Addressing Workplace Harassment: A New Imperative
In today’s workplace, creating a safe and inclusive environment is more critical than ever. According to a recent Fawcett Society report, almost half of all women will experience some form of sexual harassment in the workplace. This alarming statistic rises even higher online and has significantly increased with the rise of remote working. To address these pressing issues, we are launching a comprehensive training course designed to combat bullying and harassment in the workplace.
Understanding the Worker Protection Act 2024
The introduction of the Worker Protection Act in October 2024 marks a significant shift in how employers must approach workplace harassment. This new legislation obliges employers to take a proactive stance towards tackling sexual harassment, granting tribunals the power to award an uplift of 25% in compensation where an employer has failed to comply with this duty. This legal change underscores the importance of not just having policies in place but actively ensuring they are enforced and effective.
Inclusive workplaces must move beyond mere words and demonstrate a real commitment to ensuring inclusion and safety for all employees. This involves clearly communicating the consequences of failing to properly respect female colleagues. Our training course is designed to help organisations quickly and comprehensively demonstrate their commitment to protecting employees from sexual harassment.
Keeping Policies Updated and Effective
Our course covers several key areas: understanding harassment, legal compliance, policy refresh and update, case studies, inclusivity and diversity, power dynamics, implementing the new act, support strategies, cultural review, and a Q&A clinic. The programme will define what constitutes harassment, bullying, and sexual abuse in the workplace. This session includes a series of scenarios to open discussion and debate, exploring both legal and workplace principles. Then a delve into the legal landscape, explaining the consequences of non-compliance and how to audit your policies and procedures to ensure they are robust and legal.
Real-Life Case Studies: Learning from success stories
You’ll also be guided through refreshing and updating your bullying and harassment policies to align with current laws and best practices. To embed learning, there are real-life case studies, such as how to change a male-dominated culture, to illustrate the challenges and successes of implementing these changes. We’ll also discuss visible and invisible obstacles to inclusivity and how to create a new paradigm. This includes aligning top-down practices with your diversity agenda and revisiting your fertility policy and practice.
Another case study will explore the impact of power dynamics in education and the workplace, and how they affect the next generations. With detailed guidance on implementing the new sexual harassment act, including processes and policy development, attendees will examine strategies for supporting both parties during the process of addressing harassment issues, including choosing and working with an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider. Experts will also emphasize the importance of culture and how to review your organization in light of the new Act, as well as a bespoke session to answer specific questions and concerns faced by individual delegates.
Fostering a Culture of Zero Tolerance
Creating a culture of zero tolerance towards harassment is essential. This means not only having policies in place but ensuring they are actively enforced and that employees feel safe and supported. Our course aims to equip employers with the knowledge and tools they need to foster a safe and inclusive workplace.
By producing this training course, we aim to help organisations navigate the complexities of the new legislation and create a workplace where all employees feel valued and respected. This is not just about compliance; it’s about building a culture of respect and inclusion that benefits everyone. Together, we can make a significant impact on reducing workplace harassment and creating a safer, more inclusive environment for all.
Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace Workshop
This course equips you to effectively demonstrate your commitment to preventing workplace harassment, covering definitions, legal implications, and policy auditing to ensure compliance and protection.