Defining
the Problem of Sexual Harassment Specific to Your Workplace
Typical questions for trainers to ask employees during an assessment process before workplace sexual harassment training include:
1) To what extent is sexual harassment a problem in this organization?
2) What specific behaviors would you include in your definition of sexual harassment?
3) Are managers committed to a harassment-free workplace? How do they display their commitment or lack of commitment?
4) Does your organization have a sexual harassment policy and if so, what is it? Is it effective?
5) Do your supervisors/managers communicate any information about sexual harassment? If yes, what? If no, are they denying that an issue exists or avoiding the issue?
6) Do employees feel comfortable reporting sexual harassment or are they fearful of reprisals?
7) What is the reporting process? Is it effective?
8) What are some examples of sexual harassment you have experienced or witnessed in this organization?
9) How widespread is sexual harassment in this organization? Does it only involve a few employees or many? Is it the norm?
10) How are employees, especially men, responding to the issue of sexual harassment in this organization?
*Reproduced from Confronting Sexual Harassment. Copyright 1995 by Louise Yolton Eberhardt. Whole Person Associates, 210 W Michigan, Duluth, MN 55802