Define your company's standards for staff interactions with others.

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Crafting a harassment policy is vital to promote a workplace where every staff member is treated with dignity and respect. Discover the steps to create a harassment policy and utilize our template to develop one for your business.

Table Of Contents

Understanding Harassment Policies

A harassment policy serves as a crucial document that outlines your company's expectations regarding staff behavior towards various stakeholders, including fellow employees, customers, vendors, and other individuals associated with your business. While professional decorum should ideally govern workplace interactions, it's essential to acknowledge that not everyone possesses the knowledge or awareness of appropriate behavior.

In cases of severe misconduct by an employee, legal consequences may be necessary. A well-crafted harassment policy plays a pivotal role in informing your staff about acceptable conduct within the workplace and delineates consequences for misconduct. By doing so, it can effectively prevent and address issues, potentially saving your organization from significant challenges.

Harassment policies may also be known by different names, such as anti-harassment policy, employee harassment policy, sexual harassment policy, or racial harassment policy. Regardless of the terminology, their core purpose remains the same: fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment while providing clear guidance on expected behavior and repercussions for violations.

Addressing Harassment Within the Harassment Policy

Within a harassment policy, there are specific areas of harassment that it comprehensively covers. Whether it's through a unified policy in an employee handbook that applies to all or individualized policies distributed to each employee, the goal remains consistent: to create a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Typically, a harassment policy encompasses provisions against various forms of harassment, including:

1. Physical Harassment: This category includes behaviors such as horseplay, physical bullying, or any form of unwanted physical contact that can create discomfort or distress.
2. Verbal Harassment: Verbal harassment pertains to inappropriate language, offensive jokes, racism, or any other offensive comments that can be damaging to individuals or groups within the workplace.
3. Visual Harassment: Visual harassment involves the display of inappropriate signs, posters, clothing, or any similar visual elements that convey offensive or disrespectful messages.

These comprehensive provisions ensure that a harassment policy addresses a wide spectrum of potential issues, serving as a crucial tool in maintaining a respectful and harmonious workplace.