WHAT TYPE OF TRAINING FOR YOUR STAFF?

Deciding on appropriate education and training for your staff will have a long term impact on the successful operation of your policy. While the number of staff, where they are located, the structure of the policy, the labour relations environment and the availability of time (there never is enough!) are all factors, in the end, a convincing argument for a training program is the cost of not having one.

A basic training program should include:

All Staff

• at least two hours, in small groups
• establishment of standards for workplace
• overview of the policy, explain reason for a policy, definitions
• open discussion with simple scenarios
• key contacts identified
• plain language literature distributed

Managers/Supervisors

• at least half a day 
  
• clear explanation of liability and confidentiality 
  
• detailed outline of responsibilities 
  
• checklists for use at first contact 
  
• explanation of importance of notes  
• key contacts/experts identified  
• detailed information distributed

Senior management

• two hour briefing session   
  
• clear explanation of liability and confidentiality 
  
• detailed outline of process - who does what 
  
• responsibilities outlined 
  
• detailed policy information distributed

This article originally appeared in the March, 1997 edition of Sexual Harassment Policy Update.
 

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