Sexual Harassment Training Seminars in Massachusetts
Harassment is an issue that employees may face on the office premises. It is recorded that around 74 percent of employees are harassed in Massachusetts, which includes mostly female employees. Employers in Massachusetts must take preventative action to guarantee that their workplace is secure and free from harassment because one in three women report experiencing harassment. Various Massachusetts laws help to identify sexual harassment in the workplace. There are two main categories which we will discuss in this article.
Boston, Massachusetts
Causes of Work Place Harassment
There are various causes of work place harassment, but the two main causes for the harassment are gender inequality and power imbalance. Hierarchies in the workplace and other power disparities can breed entitlement in the powerful while instilling fear in the weaker people when it comes to questioning or opposing their authority.
Even though it might not be able to completely eliminate power disparities, companies and organizations can think about lessening their consequences. Some ways to do this include making sure that leaders and managers can report inappropriate behavior in a safe way and making it clear that they will be held responsible for their actions.
Understanding Massachusetts harassment laws:
Massachusetts has some of the strictest laws around workplace harassment and discrimination in the country. The laws prohibit harassment or discrimination based on protected characteristics like race, gender, religion, national origin, and disability. If employers fail to take appropriate measures to stop and deal with harassment promptly, they may be held legally responsible. Because of this, continuous training is essential.
Workplace sex discrimination, including same-sex sexual harassment, is illegal in Massachusetts. Sexual harassment may be divided into two basic categories: "hostile work environment" harassment and "quid pro quo" harassment.
Quid Pro Quo Harassment
Sexual approaches, demands for sexual favors, and any verbal or physical behavior whose acceptance or rejection forms the basis for decisions about employment or a term or condition of employment are all considered Quid Pro Quo harassment according to Massachusetts law.
Hostile Work Environment
Any verbal or physical sexual behavior that has the intent or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's ability to execute their job duties by creating an intimidating, hostile, humiliating, or sexually offensive work environment, including sexual overtures and demands for sexual favors
What Sexual Harassment Training Should Cover?
- To comply with state laws and create a respectful workplace, training seminars in Massachusetts should educate employees on:
- The legal definitions of harassment and discrimination, using clear examples. Employees need to understand what types of behaviors are prohibited
- Company policies related to preventing harassment and bias. Employees should know exactly how to report issues.
- Bystander intervention strategies. Training should empower employees to speak up if they witness problems.
- The consequences of policy violations, for both employees and the company
- Sensitivity training to promote respect and inclusion. This helps positively shape workplace culture.
Regular seminars, rather than a one-time training, allow employers to refresh key concepts and update employees on policy changes. Many companies find bringing in an external expert trainer yields the best results.
Massachusetts cities providing onsite Sexual Harassment training seminars:
Boston : Canopy by Hilton Boston Downtown
99 Blackstone Street, Boston, Massachusetts , 02109, USA
Worcester: Hampton Inn & Suites Westford-Chelmsford
9 Nixon Road, Westford, Massachusetts, 01886, USA
Springfield: Hilton Hotels
610 East Evergreen, Springfield, MO 65803, United States