Maggie Evans 
Sexual harassment is a topic that has reached the public eye in recent years. That is good because the more we talk about the troubles that some people face every day, the greater the chance that it will be foreseen and prevented. Also, it creates space to educate people about recognizing and responding to unacceptable behavior on time.
When someone is harassed sexually, it is usually not an isolated incident. It happens at the workplace and schools, and it is not always about women. Men can experience it, too, as unwanted behavior does not necessarily include physical contact. It is any situation that makes you feel threatened, ashamed, helpless, and upset.
Every employer and employee needs to understand the importance of proper sexual harassment training. By learning to recognize and respond to unacceptable behavior within the workplace, it is possible to create a safer and more productive work environment.
How to Know You’re Harassed
It’s unfortunate but true that maltreatment is a more prevalent problem in the work environment today than ever before. Before establishing the law about the importance of sexual harassment training, many employers failed to observe, predict, and prevent these acts.
Besides apparent forms of abuse such as inappropriate touching, lascivious comments, and blackmail, there are more subtle forms of this crime. The basic task of training is to teach people to recognize them and react adequately.
Depending on the nature of the harasser, the victim usually does not notice the abuse. Imagine someone calling you a ‘doll’ every day. Is that a compliment? It could be if a dear, close person tells you that. But it’s not something you’ll expect from a boss or manager. Although it seems insignificant, this nickname exceeds the limits of professional behavior.
How to React
Proper sexual harassment training is critical in preventing bullying in the workplace. Employees should get enough information about the definition of sexual harassment, its remedies, and how they may be implemented. If any type of abuse is present, it is essential to discipline the harasser.
Employees should be taught to respond appropriately to negative pressure from colleagues or management. They will know the boundaries between permissible and illegal conduct. They will learn how to respond to any action that upsets them. Here are some guidelines on how to act in this situation.
The training should be both theoretical and interactive so that employees can learn to deal with this inconvenience in their workplaces. California laws allow companies to have online webinars about this topic.
Proper training should teach employees how to report sexual incidents. When they know the procedure that follows their report, they will feel much safer and will not be ashamed if this trouble happens to them. Moreover, employees may be more productive if they feel that they can work in an environment without fear of being attacked.
Following Legal Compliance
Responsible companies protect their staff and business by establishing a good policy against harassment of any kind. And when employees get the proper training, they will be able to understand these policies. They will start the procedure along with the employer to protect the interests of both.
Employers must regularly conduct sexual harassment training in California in order to work by the latest legal regulations. Proper sexual harassment training also makes it easier for companies to monitor the program and provide ongoing guidance to employees facing problems.
No-Risk of Lawsuits
The training can help companies avoid costly lawsuits. Even though it has nothing to do with their business, every incident within the company draws them in as participants. The attacked employees will sue the harassers. But they can also file a claim against the employer for not protecting their rights.
California laws prescribe penalties for employers because of poor policy that should prevent harassment. That can drain the company’s resources and be a distraction to the business. Not to mention the risk of bad public image and reputation drop.
The importance of proper sexual harassment training cannot be overemphasized. It is an essential part of a company’s efforts to manage unacceptable behavior among employees. Everyone gets the proper education, so they know how to act when facing sexual harassment in the workplace.
