Workplace harassment can take many forms and have serious consequences. It is defined as unwanted conduct that violates dignity or creates an intimidating environment. Some examples of harassment include repeated touching, intimidating comments, spreading rumors, and withholding information. Company policy has zero tolerance for harassment and aims to ensure equal treatment and opportunities for all. Employees should treat others with respect, speak up if they witness unacceptable conduct, and know how to formally report harassment complaints.

1. Workplace Harassment
[name] [date]

2. Learning objectives
 What is Harassment
 What are the consequences
 How we can root out harassment
 Our company policy on harassment

3. What is harassment?
“... unwanted conduct which has the purpose or effect of
violating an individual's dignity or creating an
intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive
environment for that individual...“
Our Company has zero tolerance for harassment

4. What constitutes harassment?
Having a heated debate on
a business issue
Keeping sexually explicit
images in the workspace
Repeatedly touching
someone
Intimidating or demeaning
comment during a heated
discussion
NO YES YES
YES
Spreading malicious
rumours
YES
Witholding essential
information
YES

5. What is harassment?
My manager and
colleagues have
taken to calling me
“shorty”
The client made
suggestive
remarks - my
boss didn’t give
me any support
My female manager made
a lot of sexual innuendos
that makes me really
uncomfortable
The lads blow
kisses at me
whenever I walk in
– they say it's just
banter but it's
humiliating
Some guys view
porn in the office –
it’s intimidating

6. Harassment myths
No. It can occur outside the workplace, eg at a
client site – we’re still responsible for it
Harassment can only
occur in the workplace
No. It can occur by phone, email, letter, or
even in the target’s absence
Harassment can only
occur face to face
No. It can be perpetrated by women too
Harassment can only
be perpetrated by men

7. Let’s Learn more
1. Aggressive and intimidating conduct (including swearing). If it’s repeated and
unreasonable might be considered bullying
2. Any comments which are belittling, humiliating, demeaning, that might be rude, racist,
to sexist comments.
3. Victimization when somebody is on the receiving end of the threat whether its carried
out or not because they have put in a complaint or perhaps have a reason to put in a
compliant but haven’t or because they have been asked to participate in an
investigation or have provided evidence of an investigate
4. Spreading of malicious rumours and we may call it gossip in some circles could be
considered bullying and so staff or workers really do need to be careful about the type
of conversations that they’re entering into
5. Bullying can occur: – sideways between employees – upwards from employees to
managers – downwards from managers to employees

8. You make the call: Is it harassment?
"My manager refers to me as 'dear' and 'love' in front of clients"
Harassment
Not harassment


9. You make the call: Is it harassment?
“My manager blew his top off when he found out about the error one of the guys
had made"
Harassment
Not harassment 

10. You make the call: Is it harassment?
"My boss is a woman – she keeps making suggestive comments even though I’ve
ask her to stop"
Harassment
Not harassment


11. You make the call: Is it harassment?
“I’m pretty overworked – too many late evenings. I feel it’s because I’ve been given
too much."
Harassment
Not harassment 

12. Our Policy
 Creating a positive working environment for everyone
 Ensuring everyone is treated with respect
 Offering equal treatment and opportunities to all
 Requiring everyone to read and implement our Equality and Diversity Policy

13. Do
Read our Company’s policy– make sure you understand the rules and why they're important
Treat all team members and clients with respect – make sure that any events or entertainment is
appropriate and gives a professional impression
Speak out if you witness unacceptable conduct or language at work
Respond sensitively if someone is offended by something you have said – and apologise if you've
made a mistake
Take feedback and read, research , improvise on existing understanding
Formalise complaints - if the matter is serious, talk to your manager who will escalate the
complaint to the Head of Human Resources/HR manager

14. Don’t
 Use stereotypes or make assumptions based on the nine protected characteristics - it creates
inequality and discrimination
 Use careless or insensitive language at work - take particular care in the heat of the moment
 Ignore discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation – tell someone
 Ask personal questions about family life, health , medical status , finances , unless on has the
rapport and the info is volunteered
 Don’t stalk online , make comments on appearance or info shared on social media

15. Group Activity
Take a minute to consider, silently, some behaviours you believe are:
“outside the limits of respect” because they
-Signal disrespect for others
-Undermine confident, productivity, reputation
-Involve misuse of power
-Erode others’ well-being
Give as many examples as possible of each type