Sexual Harassment Campaign – does awareness drive change?

Sexual Harassment Campaign Key Takeways:

Let’s the ongoing problem of sexual harassment in the workplace, highlighting the need for proactive prevention and the negative impact it has on individuals and organisations. We need to emphasise the importance of effective sexual harassment training and awareness campaigns to create a culture of respect. We also stress the role of leadership in setting an example and the value of external partners.

Sexual harassment in the workplace remains an issue that impacts workplaces of all sizes and across all industries. Yet many organisations fail to take proactive steps to prevent harassment or properly address complaints. Complacency and lack of education enable toxic cultures where harassment goes unchecked. 

It’s past the time for companies to make meaningful changes. Sexual harassment training and awareness campaigns are essential tools to ignite progress. When implemented thoughtfully, they can transform organisational culture for the better.

It hurts more than just the victims

Sexual harassment comes in many forms – from inappropriate jokes and touching, to threats, and assault. The effects extend far beyond individual victims to negatively impact organisations as a whole.

Targets of harassment experience psychological distress and health problems. They take more sick days, have higher turnover, and are less productive. Morale plummets across teams when harassment occurs without consequences. Recruitment suffers if a company gains a reputation for tolerance of abuse. The financial costs of litigation and settlements can be astronomical.

Simply put: sexual harassment is bad for business. Wise leaders recognise this and take proactive steps for change.

Training is not just a tick box

Many organisations now require anti-harassment training at least once per year. Unfortunately, a compliance mindset means programmes are often lacklustre. You’ll find employees just click through generic slide decks – but they don’t learn anything. And then leadership fails to model the expected behaviours, or enforce policies consistently.

Ineffective training backfires by breeding cynicism and reinforcing unacceptable norms. Employees perceive the content as HR lip service rather than an authentic commitment to cultural change.

For training to succeed, it must not be a check-the-box activity. Programming should incorporate:

• Tailored case studies and scenarios
• Small group discussions
• Skills practice for responding to inappropriate behaviours
• Leadership modelling of expected conduct
• Ongoing refreshers and follow-up activities

The goal is shaping mindsets and behaviours in real-world application. Participants should leave equipped to identify harassment and intervene as empowered bystanders or allies. Resources must also be readily available for targets to report issues safely.

So how do you know if your training is having an impact? Apart from the obvious reduction in behaviour, it comes from speaking to your people. Consider doing a survey to find out their thoughts. This can be a standalone survey, or as part of a brand audit.

Anti-sexual harassment campaign to reinforce the commitment

While foundational training builds knowledge, awareness campaigns reinforce the commitment at every turn. They serve as constant reminders to employees to uphold workplace values. Campaigns also signal to visitors and customers that harassment will not be tolerated.

Posters, flyers, intranet articles, emails, table tents, and other formats drive the message home. An Anti-Sexual Harassment Campaign will incorporate different communication channels for consistent reinforcement.

Messaging should clearly define prohibited behaviours, highlight reporting procedures, and articulate consequences. Bystander intervention tips empower employees to call out misconduct safely. Positive framing clarifies desired norms like mutual respect.

Ideally, campaigns are refreshed quarterly or annually to keep content engaging. Incorporating current news topics or cultural references makes the material feel timely rather than tired. Rotation also ensures nothing fades into background noise.

It starts at the top

Policies and programming mean nothing unless leaders embody the most stringent standards at every level of the organisation. Their actions as role models as cultural change starts from the top down.

Harassment allegations against senior leaders or high performers cannot be brushed under the rug. Everyone must be held accountable for meeting clearly defined expectations. No one should be considered “too valuable” to discipline appropriately.

Leaders also need competency in addressing complaints, leading investigations, and determining fair consequences. An independent professional may assist if internal expertise is lacking.

Ultimately, leaders themselves must complete training to heighten awareness of implicit bias, power dynamics, and micro-aggressions. Their understanding should far exceed baseline legal compliance.

External partners provide fresh perspective

Cultures evolve slowly over the years, so most harassment is rooted in cultural undercurrents. Company veterans become desensitised to the issues, while newly hired employees stay quiet and fear speaking out or just expect it to be the norm at the company.

A fresh perspective is provided by external partners such as harassment prevention firms and diversity experts. They identify issues beneath the surface. In many cases, confidential assessments and anonymous surveys reveal concerns that internal parties are unaware of. If weaknesses exist, these external partners may help strengthen policies, reporting procedures, investigations, training, communications, and culture rebuilding. As well as holding leadership accountable, they provide practical solutions that are tailored to the organization’s needs.

In some cases, partners can provide training programs or staff tip lines where employees can anonymously report problems. In order to demonstrate serious commitment, sexual harassment prevention should be delegated.

Stop tolerating toxic behaviours – it’s time for change

Sexual harassment inflicts massive damage when nothing is done about it. The true cost extends far beyond the legal sphere. It cripples morale, tarnishes brands, and is responsible for a decline in long-term performance.

Organisations can no longer tolerate inappropriate humour, sexist language, forced “flirting,” micro-aggressions, or abuse of power. Stop waiting for legal complaints and start shaping the culture proactively.

With strong policies, training, awareness campaigns, leadership modelling, and external support, companies can build workplaces where harassment has no place. Employees will be empowered to call out problems while leadership consistently responds.

The time for change is now. Complacency enables toxicity to take root and destroy cultural health. Commit publicly to stamping out harassment through meaningful action – not just policies. Employees and customers will take notice.

So what can you do, immediately?

Our Anti-Sexual Harassment Campaigns allow you to hit the ground running with your awareness goals. Simply choose the campaign that you prefer, and you’ll be able to launch within less than 15 minutes. Head on over to our shop to choose yours now.