A Guide To Anti-Harassment Training Online

Page 1

Clear perspectives on anti-harassment training online that help

Never underestimate the power of knowledge when fighting a foe. Anti-harassment training online uses knowledge to the advantage of potential and actual victims. No one can predict the nature of harassment they may face, so a broader understanding of the different different types of harassment is important. Discriminatory harassment Most of us are familiar with what would be considered discriminatory harassment. In this case, oppressors do not share the same race, gender, colour, nationality, religious beliefs or age as those they seek to treat unfairly. This can even be extended to those with mental or physical disabilities. Most companies have fairly extensive policies and procedures, including training, to protect people from these types of harassment. This mitigates to some extent the perpetration of this kind of harassment as harassers will be acutely aware of the potential risks and consequences of their actions if they are caught.


Identifying the exact reason for the harassment becomes very helpful in reporting discriminatory harassment as it’s important to get to the root cause of abusive behaviour for it to be remedied. The facts that we bring to the attention of those tasked with safeguarding the work environment from such individuals should be credible and rational. Religious harassment Leadership and management training online also helps in the establishment of a work environment that is not hostile and more tolerant of diversity. Religious harassment in particular can be pervasive if anti-harassment training online for the entire workforce is not in place. No one from any religion should have to deal with taunting, religiously degrading “jokes” or insensitive comments. With the right knowledge sharing on religious harassment, people will come to understand that any kind of “quid pro quo” tolerance of victimisation is a bad thing. People should not have to put up with being degraded in any fashion simply to keep their jobs, be promoted or be accepted as part of the workplace group. Learning the importance of speaking up and confronting ignorance is important to ensure people do not suffer in silence for their beliefs and values. Power harassment Bullying prevention training online is most helpful in situations where power harassment is at play. People with elevated positions often misuse their power to coerce and repress. The victims of bullying are faced with many choices on how to respond and confront the situation. Aggression in the workplace can amplify stress and anxiety and make situations intolerable very quickly. Leadership and management training online focuses on ensuring that there are counterbalancing forces within the organisation. Channels for reporting and support must be made available to ensure victims feel safeguarded each step of the way. Often matrix management structures in organisations alleviate this as victims are never at the mercy of single managers who control their careers, allowing them to act as “dictators”. The more the culture and climate of an organisation provide victims of harassment with options and fosters a more participative democratic management approach, the more likely power harassment will be diluted. Psychological harassment Psychological security at work is essential for optional performance. Anti-harassment training online also underscores the importance of going beyond this and actually focusing on enhancing mental well-being. Anyone who causes others to feel inferior or damages their morale needs to be dealt with decisively. Psychological harassment is corrosion in all its forms. From the spreading of false rumours to forcing victims to do demeaning tasks, it can be insidious.


Causing torment that victims cannot easily escape and hurting their dignity and confidence. Crippling a victim’s psyche may lead to depression and loss of self-esteem. Sexual harassment Sexual harassment is probably the most highlighted form of abuse that everyone is aware of these days. This does not however mean it can be neglected during anti-harassment training online, seeing as how it’s still very prevalent in society. Male-female dynamics can be complicated, especially in male-dominated multicultural environments where views on what is right and wrong may vary significantly. As with bullying prevention training online, an emphasis needs to be put on boundaries and personal needs and comfort. Individuals have a right to define what they see as acceptable and tolerable. There can never be a one size fits all prescription of what constitutes sexual harassment. It is, therefore, dangerous to generalise and each case must be properly examined. This knowledge is empowering as all victims get to have their personal perceptions validated. As we look at each sub-type of harassment one thing becomes clearer. Giving in is never a solution—using our knowledge gained through training to prevent harassment, is.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.