Does sexual harassment training
reduce incidents of harassment?

Since 2005, California employers have been required to conduct a minimum of two hours training in preventing sexual harassment and discrimination for companies with more than 50 employees..  Now, prevention of bullying is mandated to be added to that training. 

Does it do any good?  Some research suggests no it doesn’t.

BUT, which training are they using as their study group?  Is it the typical on-line training conducted by attorneys who share facts and figures and offer scare tactics?  If so, I’d bet it doesn’t make any social or behavioral changes. 

Years ago there was a significant body of research conducted to find out if psycho-therapy worked.  In general the finding was that there was no significant change in the thoughts and behaviors of those receiving therapy.   This was when all therapists were lumped together.  However, there was significant positive change in those clients/patients that were treated by therapists considered to be outstanding by their peers. 

In other words, great therapists produce great results.  Mediocre therapists produce mediocre results – or none that is discernable at all.

I offer you the same theory when evaluating the effectiveness of sexual harassment training.  Who is conducting the training?  What is their background in the ability to communicate in a manner that is effective in changing beliefs and behaviors?  How is the training being conducted?  Is it an on-line education type training – in which case there is no possible interaction or role-playing – or is it a face-to-face training allowing for discussion, questions and new learning to actually take place? 

There is nothing more valuable than face-to-face training conducted by someone who knows how to draw people out, offer examples that resonate with them, and really effect change.

Yes, on-line training saves money.  I too have created on line trainings for Illumeo and Lorman.  They are good because I rely more on examples than statistics or scare tactics, but they are not half as good as my face-to-face training. 

So, do you want to just be in compliance with the law, or do you want to really get your people to understand and accept how certain behaviors are perceived by others. 

You get to decide.  BUT, if as the research shows, on-line training isn’t very effective are you saving pennies but run the risk of losing millions in law-suits?

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