Employers have to think about many things just to keep their business running. Everything from dealing with employees to marketing plans may be part of your responsibilities as an employer, and this means you may not have much room to think about preventing certain types of legal problems. In reality, it is worthwhile to take the time to think about what you can do to protect your company.
Claims and allegations of misconduct in your place of work can be detrimental. Even if they are untrue, just the hint of sexual harassment can have a devastating impact on your company’s reputation and your employee-employer relationship. There are steps you can take that will allow you to shield your business interests and minimize the chance that a sexual harassment incident will take place.
Steps to a better workplace
Workplace harassment often involves unwanted physical contact or verbal aggression directed to a specific person. Often, this behavior is sexually motivated or the result of a person’s gender. Employers will want to clearly state expectations of positive interactions and mutual respect for every person who works at the company. Some of the ways you can do this for your business include:
- If you do not already have a policy regarding employee behavior, you should consider writing one. If you have one, it is important to ensure that everyone understands it and agrees to abide by its terms.
- You may have to have a training session that specifically addresses harassment in the workplace. This includes how to treat each other and what to do in case of a misunderstanding or incident.
- If there is an allegation of harassment, you should take it seriously. Investigate it thoroughly and listen carefully to the concerns of your employees. If there is evidence of wrongdoing, take care of it immediately.
When writing a police report regarding sexual harassment in your company or dealing with a claim from an employee, you may find it beneficial to seek experienced legal guidance. These are complex legal issues that can impact your business for years to come, and you do not have to handle it alone.
The effort you make to have preventative measures in place is well worth it. When you can minimize the chance of something happening, you can make your company a better place to work. You will also be protecting your New Jersey company, which can save you time, money and considerable stress in the future.