Course Outcomes

This sexual harassment course for all employees will:

  • Explain the importance of harassment prevention in the workplace.
  • Outline what sexual harassment is and is not.
  • Describe steps for addressing unwanted advances.
  • Assess how the organization’s current culture contributes to or detracts from a sense of inclusivity and a view that harassment is not okay.

Course Overview

Sexual harassment is serious business. It can create tension in the workplace, reduce productivity, and potentially lead to financial and other kinds of devastation. This course is designed to increase employee understanding of sexual harassment and its prevention. The program also recognizes that in addition to knowledge of the law, preventing harassment is largely dependent on workplace culture, values, and the behaviors that are encouraged or discouraged.

During the workshop, we will define sexual harassment, review federal and state laws governing harassment in the workplace, explain the cost of harassment, and suggest a process for addressing sexual harassment should it occur. Additionally, we will talk about workplace culture and how it impacts what is perceived as acceptable behavior.

While this seminar is appropriate for all employee, for those in management roles, we suggest offering Ouch!: Recognizing and Preventing Sexual Harassment or having those employees with direct reports attend this session along with a truncated version of that course.

Program Objectives

At this program’s conclusion, participants should be able to:

  • Define sexual harassment and its workplace impact.
  • Explain why employers provide harassment prevention training.
  • Recognize a range of terms and vocabulary related to harassment prevention.
  • Review the laws and basic court decisions.
  • Identify what is and what is not sexual harassment.
  • Describe methods for addressing harassment if it happens.
  • Assess their current workplace climate.

The following outline highlights some of the course’s key learning points. As part of your training program, we will modify content as needed to meet your business objectives. Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of the participant materials prior to the session(s).

Workshop Outline

Where We Are: Assessing What Participants Already Know

This down-to-earth workshop opens with three short videos and eight questions. Working in teams, participants will describe their current understanding of harassment, the reasons they believe people harass others, the difference between harassment and attractions, methods for preventing harassment in the workplace, and other information related to harassment prevention. 

Why I Am Here: The Importance of Sexual-Harassment Prevention Training

In this part of the program, we will review federal sexual harassment claims data. Then, we will discuss the answers reported in the pre-training survey and explore the reasons why organizations offer harassment-prevention training. Next, we will examine the common effects harassment can have on those who experience it.

The Rules: Laws and Case History

In this portion of the workshop, participants will take part in a matching activity where they will pair a term with its definition. Once paired up, we will review the terms and why employees should understand what each means. Following that activity, we will review the federal and state laws governing harassment along with several landmark cases. In this segment, we will also discuss appropriate workplace behavior. From jokes to innuendos, after this part of the program, participants should have a clear idea of what is and is not allowed.

Is It or Isn’t It?: Case Studies

In this part of the program, participants will test their understanding of concepts introduced earlier in the course. Working in table teams, the group will determine whether certain actions meet the definition of sexual harassment. To solidify their knowledge, next, the teams will take part in a sorting exercise where they will consider a range of activities and whether they constitute sexual harassment. Following that activity, we will discuss “hostile work environment” (first introduced in the matching exercise) and how that concept factors into harassment prevention.

It Happened: Now What?

This course component looks at actions victims or observers can take to address harassment after it occurs. Working through several case studies, participants will discuss the facts presented and determine an appropriate course of action. Upon request, in this part of the seminar, we will incorporate the organization’s reporting process in addition to common practices.

Where Do You Want to Work?: Identifying Values

An organization that wants to avoid occurrences of harassment should strive to create a culture that is inclusive and intolerant of behaviors that promote discrimination or harassment of any sort. In this final part of the program, participants will take part in a workplace values exercise where employees will identify the way they want to live their hours at the office. Next, the participants will pinpoint any gaps between the desired and present state. Then, they will highlight actions that could bring those two pictures into alignment.

At this program’s conclusion, participants should understand the importance of a workplace free from sexual harassment and the steps they can take to contribute to that type of environment. They will also know what the process is for addressing harassment should it occur.