Sexual harassment training has become a high priority for HR practitioners and their organizations. Amplified by the #MeToo movement, there is a growing demand to replace the old model, which focused on teaching employees laws and rules, with a fresh approach that emphasizes what matters most – ensuring employees know how to make the right decisions and take the right actions if they experience or witness sexual harassment or other misconduct.

As never before, anti-harassment training is essential for educating employees on what is acceptable and unacceptable workplace behavior, and reinforcing the message that it is every individual’s responsibility to speak up and report incidents of harassment and retaliation.

Training employees on how to recognize and respond to situations that can lead to sexual harassment – from the obvious to the subtle – is one of the most effective ways to foster a positive, respectful workplace. Training can also help organizations avoid costly harassment complaints that can damage their reputation, recruiting, retention and bottom line.

The Preventing Discrimination and Harassment course is available in these versions:

NY Employees (35 min)
Covering New York City & New York State
NY Managers (60 min)
The course is comprised of bite-sized episodes presented in a Netflix-style news format. Episodes feature interactive videos that challenge employees to decide on the best approach to difficult, realistic work situations.

The scenario in the Sexual Harassment episode dramatizes a typical encounter between a manager and a junior associate. When the manager’s comments turn personal, employees experience how quickly situations can shift into unacceptable territory.

The Sexual Harassment episode also illustrates the different types of behavior that can constitute sexual harassment, such as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. Employees learn about sexual harassment outside the workplace, consensual relationships and how to identify a “hostile work environment” and “quid pro quo,” as defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Sensitivity Training is designed to make individuals aware of their behavior toward others, who are different in race, color, gender, religion, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and other categories protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Sensitivity training also raises awareness of other characteristics that employees may encounter in their daily interactions, such as individuals with different experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and communication styles.

As HR and Diversity practitioners know all too well, the idea of treating everyone with respect and fairness may sound simple, but often individuals fall back on stereotypes, assumptions and unconscious bias when making decisions about people. If left unchecked, these negative attitudes and behaviors can turn a safe, productive workplace into a toxic environment that can lead to costly discrimination and harassment claims.

Raising awareness among employees and managers about the benefits of respect, civility and inclusion is an important step in creating a workplace free of discrimination and harassment.

The course encourages employees and managers to recognize the contributions and perspectives of others, rather than base decisions on stereotypes. Learners explore conduct that is specifically prohibited by law, such as racial or disability discrimination, as well as conduct considered abusive and bullying. Such attitudes and behaviors can undermine individuals’ ability to do their best work and negatively impact productivity, morale and recruiting and retention.

Providing employees with sensitivity training is an essential part of La Vie’s comprehensive Preventing Discrimination and Harassment course, which is available in three versions for:

NY Employees (35 min)
NY Managers (60 min)