The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has recently released proposed guidelines on harassment in the workplace—offering essential insights and recommendations to help organizations protect their employees and maintain a safe, inclusive work environment. As an employer, it’s crucial to be informed about these new guidelines and take proactive steps to mitigate potential issues.
The proposed guidelines are open for public comment until November 1st—making this the right time to ensure your training solutions are conducted in accordance with new EEOC recommendations.
Why training matters
The document addresses a wide variety of important topics like expanding protected grounds for harassment and broadening the definitions of disability, age, religion, national origin, race, and color to include stereotype-based harassment. It also puts a key focus on the importance of training all employees.
The EEOC says training can serve as a powerful tool for preventing harassment and safeguarding your organization from being found negligent in response to claims of a hostile work environment. According to the EEOC, training is not only an essential element in the prevention of harassment, but it also plays a pivotal role in demonstrating your commitment to creating a workplace free from harassment.
Comprehensive training for all employees
The EEOC strongly recommends that all employees, without exception, should undergo regular training. This comprehensive approach ensures that every member of your organization understands their rights and responsibilities—fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity. By doing so, you create a workforce that is not only more informed but also better equipped to address and prevent harassment effectively.
Supervisor-specific training
In addition to all-employee training, these new guidelines recommend that managers receive specialized training to equip them with the knowledge and tools to prevent harassment and respond effectively if it occurs. Supervisors are on the front lines when it comes to maintaining a positive workplace environment, and their ability to identify and address issues is critical.
Kantola’s training solution
- Provides guidance on harassment prevention through real-life stories, authentic scenarios, and meaningfully interactive exercises
- Engages learners to understand more nuanced examples of behavior that if left unchecked might rise to the level of harassment
- Outlines information about employees’ rights if they experience, observe, become aware of, or report conduct that they believe may be prohibited
- Provides supervisors and managers with guidance on how to prevent, identify, stop, report, and respond to harassment
- Offers content that is tailored to each workplace and workforce
- Provides annually updated courses that enable employers to regularly train all employees with fresh and current content in a clear, easy-to-understand style and format
In conclusion, the EEOC’s newly proposed guidelines underscore the importance of training in preventing workplace harassment and negligence claims. Kantola’s comprehensive training provides a seamless way to ensure your organization is fully compliant with these guidelines. By engaging your entire workforce and providing your supervisors and managers with the right knowledge and tools, you can foster a respectful, inclusive, and harassment-free workplace.
