How To Protect Your Employees and Office From Sexual Harassment

Sexual assault is evil, and the era of silence is coming to an end.  What are you and your business doing to ensure that all of your employees and co-workers are safe and acting appropriately? 
 
In light of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, sexual allegations are streaming forward in every arena.  Everyone from rock stars to former Presidents have been accused, and the tolerated environments of sexual harassment are fading away.
 
First and foremost, a harassment free environment is the right thing to do.  Additionaly, creating and insuring that environment is a necessary practice for you to attract and keep qualified and talented employees.  Very few people will choose to work in an unsafe workplace.
 
How can you insure your employees and co-workers are safe and acting appropriately?  Here are 3 steps.
 
Publicly Commit to a Sexual Harassment Free Environment - Publicly stating that which is law is never a bad thing.  Sexual harassment is illegal.  Gather your team together, and make it clear that no hint of sexual harassment will be allowed in any way or in any form.  Give them the confidence that your business has a zero-tolerance policy in regards to any inappropriate behavior.  These kinds of statements should not be one-time announcements but instead, they should be something that you speak about regularly, lest someone forget.
 
Establish a Protocol - Most sufferers of sexual assault/harassment are afraid to speak up.  Additionaly, if they wanted to, many don’t know what the process would look like.  Is it a meeting?  Will they lose their job if the speak up?  What if it is a supervisor?  Answer these questions for your company by creating a protocol for speaking up.  This gives everyone a clear pathway forward, and it also serves as a deterrent because predators know that they are at risk of being discovered.
 
Set the Example – Lead the way in your speech and actions.  Don’t let a hint of inappropriate behavior or speech escape you.  Be ever vigilant to treat each employee and co-worker with dignity.  If you don’t set the example, then others will not feel comfortable approaching you when there is a concern or an allegation.  Your lack of example is a gateway towards harassment in the workplace.
 
Don’t be the barrier to another person’s safety.  Instead, lead the way towards a safe workplace.
 
Gordon Duncan is the CEO/Consultant of ProSight Success.  He has worked in the eye care industry for nearly 20 years.  He has consulted in the medical field, manufacturing, accounting, and many other disciplines.  You can contact him at [email protected]
 
ProSight offers a host of resources for the optometric and small business field.  You can find front desk training at our Front Desk Academy.  Additional resources can be found below:
 
Digital ProSight Success System
Paperback ProSight Success System
 
And our best value:  the ProSight Success Workbook that includes a digital copy and a free hour of consulting.
 

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