Now that we’ve covered a little bit about the importance of sexual harassment training in the current cultural moment, let’s dig a little deeper. Perhaps you still want more! Here are a few other important reasons to hold sexual harassment prevention and gender equity trainings:
Your staff, students, clients, and customers are people.
These people are the driving force of your organization, business, or school. These places would not exist without these amazing people, all of whom deserve respect. In schools and workplaces, sexual harassment is illegal because in the United States we have deemed them protected spaces. All Americans have a right to work and a right to an education. If their access is undermined by sexual harassment, they are not being treated like full citizens under the law.
Sexual harassment hurts everyone-- ALL of your staff, students, clients, or customers.
Sexism, sexual harassment, and hostile work environments lead to depression and anxiety in staff. Research has shown that the effects of sexual harassment for some who experience it can be the same as effects of those who have experiences a completed sexual assault. Do you want to be responsible for that happening on your watch?
Sexual harassment means decreased productivity and a higher turnover rate.
A hostile work environment created by sexual harassment leads to a lack of trust and decreased collaboration between staff members resulting in poorer quality work. Of course, YOU care about people more than the bottom-line, but if other staff members or management need some economic justification, be assured-- it’s there. Taking the time and spending a little money on the front end by creating a positive environment and preventing sexual harassment will most definitely save you money and increase productivity in the long run.
Sexual harassment is bad for your reputation.
Negative experiences like sexual harassment had by customers, students, or staff mean decreased sales or attendance and a bad reputation. Whether by word of mouth or online ratings, your reputation is key-- this is your chance to look good and show off how awesome you are! Would you rather have online ratings about harassment in your workplace… or glowing reviews by parents, students, staff, customers, or clients about their experiences and your attention to creating a positive space. You get to make that call.
While gender equity and sexual harassment prevention training is most effective when combined with other organizational shifts (contact me for more information), including inclusive workplace policies and hiring practices, a high quality, interactive training will move your organization or school towards a more positive environment.
The good news: making steps towards a positive work environment means decreased turnover, higher productivity, and increased earnings. A positive school environment means better attendance, engagement, and educational outcomes for students and a more positive space for students and staff. LITERALLY EVERYONE WINS.
You can be a winner, too. Let’s talk about it today.