How can trainers make their posh training more impactful
By: Ms. Bhavana Purohit
POSH training is necessary to educate employees about what is acceptable and what is inappropriate at their workplace. POSH training is also a compliance obligation for employers under the POSH Act of 2013. It is an essential step to establish a safe, respectable and equitable workplace.
In this article, we will discuss how organizations and workplace leaders along with trainers can make POSH training for employees more productive and impactful.
Offer Customized Training
Offer customizes training content tailored for specific workplace needs. Use real-life examples, case studies, that are relevant to the employees to help them understand how to identify the welcomed and unwelcomed behavior and prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
Use Interactive and Engaging Methods
Traditional PowerPoint presentations can be boring and fail to capture the attention of employees. Instead, use interactive methods such as role-plays, case studies, quizzes, and group discussions to encourage engagement and understanding.
Encourage Open Communication
Create a safe space for employees to ask questions and share their experiences. This can help employees feel comfortable in reporting incidents of sexual harassment and raise awareness of potential issues that may have been overlooked. Make your participants appreciate diversity.
Encourage Bystander Intervention
Empower employees to be active bystanders and intervene when they witness inappropriate behavior. Include scenarios that demonstrate how to effectively intervene and provide resources for reporting incidents.
Reinforce Ongoing Support
The effectiveness of the training can be enhanced by providing ongoing support for employees. Consider establishing a reporting system for employees to confidentially report incidents of sexual harassment, providing access to counseling services, and conducting periodic follow-up sessions to ensure that employees have retained the knowledge and skills learned in the training.
Make Your Training Inclusive
Sexual harassment training should not be limited to just managers or supervisors. It’s important that all employees, regardless of their position, receive training on preventing sexual harassment in the workplace. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and understands what behavior is unacceptable.
Make the Training Mandatory
To ensure that all employees receive the necessary training, make it mandatory for everyone to attend. This will demonstrate the seriousness of the issue and ensure that everyone has the same level of knowledge and understanding.
Offer Training in Multiple Formats
People have different learning styles, so it’s important to offer training in multiple formats. Some employees may prefer in-person training, while others may prefer online training modules or written materials. By offering different formats, you can cater to different learning preferences and ensure that everyone has access to the training.
Remove Myths and Preconceptions
Many people have misconceptions about sexual harassment, which can stymie prevention efforts. It is critical to confront these beliefs and misconceptions and provide factual information on what constitutes sexual harassment and how it can be avoided.
Final Words
POSH training endeavors to provide a holistic understanding about the ways and means that must be leveraged by the organizations to prevent any incidents of sexual harassment at workplace. Employers can develop a workplace culture that fosters respect, equity, and safety for all employees by following these tips.