HR Management & Compliance

Managers’ Myths about Sexual Harassment


Seems like managers would have gotten the message about sexual harassment, but many are still confused. Here are the facts about some of the most prevalent myths, taken from BLR’s Total Training Resource: Sexual Harassment.


Myth–Harassment is something supervisors do to subordinates.


Fact–Any employee can commit sexual harassment, including supervisors, subordinates to supervisors, and co-workers.  Therefore, unlawful sexual harassment can travel up, down, and sideways in any organization.


Myth–Supervisor means only the employee’s direct boss.


Fact–True, a supervisor is generally defined as someone who has immediate or successively higher authority over another employee.  More specifically, however, an individual will be considered to be a supervisor if he or she has the authority to undertake or recommend important employment decisions such as hiring, firing, or transfer, or he or she has the authority to direct the daily activities of another. That definition broadens the number of “supervisors” substantially.




Harassment training – a top priority. But what’s the best approach? BLR’s Total Training Resource: Sexual Harassment offers computer-based training, PowerPoints®, and traditional training all on one CD! Plus regs, train the trainer tips, handouts, and quizzes. Find out more.


Myth–Harassment must be by someone employed by the company.


Fact–Clients or customers of an employer can also commit sexual harassment against your employees.  For example, a restaurant customer can commit an act or repeated acts of sexual harassment against an employer’s waitress.


Myth–Sexual harassment is about men harassing women.


Fact–Although acts of sexual harassment must be grounded in discrimination that is based on sex, the sex of the offender and victim is not controlling.  Therefore, females can commit sexual harassment against males, males can commit sexual harassment against other males, and females can commit sexual harassment against other females.


Myth–Harassment can only be charged by the person harassed, not by witnesses.


Fact–Some courts have held that bystanders, or mere witnesses to unlawful acts of sexual harassment, may also be victims. As a result, an employee who bears witness to sexual harassment that is directed toward another employee may also find protection under the law.


Myth–If the harasser didn’t intend to offend, there’s no harassment.


Fact–Intent doesn’t matter. It’s the reaction of the person who is harassed that counts. “I was just kidding” won’t hold up in court.


Myths and Realities


Sexual harassment just won’t go away. The headlines prove it daily. And experts say that training is the key to preventing those expensive and embarrassing lawsuits.




All-in-one harassment training. Choose powerful, computer-based training, PowerPoint meetings, classroom training, or just reinforcing handouts. All on one CD. Get more information

But training is hard, time-consuming, and expensive. We asked BLR’s editors what they recommend and they came up with an amazing product–one that has traditional training, interactive computer-based training (CBT), and  prewritten PowerPoint® sessions, all on one CD. And it includes copies of all sexual harassment regulations, training tips, plus handouts, forms, policies, and quizzes. You’ll get the right materials for every level of employee sophistication.


The program is Total Training Resource: Sexual Harassment.


Now you can prevent damaging lawsuits and lost productivity by effectively training everyone in your organization on how to prevent and respond to sexual harassment. Total Training Resource: Sexual Harassment gives you expertly developed sexual harassment training meetings on today’s most effective training vehicles. Depending on the employees involved and your particular situation, simply choose from interactive computer-based training (CBT), PowerPoint training meetings, or traditional classroom training – all on one CD.


Customize your training to match the needs of your audience. Whether it’s a handful of new employees, or a large group needing refresher training, you have the type of training method that’s appropriate. It includes special supervisor sessions on conducting investigations, as well as types of harassment and legal background.


This CD saves you time and money, puts all effective training meetings at your fingertips. It includes:


· Self-administered CBT course with quizzes and interactive exercises. Accommodate almost any schedule without interrupting your own.
· Professionally developed full-color PowerPoint and traditional classroom meetings. Huge variety gives you easy and effective classroom training.
· Regulations and statutes. Text of the actual statutes for immediate reference.
· Train the trainer tips and preparation materials. Prepares trainers and puts the facts at their command.
· Handouts, certificates, acknowledgement forms, quizzes. You deliver a first class training meeting without the work.
· Policies, procedures, and administration tools. Heads off lawsuits and compliance problems.

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