Our blog has addressed a number of topics related to sexual harassment, a serious problem in workspaces across the country. The consequences of this behavior can be very damaging, not only for employees who are affected but for a company’s bottom line and future growth as well. If you are a business owner, it is crucial to address sexual harassment immediately and appropriately. Moreover, it is also important to do what you can to prevent sexual harassment from occurring in the first place. Sadly, some business owners have shown little regard for this serious issue.
There are a number of preventative measures that should be taken to keep sexual harassment out of the workplace. For example, companies should make sure that all staff members are trained on different types of behavior that constitute unlawful sexual harassment and the appropriate steps that should be taken to address any occurrences of this unlawful behavior. This may be accomplished by setting up a training program and periodically checking that employees understand which types of behavior are not acceptable in the workplace.
If a staff member has been accused of sexual harassment, it is pivotal to review the allegation(s) and ensure that they do not continue to harass other workers. All sexual harassment allegations need to be reviewed on an individualized basis and disciplinary action may need to be taken as well. Sadly, sexual harassment has serious consequences, and many businesses have had their operations completely unravel as a result of litigation over sexual harassment.