I recently facilitated a session of Respectful Workplace Training with a small company.  It started when an older employee watched a customer take off a heavy down parka.  “Wow, I didn’t realize there was a lady under all that wrapping.  With the winter coats I can’t tell what I’m looking at!”  The employee thought it was a compliment, a nice gesture. The customer was very offended and took her feelings to social media where she named the company and, with the backing of public support, demanded that the employee be disciplined and asked what else the company was going to do about this situation.

Respectful Workplace Training

Ignoring of the social media cries of “fire his ass”, “terminate him immediately”, the employer did not fire the employee.  This employer goes out of his way to hire people with barriers to employment: people that already have barriers and challenges to overcome.  An immediate termination may have quieted the angry mob, but it wasn’t the right solution for his company.  Instead, the employer engaged us to provide Respectful Workplace Training for the entire company.

What Is And What Isn’t Harassment?

I created a 1.5 hour session tailored to fit their needs.  We covered the do’s and don’ts of a respectful, harassment-free workspace in the Respectful Workplace Training.  I explained what is harassment and what is not harassment and what an individual should do if they witness harassment. I asked a lot of questions and encouraged a lot of group discussions.

The Respectful Workplace Homework

A part of the tailored training I developed for the employer was a second session about two weeks after the first session.  This was to review, coach where required, and refresh  the learning from the first session.  I had given the team an assignment between the two sessions, a bit of homework.  First, to catch each other doing something right or wrong.  Basically, holding each other accountable in a safe and respectful way.  Second, to reflect and see if there were any personal stereotypes that they identified themselves by and how that had affected them as individuals.

Going Beyond

I showed up for the second session, and wow was I surprised!  The team did so much more than just catch each other.  They created a conducive work environment.  They explained how they now take the time to slow down a bit, think before opening their mouths whether to a customer or to each other.  One team member shared that the workshop caused him to have second thoughts each time he interacts with a customer in a good way.  The team even implemented a ‘safe word’ to remind each other to be thoughtful of their words and behaviour, and they had even used it a couple of times.

This is a good example of an employer taking a tough situation, thinking about his employees, and creating a better workplace for the employees, and a better experience for his customers.

Please feel free to email me here: CK Tan or call 306.531.5998 if you’d like to discuss Respectful Workplace Training for your company