Harassment Prevention Training: Designing Programs for Positive Behavior Change

Workplace harassment can have devastating consequences – which is why harassment prevention training is so important. Victims of harassment can experience long-term emotional and physical effects. Organizations where harassment goes unchecked often experience morale problems, reduced productivity, and high turnover. 

Unfortunately, harassment in the workplace often goes unreported. Research shows that only one in five workers who experience sexual harassment or assault actually report it – leaving the majority of cases unaddressed. One of the most effective solutions to reducing the silence and creating a safer workplace is providing ongoing harassment prevention training. Done well, it can help mitigate inappropriate behavior in the workplace and give employees the tools and confidence needed to seek help and intervene properly.  

What should harassment prevention training cover? 

The best online harassment prevention training helps employees understand what harassment, discrimination, bullying, cyberbullying, and bias look like, including subtle behaviors that may go unnoticed. It also teaches employees how to intervene safely if they witness inappropriate behavior.   

It is important that harassment prevention training includes clear instructions on how employees can make a report. Often this includes going to a manager or using a designated reporting channel. Emphasis should be placed on the measures the organization takes to protect confidentiality and protect reporters from retaliation. 

Harassment prevention training should also educate employees on what to expect after they make a report and during an investigation. It is important that they know reports will be taken seriously, handled confidentially, and tracked through resolution.  

Employees should also be made aware of the organization’s policies regarding workplace harassment, as well as any relevant laws applicable in their region. 

What types of harassment prevention training work best? 

The best online harassment prevention training for employees uses realistic and relatable situations, especially those that address gray areas—like when compliments or jokes go too far or the appropriateness of tagging a colleague on social media.  

Successful harassment prevention training mixes formats – such as microlearning, short videos, interactive simulations, and role plays – and is accessible on any device, in multiple languages, to reach deskless workers and global teams.  

The key to success is engaging employees. Harassment prevention training works best when it is ongoing, interactive, backed by leadership, and designed to shift attitudes while setting clear expectations. 

Legal Implications 

Many countries have laws that hold companies accountable to prevent and report workplace harassment.  

• India: The Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act mandates companies with 10 or more employees to establish an Internal Complaints Committee. Employers must conduct awareness training and display policy information. 
• United Kingdom: Under the Equality Act 2010, which was updated by the Worker Protection Act 2023, employees must take reasonable steps to prevent workplace harassment via things like training and clear policies.
• Australia: Through the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and Respect at Work reforms, employees must take both reasonable and proportionate measures to prevent sexual harassment and similar misconduct. Enforcing compliance is the Australian Human Rights Commission.

• United States: Under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), employers are required to take reasonable care to prevent harassment, establish clear reporting procedures, investigate complaints, and protect employees from retaliation. In addition, several states have mandatory harassment prevention training laws. 

Final Thoughts 

Harassment prevention training is most effective when it is part of a larger effort to build a culture of respect. An organization’s policies and code of conduct should reflect the company’s commitment to integrity, respect, inclusion, and ethical behavior. Policies should use plain language to clearly outline expectations and consequences for violations. 

Leaders and managers play an important role in fostering a culture of respect by modeling appropriate behavior. It is also important that leaders show that accountability applies to everyone equally. 

When an organization has strong policies in place and commitment from leadership, harassment prevention training becomes part of an overall strategy to build an ethical workplace culture.