It's Not Child's Play:
Educate Teen Workers About
Workplace Harassment

08/20/08

The working world is a new experience for many teens. After-school and summer jobs help teens learn about adult issues such as responsibility and teamwork. Unfortunately, young individuals may also encounter workplace harassment. Teens might not be aware of the laws and processes in place to help protect them and their coworkers — unless you make a point of educating and informing them.

Knowledge is power

Teens may be particularly vulnerable as harassment targets. Because they are younger than other employees and probably less experienced, they may be reluctant to stand up to anyone harassing them. They may feel they have no authorization to complain about a colleague, especially one in a more senior position. Also, since they are new to the workforce, they might think that harassment is part of working life, much like teasing is part of school life for many children. For that matter, uninformed teens may themselves behave in a harassing manner toward coworkers, perhaps without even realizing it.

Working teens — indeed, workers of all ages — need to know what constitutes harassment. They need to know their legal rights, and what resources are at their disposal if they are victimized. Education and training may help reduce incidents of improper behavior among employees. And if harassment occurs, well-informed victims may feel empowered to stand up for their rights instead of quietly allowing the problem to continue.

What's more, by providing harassment training to your staff and having a zero-tolerance policy, you may help protect your business from harassment-related lawsuits that may prove costly to resolve.

Get the message across

G.Neil offers an entertaining, interactive way to educate your staff about harassment issues. From Sex To Religion . . . And Everything In Between, our exclusive, value-priced video, features true-to-life examples of harassment that could occur in any workplace. This informative, thought-provoking video challenges viewers to (a) identify harassing behaviors and (b) suggest appropriate ways to handle various situations. It addresses each of the various types of harassment and explores virtually every aspect of harassment prevention, training and investigation.The video is available on DVD or VHS in an employee version, a manager version, or as a bundle.

View sample clips here

July, 2005