It is the employer’s responsibility to keep the workplace free from acts of sexual harassment. Not only is it good for business, it is also a legal obligation. Otherwise, your business may go on a downward spiral—lack of productivity, hostile working environment, low employee morale, and emergence of lawsuits.
Sexual harassment in the workplace is a form of gender discrimination and is punishable by federal and state employment laws. In fact, the chief federal law, the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibits employers from committing sexual advances towards their employees.
To avoid incidents of sexual discrimination in the workplace, it is important for employers to devise strategic ways. All of the superiors within the company must converge to come up with ways that will not only benefit themselves and their employees, but will also enhance their business venture. Here are some ways in which sexual discrimination can be prevented in the workplace:
· Create a sexual harassment policy for the company based on federal and state laws. Every company has its own employee handbook that basically lists down the dos and don’ts inside the company as well as the rights of employees. When starting a company, the employer must consider making a sexual harassment policy that:
· Provides an extensive definition of sexual harassment
· States that the employer does not tolerate sexual harassment
· States that the employer can render disciplinary measures to those who engage in sexual harassment
· Provides a step-by-step process in filing sexual harassment complaints
· States that the sexually harassed employee can be guaranteed of a thorough investigation of the complaint
· States that the employer won’t retaliate against a sexual harassment complainant
· Train employees, supervisors, and managers. Training sessions can be conducted by the employers for their employees. Separate training sessions can also be conducted for immediate superiors of the employees, such as supervisors and managers. These meetings could be done at least once a year. The purpose of these training sessions is to educate employees about sexual harassment and how conduct of the same violates federal and state employment laws.
Sexual harassment in the workplace is a form of gender discrimination and is punishable by federal and state employment laws. In fact, the chief federal law, the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibits employers from committing sexual advances towards their employees.
To avoid incidents of sexual discrimination in the workplace, it is important for employers to devise strategic ways. All of the superiors within the company must converge to come up with ways that will not only benefit themselves and their employees, but will also enhance their business venture. Here are some ways in which sexual discrimination can be prevented in the workplace:
· Create a sexual harassment policy for the company based on federal and state laws. Every company has its own employee handbook that basically lists down the dos and don’ts inside the company as well as the rights of employees. When starting a company, the employer must consider making a sexual harassment policy that:
· Provides an extensive definition of sexual harassment
· States that the employer does not tolerate sexual harassment
· States that the employer can render disciplinary measures to those who engage in sexual harassment
· Provides a step-by-step process in filing sexual harassment complaints
· States that the sexually harassed employee can be guaranteed of a thorough investigation of the complaint
· States that the employer won’t retaliate against a sexual harassment complainant
· Train employees, supervisors, and managers. Training sessions can be conducted by the employers for their employees. Separate training sessions can also be conducted for immediate superiors of the employees, such as supervisors and managers. These meetings could be done at least once a year. The purpose of these training sessions is to educate employees about sexual harassment and how conduct of the same violates federal and state employment laws.