Question

Recommend risk management procedures a business can implement to avoid or reduce sexual harassment claims from occurring in the workplace.

Answer 1

Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance or conduct on the job that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. Any conduct of a sexual nature that makes an employee uncomfortable has the potential to be sexual harassment.

There are lots of ways by which company or management can reduce or void sexual harassment cases within the company such as:-

• By Adopting and implementing clear sexual harassment policy

You should clearly define what is sexual harassment to your employees, State in no uncertain terms that you will not tolerate sexual harassment, explain your employs that you will discipline or fire any wrongdoers and set out a clear procedure for filing sexual harassment complaints. You should also tell your employees that you will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who complains about sexual harassment.

• Train employees.

At least once a year, conduct training sessions for employees. These sessions should teach employees what sexual harassment is, explain that employees have a right to a workplace free of sexual harassment, review your complaint procedure, and encourage employees to use it.

• Train supervisors and managers.

At least once a year, conduct training sessions for supervisors and managers that are separate from the employee sessions. The sessions should educate the managers and supervisors about sexual harassment and explain how to deal with complaints.