As an employer, it helps to have a solid and effective anti-harassment policy at the workplace. Your employees should feel safe and assured that their work environment is free of any form of harassment or discrimination.
A policy that does not fully address harassment claims or concerns could lead to high employee turnover, decreased morale and expose your business to legal and financial sanctions. It’s a risk you cannot afford to take.
Tips on developing an anti-harassment policy
Your business anti-harassment policy should define what constitutes harassment, provide examples of unacceptable behavior and explain the consequences for engaging in harassing behavior. It should also describe the reporting process and the procedures for investigating and addressing complaints.
An effective anti-harassment policy should be clear, comprehensive and widely communicated to all employees. It should be prominently displayed in the workplace, included in employee handbooks and reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains relevant and up-to-date.
It should also be integrated into the company’s values so that everyone understands that harassment will not be tolerated no matter your position or role. Familiarizing your workers and independent contractors through regular training sessions will go a long way in embedding an anti-harassment culture in the workplace.
Your anti-harassment policy is your first line of defense
A working anti-harassment policy will ensure any harassment claims are dealt with conclusively in-house. Therefore, should the matter escalate to regulatory agencies or to court, your workplace policy will stand any legal scrutiny and possibly shield you from liability.
To rule out the possibility of loopholes that could spell doom for your business, strongly consider seeking legal guidance when creating an anti-harassment policy or reviewing your existing one. An experienced eye will catch any weak points and help safeguard your business interests.