How can sexual harassment training in the workplace protect my company from liability in Kentucky?
The EEOC is the federal governing body that describes and enforces sexual harassment and discrimination laws. Read more at (EEOC Harassment). According to the EEOC sexual harassment and other forms of employment discrimination violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (ADA).
In 2018, the EEOC found that out of 670 workplace discrimination charges filed in Kentucky, 32.4% were related to sexual harassment. These 217 cases constituted 0.9% of the total workplace sexual harassment charges in the US in 2018.
In 2018, the state of Kentucky paid 1.6 million dollars in a settlement to 4 female corrections officers who had been sexually harassed by a supervisor. It was found that the Department of Corrections failed to investigate the sexual harassment complaints or take action against the harasser. The female workers were also subject to retaliation in various forms. You can read more on the story more on the story Here.
There are a number of steps the EEOC recommends that employers take to reduce their chances of liability for sexual harassment claims.
- Implementing a strong and well understood sexual harassment policy.
- Providing a robust sexual harassment training program for training employees and supervisors.
- Establishing an effective complaint and grievance process, within which the employees do not have to fear retaliation.
- An employer should act Immediately to investigate any complaint or grievance.
- The employer should take immediate steps such as disciplinary action to stop harassment.
- Employees should be encouraged to confront the harasser directly and inform them that the conduct is inappropriate as well as informing management and Human Resources
Sexual Harassment Training Tip: Prevention is the BEST tool.
By ensuring that employees understand and are well trained in workplace sexual harassment policies, employers can greatly reduce their chances of being liable for monetary damages in sexual harassment cases.
Our onsite Sexual Harassment training seminars are also available in the following Kentucky hotels:
Lexington
Doubletree Suites by Hilton Lexington
2601 Richmond Rd.
Lexington, KY, 40509
Louisville
Springhill Suites by Marriott Downtown Louisville
132 E. Jefferson
Louisville, KY, 40202