In today's workplace, addressing sexual harassment is crucial not only for compliance but for fostering a safe, respectful, and productive environment. In our webinar on combatting sexual harassment in the workplace, experts Jeanne Bodenstein and Sanja Bornman from Thusa Consulting shared invaluable insights on sensitive and creative responses to sexual harassment. This blog post delves into their key points and explores how PlutoLMS can help organisations implement these best practices.
Sexual violence is a broad term that encompasses a range of behaviours, including sexual harassment. According to the new Consolidated Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, whether direct or indirect, that the perpetrator knows or ought to know is not welcome.
To determine whether sexual harassment has occurred, the code outlines several factors:
Sexual harassment in the workplace can take various forms, including:
Sexual harassment is unique because it infringes on the privacy, dignity, and bodily integrity of the victim. It also poses significant risks to the employer, including potential litigation, reputational harm, and decreased productivity.
Addressing sexual harassment effectively involves empowering the victim through these key principles:
Ensuring both physical and psychological safety is crucial. Victims must feel secure to report incidents without fear of retaliation. This principle helps in creating a supportive environment where victims feel protected and validated.
Giving the victim options and information restores their sense of control. By involving them in decision-making processes, victims regain autonomy and confidence. This principle is vital because it shifts the power dynamic back to the victim, helping them feel respected and heard.
Offering continuous support, both internally and through external professionals, is essential. This ensures that victims do not feel isolated and have access to the necessary resources for their recovery and well-being. Continuous support fosters resilience and aids in the healing process.
Jeanne and Sanja highlighted five best practices to manage sexual harassment effectively:
Having clear, accessible, and operational policies ensures that everyone understands what constitutes sexual harassment and the consequences of such behaviour. This practice establishes a firm foundation for a respectful workplace culture and provides a clear framework for addressing complaints.
Providing various channels for reporting harassment, such as hotlines, online forms, and designated personnel, ensures that victims can report incidents in a manner they find comfortable and safe. This increases the likelihood of incidents being reported and addressed promptly.
Conducting ongoing training for all staff, including new hires, is crucial. Training sessions raise awareness, educate employees about acceptable behaviours, and equip them with the skills to respond appropriately. Regular training helps maintain a high level of awareness and reinforces the importance of a harassment-free workplace.
Engaging external experts for investigations and support ensures objectivity and professionalism in handling cases. Experts can provide specialised knowledge and experience, enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of the response. This practice helps build trust in the process and ensures thorough and impartial investigations.
Adapting disciplinary processes to be fair and victim-centred ensures that the responses to harassment are appropriate and just. Flexible systems can accommodate the specifics of each case, ensuring that disciplinary actions are proportionate and supportive of the victim's needs. This practice underscores the organisation's commitment to justice and fairness.
PlutoLMS is a digital platform designed to create, deliver, manage, and track training programmes. PlutoLMS offers several features that enable organisations to centralise training content, ensure accessibility, and track employee progress. This makes our comprehensive solution an integral component of managing all aspects of sexual harassment training and compliance within your organisation.
PlutoLMS allows you to host all policies in one place, ensuring easy access and real-time updates. This centralisation supports the practice of having robust policies and protocols by making them readily available to all employees, ensuring everyone is informed and aligned with the latest guidelines.
PlutoLMS supports customised onboarding paths, including mandatory sexual harassment training. Interactive formats like videos and quizzes make the training engaging and memorable. This feature directly ties into the practice of regular training, ensuring that new employees are well-versed in the organisation's stance on harassment from day one.
Automated reminders and assessments ensure employees complete their annual refresher courses, maintaining continuous awareness and compliance. This feature supports the ongoing training practice, ensuring that knowledge remains fresh and employees are continually reminded of their responsibilities.
By leveraging PlutoLMS, organisations can create a proactive and informed workplace, equipped to handle sexual harassment with sensitivity and effectiveness. Implement these best practices today to foster a safer and more respectful work environment.
If your business needs expert assistance in addressing sexual harassment with sensitivity, creativity, and professionalism, don't hesitate to reach out to Thusa Consulting. Their experienced team can guide you through creating a safe and respectful work environment.
To learn more about how PlutoLMS can support your training and compliance efforts, and to see our platform in action, contact our team today.
Together, we can build a workplace where everyone feels secure and respected.
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