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Workplace Harassment

Workplace Harassment. What Supervisors Need to Know. Session Objectives. You will be able to: Understand the requirements of the law and company policy Identify incidents of workplace harassment Handle complaints and participate in investigations effectively

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Workplace Harassment

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  1. Workplace Harassment What Supervisors Need to Know

  2. Session Objectives • You will be able to: • Understand the requirements of the law and company policy • Identify incidents of workplace harassment • Handle complaints and participate in investigations effectively • Take appropriate corrective action against incidents of harassment in your department

  3. What You Need to Know • What harassment is and why it is a problem • Company policy against harassment • Procedures for dealing with harassment • How to investigate incidents and determine whether harassment has occurred • Proper action to stop harassment and correct its effects

  4. Why You Should Be Concerned • Workplace harassment is a serious problem • Complaints are rising • Harassment takes many forms

  5. What Is Harassment? • Harassment is unwelcome behavior directed at a member of a protected group • Harassment usually involves a pattern of behavior • Harassment is a form of illegal discrimination

  6. What Is Harassment? (cont.) • Harassment is often blatant • Harassment can also be subtle • Behavior short of illegal discrimination

  7. What Harassment Is Not • Occasional teasing • Offhand comments • Isolated incidents that are not extremely serious

  8. When Is It Harassment? • One extremely serious incident • Intimidating, hostile, offensive environment

  9. When Is It Harassment? (cont.) • Unreasonable interference with work performance • Negative affect on an individual’s employment opportunities

  10. Employer Liability • Preventing liability • Conduct of supervisors and managers

  11. Employer Liability (cont.) • Conduct of co-workers • Conduct of nonemployees

  12. Harassment Policy • Familiarize yourself with the policy • Explain the policy to employees

  13. Harassment Policy (cont.) • Enforce the policy strictly • Review the policy periodically and following any incidents

  14. Harassment in the Workplace • Do you understand the information in the previous slides?

  15. Verbal Harassment • Threats • Intimidation • Offensive language, slurs, or derogatory comments • Graffiti • Jokes • Circulating insulting stories or rumors about a person

  16. Nonverbal Harassment • Staring • Standing over someone in an intimidating manner • Displaying or circulating offensive pictures, cartoons, or objects • Singling out members of protected groups for unfavorable treatment

  17. Handling Employee Complaints • Encourage reporting • Never ignore a complaint • Report complaints to your boss/and or designated person • Understand that employees are allowed to bypass the normal chain of command

  18. Handling Employee Complaints (cont.) • Strike a balance between the need for confidentiality and the need to investigate • Protect everyone’s rights

  19. Dealing with Minor Incidents • Determine the exact nature of the incident • Counsel the alleged harasser informally • Reassure the victim • Monitor the situation carefully

  20. Participating in an Investigation • Is an investigation necessary? • How long will it take? • What intermediate measures may be necessary? • How should the investigation be conducted?

  21. Questions During The Investigation • Questions to ask the person making the complaint

  22. Questions During The Investigation (cont.) • Questions to ask the alleged harasser • Questions to ask witnesses

  23. Assessing Credibility • Plausibility • Demeanor • Motive to falsify • Corroboration • Past record

  24. Has Harassment Occurred? • Making a determination • When no determination is possible • Filing a report • Informing the parties

  25. Taking Corrective Action • Consult your manager before taking action • Implement effective remedial measures • Balance competing concerns

  26. Taking Corrective Action (cont.) • Make certain the victim is not adversely affected • Stop the harassment and ensure that it does not recur

  27. Taking Corrective Action (cont.) • Correct the effects of the harassment • Follow up to make sure the problem is solved

  28. Your Role in Dealing with Harassment • Do you understand the information presented in the previous slides?

  29. Diversity—Challenge and Opportunity • Recognize that the problem is likely to grow • Understand that harassment interferes with good work relationships • Encourage employees to recognize the benefits of diversity • Promote a fair and diverse workplace

  30. Key Points to Remember • Illegal harassment is unwelcome behavior directed at a person because of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, or sex • No rude, insensitive, or abusive behavior should ever be tolerated • You play a critical role in identifying harassment, investigating incidents, taking corrective action, and enforcing company policy.

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