Sexual harassment and discrimination remain pervasive issues in workplaces across California. While all companies are required to provide harassment prevention training, many small businesses struggle with ensuring the training is effective and engaging. In this blog post, we look at a case study of how a California small business used third-party facilitated training to address harassment issues and create a safer work environment.
Sunshine Electronics, a small tech startup based in Riverside, had recently expanded its team. Several employees expressed discomfort about inappropriate jokes and comments made by their colleagues, which created a tense atmosphere in the office. Although the company had provided harassment training in the past, it was clear that the training hadn’t been effective in changing workplace behavior.
Employee complaints led to an internal review of the company’s harassment policies, which were found to be outdated and ineffective in addressing specific concerns in the tech industry, such as harassment in virtual communication or online spaces.
Sunshine Electronics decided to hire a third-party consultant to facilitate an updated harassment prevention training program. The program included several key components:
Interactive Workshops: The consultant designed interactive scenarios that helped employees and managers recognize and respond to harassment, both in-person and online.
Virtual Harassment: The training focused on preventing harassment in remote work settings, discussing issues like inappropriate messaging, online bullying, and harassment via email.
Legal Compliance: The consultant ensured that the training met all state and federal requirements, including California’s AB 1825 and AB 2053 regulations, which require companies to provide sexual harassment training to employees and supervisors.
After the training program, the company saw notable improvements:
Improved Reporting: Employees felt more comfortable reporting harassment and knew exactly how to use the company’s reporting mechanisms.
Reduction in Harassment Complaints: The number of harassment complaints decreased significantly, as employees became more aware of what constituted unacceptable behavior and how to prevent it.
Stronger Company Culture: A more inclusive and respectful company culture developed, where employees felt their voices were heard and their concerns taken seriously.
Lesson Learned: Third-party facilitated harassment training is an effective way to address sensitive topics in the workplace. By bringing in an expert, small businesses can ensure compliance, create safer work environments, and foster a culture of respect and accountability.
