How To Prevent Sexual Abuse And Misconduct In The Workplace

If you're running a business, you need to protect your employees and ensure their safety and security. However, safety and security are not only about ensuring that the premises are safe from intruders who may cause harm. 

Sometimes harm can happen within your organization if you are not careful about managing sexually abusive behaviors. Managing all forms of risky behavior that can make employees uncomfortable and minimize their comfort levels is a must. Here are some tips that can help you make the work environment safe for all employees.

Train Your Staff

The most important strategy when you want to prevent sexual misconduct or any other form of misconduct in your workplace is to train your employees. People need to be trained to recognize misconduct and know how to report it. This is the first line of defense against sexual abuse and misconduct in any organization.

Create a Code of Ethics

While it is important to train your staff and let them know what kind of behavior is acceptable and what is not. You also need to create a written code of ethics for your workplace. There are certain behaviors that you must prohibit in writing. Once you have this in writing if someone violates it you can reference it legally. This can make it easier for you to either dismiss an employee who has been proven guilty of misconduct or take disciplinary action against them.

Hire Carefully

One way to prevent sexual misconduct or other types of deviant behaviors in your workplace is to be prudent about who you hire. You need to create solid and effective criteria for who you employ. Make sure that you not only look at the qualifications that people bring to the table when they're coming for an interview, but also take the time to look into their character. Get references for them, follow through and contact these references before you hire someone.

It is also a good idea to put employees on some kind of probationary period before you sign off on a contract with them. This will give you the chance to closely examine the work ethic and conduct of new employees.

Sexual abuse and misconduct risk management is something that needs to be taken seriously. If you don't it can have a damaging effect on the culture of your business and it can also bring legal ramifications. Fortunately, taking precautionary measures such as those discussed here can severely reduce misconduct in your organization.

For help with improving the sexual abuse and misconduct management within your business, contact a consulting service such as BOKRIM.