Harassment is behavior that bullies, intimidates, embarrasses, coerces, or insults others. It can come in many forms; however, it is always inappropriate and illegal. Harassment leads to poor productivity, low morale, job loss, or worse. As a manager, you must be able to deal with complaints of harassment and help lead the fight against it. Your status affords you this important responsibility, and it also makes you a role model for how others in your organization should act. Anyone, from employees to outside third parties, may be the victims of harassment or engage in harassing behaviors themselves. This course defines harassment and demonstrates how to identify it, understand its consequences, and fulfill your responsibilities as a manager to eliminate it.

Regardless of the setting or even the harasser, if the behavior is so pervasive and severe that a reasonable person would say it is creating a hostile work environment, the behavior is illegal and may even be grounds for a lawsuit. Even just witnessing the harassment has led to complaints, and managers and companies have been found responsible even when they didn’t know such behavior was occurring. Managers, therefore, must be proactive in creating a healthy and harassment-free workplace. Learn how to do so, as well as learn about the many types of harassment to guard against and their consequences, here.

Harassment often stems from perceived differences, including race, sex, nationality, age, disability, religion, or gender identity, among others. There are many forms harassment may take, and you must be aware of all of them. This course presents many examples. Without such proactivity, harassment may increase and cause significant emotional, and potentially even legal, consequences. As a manager, you have the responsibility and duty to address harassment in your workplace. Utilize the information presented in this training lesson and help eliminate harassment in your company.