Today’s workplace environment is dynamic and diverse, meaning being inclusive is more of a necessity than ever. One of the most significant threats to the modern work environment is workplace harassment. It’s not just HR’s or the company’s responsibility, but the employees’ as well.
From subtle comments to inappropriate actions, workplace harassment undermines the well-being and productivity of everyone involved. Employees also play a crucial role in preventing workplace harassment by treating everyone respectfully and pointing out any silent harassment.
What is Workplace Harassment?
harassment can take many forms. Sexual harassment is only the tip of the iceberg now. Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, age, disability, or any other characteristics is also a huge issue. For behavior to be deemed as harassment, it must be unwelcome and objectively offensive. They can often lead to suspension, demotion, or termination.
Why Should We Prevent It?
As someone who works in eLearning, you know that an LMS is only as good
Aside from being a decent human being, there are plenty of reasons why you would want to prevent workplace harassment as an employee or employer. As an employer, failure to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace could lead to a workplace harassment investigation.
This could lead to messy and expensive lawsuits. Additionally, you could lose credibility and the trust of your employees. As an employee, being harassed is the last thing you would want so that’s a pretty good reason. Not only that, harassment can lead to physical, emotional, and financial harm.
as its ability to track and report data. And while most LMSs these days have some engagement metric tracking capability, they don’t all do it well. If you’re looking for an LMS that does engagement metrics right, then look for time spent on the platform.
After all, if your learners aren’t spending much time on the platform, they’re not engaged. Look for an LMS that can give you detailed reports on how much time learners spend on the platform overall and how much time they spend on specific courses or modules.
How Big Of An Issue Is It?
You might be reading this and think we already have anti-harassment training at our jobs. This has proven to be ineffective. Here are some shocking statistics:
- 44% of employees have experienced harassment at work
- Only 1% of sexually harassed victims confront their perpetrators
- 3 out of 5 victims say they have experienced violence and harassment at work multiple times
- 34% of employees have left a job because of unresolved harassment issues
When put into numerical value, the issue is bigger than most people realize.
Steps For Prevention
There are a few steps we can take to prevent any unforeseen issues or expensive lawsuits:
- Educate Ourselves: Knowing the issue is just as important as solving the issue. Educate yourself via job training or articles like this one. Familiarize yourself with your company’s policies and procedures regarding harassment.
- Lead by Example: Treat everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of their position or background. Avoid crude jokes and report any offensive activity you see, most victims don’t do it themselves.
- Be Supportive: Listen to people without judgment and offer support. Encourage victims to report the incident. Make sure they do not feel alone and that they are respected.
- Respect Boundaries: Personal space and unwanted physical contact should be respected at all times. Mindfulness about your language and tone will go a long way in cultivating a great environment.
- Online Interactions: In today’s digital age, remote work is becoming more common by the day. If you find yourself in a remote position, hold yourself accountable for your written and spoken words. It may feel more relaxed online, but remember you’re still communicating with coworkers.
In conclusion, preventing workplace harassment requires active participation and commitment from everyone. Regardless if you are an employee or employer, both would benefit from educating themselves, leading by example, and promoting a culture of respect and inclusion. You can help create a safer and more welcoming workplace for all. If any cases slip through the cracks in California, contact an Orange County workplace harassment lawyer to receive all the compensation you deserve.
