. Click below for our detailed course outline, curriculum and products that can help your organization.