In the #MeToo era, we need to launch a #NotAtMyOrg movement. You need to work intelligently to ensure that sexual harassment doesn’t happen in any workplace; most especially yours.
I could provide a lot of information on the cost of sexual harassment but, frankly, we all know that sexual harassment is a continuing problem in the United States.
Here are 4 things you must know about sexual harassment training in Illinois:
- Suffice it to say that sexual harassment in Illinois (and all other states):
- happens in all sorts of organizations – large and small; family owned and corporate; government, private; and across all industries;
- is never expected;
- is always a very unpleasant surprise;
- really, really hurts people and companies;
- can be prevented.
- Annual sexual harassment training is soon to be required for all Illinois employees (the bill is on Governor Pritzker’s desk at the time of this writing).
- Unless you change something; nothing changes. Honestly, many people still think “I was just kidding” or “I didn’t mean anything by that” are effective defenses – they are not. You decrease your opportunity for problems by helping people truly understand what behavior is not welcome and the impact of unwelcome behavior on them, victims and organizations.
- Good sexual harassment training actually reduces the severity and frequency of sexual harassment concerns. Many people are concerned that if they do training, they will get complaints that are long dormant. I’ve not found this to be the case. I have found that when there is an issue, employers have a chance to fix it before a lot of damage is done and third-party agencies have to get involved.
I have been doing sexual harassment training classes for decades and I’ve seen the difference really good training can make. Good training is not expensive (you’d be positively surprised) and it will save you much, much more money (not to mention time, negative press and stress) than it costs.
I am happy to discuss sexual harassment training with any employer. Please email be at rick@performtogrow.com or call me at 309.664.7741.
Please see our website for more information: www.performtogrow.com
This is Part One of a brief, three-part
series
on Sexual Harassment Prevention.