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Discrimination and Harassment
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March 8, 2023
Did you know that 75% of office workers have either personally experienced or witnessed some form of workplace misconduct during their working lives? That’s a shocking statistic, but there are ways for organizations to help keep their employees safe. For instance, research shows that with proper follow-up and reinforcement, bystander intervention can be an important addition to harassment prevention training—and a powerful tool when woven together.
75% of office workers have either personally experienced or witnessed some form of workplace misconduct during their working lives
It’s one of the reasons that Bystander Intervention has always been a key element of Traliant’s award-winning Harassment Prevention courses. And it’s why we’ve heightened our commitment to this type of learning by creating a standalone Bystander Intervention course that is complementary to our foundational Harassment Prevention training.
“At the most fundamental level, bystander interventions could begin long before an incident of harassment—with workers having non-threatening, informal conversations in unstressed moments about how to treat each other, how they can help each other do their jobs or make their days better, and practice giving positive feedback.”
BRIGID SCHULTE, HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW
While harassment prevention training fortifies workers with the knowledge they need to spot harassment, bystander training becomes the actionable takeaway. That means learners will not only be able to recognize the problem, they will know how to take action.
And there’s another important factor at work with this powerful combination. It creates an opportunity for greater unity among your employees. When everyone becomes engaged in spotting harassing behavior, no one is automatically targeted as a victim or a harasser. People are emboldened to step in to help because they are part of solving the problem—not part of creating it.
It’s one thing to understand the various forms and nuances of harassment in the workplace, but knowing what to do when we witness these events can make all the difference.
At Traliant, we think it’s useful to use a framework termed: “The four Ds”
Each of these steps represent that critical ingredient to the mix that can significantly impact the outcome, and the difference between an active bystander or a passive witness.
“After a training, people should walk away feeling like there’s something they can do. Rather than just pointing out the problems, bystander intervention leaves learners with the ability to be a part of the solution.”
HEATHER MURPHY, INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER FOR TRALIANT
Once the idea of intervention is considered standard, it fosters an atmosphere where people feel safe and comfortable. And in a time when employees are prioritizing mental health and seeking a positive workplace culture, bystander intervention could be just the vehicle to help your organization meet those expectations.
We know culture change is hard—and taking the first step can seem daunting. And yet, culture change is exactly why bystander intervention training can be powerful: the approach recognizes that, when it comes to the workplace, every employee is responsible for creating an environment of safety.
For more information on Traliant’s Bystander Intervention training click here.
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By
Veronica Bocian