Fight Sexual Harassment with a Policy of Respect; MeetingsNet - March 19, 2018

03-19-2018

Fight Sexual Harassment with a Policy of Respect; MeetingsNet, March 19, 2018 – interview with Stephanie Davis, Esq., SPHR, SHRM-SCP, President / Shareholder

Stephanie shares why it doesn’t matter who’s right or what an accused harasser’s intention was:

“What is important is not how you define what’s uncomfortable or unwanted—it’s how the person who is feeling uncomfortable defines it. We have to respect that if someone feels uncomfortable, that’s the end of the story. The behavior has to stop, regardless of what you or anyone else feels about it.”

She also shares what an event/meeting sexual harassment policy or code of conduct should include:

"It should define what is and is not appropriate behavior, with an emphasis on respectfulness and feeling welcome. It also should delineate steps attendees can take if they feel they have been subjected to inappropriate behavior. The policy has to have teeth—it has to include recourse, including reporting, investigation, and remedial actions. It also should include how to contact the person who is designated to handle claims of unprofessional behavior. That person must be trained—I can’t emphasize this enough—you must have someone who knows the policy and understands the rules and boundaries."

To read the entire article and Stephanie's perspective on the issue, click here.