In yesterday’s Advisor, we found “harassment statements we don’t want to hear.” Today, more harassment gems, plus an introduction to a new downloadable anti-harassment essentials kit.
“We have a strict ‘no-dating of coworkers’ policy. That avoids harassment claims for sure.”
Most experts say, “Good luck with that.” It’s next to impossible to prevent co-worker dating. But that doesn’t mean ignore it. Managers should be aware of the potential for harassment, especially if either party has any business power over the other.
Some companies ask employees to reveal relationships so the company can determine whether there is any potential harassment. (Unfortunately, with subordinate dating, there always is the potential, because once a couple breaks up, and then something negative happens to the subordinate, he or she can always claim it was because of the breakup.)
“As long as people don’t complain about my kidding and my pinching, I don’t have to worry.”
It is true that behavior must be unwelcome to be harassment. Unfortunately, in court people who seemed to be accepting or encouraging the behavior may tell the jury that they had to go along it so they could keep their job and feed their young children. That’s not going to end well for the company.
That’s why supervisors and managers need to be trained to be proactive in these situations. If behavior might be making people uncomfortable, better to stop it than to run the risk of a big lawsuit.
“I’ve been seeing one of my salespeople, but we both enjoy it—it’s not a boss thing, it’s a love thing.”
There’s no harassment here assuming both participants do enjoy it. But, again, many relationships come to an end. When they do, if there is ever any negative action taken against the subordinate, the subordinate is likely to cry harassment.
Furthermore, there’s a side issue to contemplate. In this scenario, co-workers will tend to believe that the subordinate in a relationship with the boss is getting special treatment.
Headlines (and court judgments) tell the story—anti-harassment programs are critical. Solution? Check out BLR’s new Sexual Harassment Essentials Kit. Instantly downloadable. Go here for details.
“Only supervisors can harass.”
Generally, only supervisors or other high-ranking managers engage in tangible employment action harassment, but any co-worker can create a hostile environment.
“Our receptionist is attractive, and the delivery people tend to tease a little, well, a lot, but they’re not employees, so there’s nothing I can do about them.”
If you allow a hostile environment to continue, even if created by an outsider, you are condoning harassment, and that is not going to play well in court.
Management must take action, talking to the outsiders, and if necessary, to their management, requesting that they be reassigned.
Harassment a major hassle? It is for most companies. You need to research the law, generate legally correct policies, write training materials, follow complex procedures for complaints, investigate thoroughly, but not too thoroughly, and fully document every step of the way.
Just gathering the resources for your program could take days. Until now, that is. Introducing BLR’s Sexual Harassment Essentials Kit. It’s all you need to create and implement a program, in one instantly available, remarkably affordable, download package, with satisfaction guaranteed. Look at all the essentials included in this kit:
- National Compliance Analysis
- State-by-state Compliance Analysis
- 4 Sample Sexual Harassment Policies
- Sample Harassment Complaint Form
- 2 Sexual Harassment Checklists
- 2 Sets of Powerpoint Presentation Slides with leader’s Notes (one for employees and one for supervisors)
- Quizzes for each Powerpoint
- Training Exercises for each Powerpoint
- Handouts for each Powerpoint
Harassment happening in your company as you read this? Could be. Get your anti-harassment program going with BLR’s new Sexual Harassment Essentials Kit. Instantly downloadable. Get more details here.
This program was created by the same expert staff as all our award-winning programs, even though Essentials Kits are among our most affordable offerings. Our essentials kits are:
- Written in the Plain-English, non-legalese style that has won us multiple awards… and thousands of satisfied customers.
- Packed with BLR’s renowned prewritten policies, forms, checklists, and related documents, already reviewed for legality. Just fill in the specifics.
- Instantly downloadable in PDF format! No shipping cost or wait for delivery.
- Backed by BLR’s guarantee of satisfaction.
Go here to order or get more information about the Sexual Harassment Essentials Kit Download.
Harassment is one of those areas where the official policy often varies wildly from actual practice at the organization – with litigious results.