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As an issue
that has increasingly gained the attention of legislators, courts,
and the media, sexual harassment is a serious and prevalent problem in today’s
workplace. For instance, a Washington Post-ABC News Poll found that 85%
of
men and women respondents said that sexual harassment is a problem in the
workplace. Working Woman magazine research shows that more than 60% of
women responding to their survey reported having been harassed sometime
in
their careers. More than a third of the women knew a coworker who had been
harassed.
Between 1990 and 1995 sexual harassment complaints filed with the EEOC
rose by 150%, a figure that doesn’t account for out of court settlements.
In
2001defendants paid out over $53 million in settlements.
Sexual harassment can occur in any business, at any company, and can create
long-term financial and legal repercussions for employers and offenders.
Sexual
harassment involves associates from any department with any degree of
responsibility. It can happen anywhere—in the office, on a business
trip, at a
company party, or in the cafeteria at lunchtime. Although sexual harassment
can involve male or female harassers, according to the EEOC at least 90%
of
sexual harassment cases involve a male harasser and a female target. Every
employer and offending employee(s) are potentially vulnerable to a sexual
harassment lawsuit.
For over a decade, consultants at The FutureWork Institute have trained
executives, managers and employees on the importance of respect for others
in the workplace. Our basic course: Respect at Work incorporates legal and
psychological research in a clear and compelling training format that clarifies
the boundaries of acceptable behavior but invites participants not just
to avoid
bad behavior but show positive respect. Through presentations, discussions
and
exercises participants learn concrete ways to interact with others in ways
that
are positively reinforcing.
For more information, please call The FutureWork Institute at (718) 832-8625. |
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