Workplace Bullying, Harassment, and Sexual Harassment

Bullying, and in particular, Workplace Bullying are more and more becoming topics of discussion these days.  In fact, WorksafeBC will be allowing bullying disability claims and are now in the process of developing tools for employers to implement to prevent bullying in the workplace.  Here is a great article outlining more details:

http://www.bcbusinessonline.ca/legal/recognizing-effects-workplace-bullying

I have found that one of the most effective ways of dealing with the employer's duty to deal with bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment is to take a proactive positive approach to this topic.  Many organizations have used the strict legal approach to the topics of harassment and sexual harassment.  Employees often leave training sessions such as this fearful that they can't even talk to each other or have fun at work.  This defeats the true intent and can put limiting factors on a creative and enjoyable work environment.  My approach in dealing with clients has always been to deal with this topic in a positive way.  The training sessions are fun and interactive and are called "Respectful Workplace Workshops".  This sounds so much better than "Harassment Seminars".  Although these sessions seem light and upbeat, the message gets clearly delivered that bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment will not be tolerated.  Also, all the legal issues are fully addressed through training and the Respectful Workplace Policy/Guidelines.

Here is an outline of how I usually approach this sensitive topic in a short 45 minute workshop:

• Link the training to the organization's core values
• Define why it is important to have a Respectful Workplace (Group Work)
• Define Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Bullying
• Review the Law in Canada - Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Human Rights Legislation, etc.
• Provide a "Test" for determining if harassment has taken place
• Work through a Respectful Workplace Quiz outlining different workplace scenarios
• Provide a copy of the Respectful Workplace Policy/Guidelines
• Answer any questions

These sessions are fun and interactive.  Attendees always leave the room enlightened on the topic with a new sense of the importance of analyzing their behaviour at work.  It is a positive experience that helps the effectiveness of any organization.

www.peopleinsights.com

The Secret of the Great Workplace

I think this is an excellent summary of the elements of a Great Workplace.  I especially like the model in this blog outling The Dimensions of a Great Place to Work.  This is a short article and well worth the read.

Great Workplace

After you have reviewed this, you may want to ensure that these ideas are abundant in your organization.  There are several ways to do this and People Insights can help. 

People Insights, Inc. Website

Making the Workplace GREAT!

Some thoughts on improving your workplace

People in leading organizations often talk about how great it is to work where they work.  Others working in poor work environments listen in envy and often don"t even believe that a workplace can be a great place to spend a good portion of your life.  Based on my experience, here are some key elements of a Great Place to Work:

• The leadership of the organization truly believes in their people.
• Complacency is not tolerated.
• People are given the opportunity to learn and grow.
• Respect is pervasive throughout the organization.
• People's ideas are listened to and truly valued.
• Open and honest communications are part of the core values and operating framework of the organization.
• The direction of the organization through its mission, vision, and core values are clearly communicated and understood by all.
• People are recognized and rewarded for their contributions.
• Leadership is encouraged, expected, and supported throughout all levels of the organization.
• Teamwork is part of the organizational culture.
• Performance criteria are clearly defined and results are expected.
• People are very approachable and open to new ideas and suggestions; they like to be challenged.
• People at all levels are empowered to do the right thing.
• The organization is a fun place to work.

With the expected upcoming shortage of labour in the future, these elements are critical to any organization's success.  A small investment in these areas today will result in a huge payoff for your business in the future.

www.peopleinsights.com

 

Upcoming Labour Shortage

Is your organization prepared for the upcoming Labour Shortage? Are you putting the right processes in place to ensure that your company will be able to attract and retain the best talent? Although this would not appear to be an immediate issue, things done today will help your organization succeed in the future. Check out this article to get some ideas.

http://peopleinsights.com/images/Newsletter%20Labour%20Shortage.pdf

The Hiring Process

I read an interesting article today truly outlining my progressive view of the hiring process. It continues to amaze me how short term companies think with respect to hiring. There is no investment in the future and the focus is only on hiring when there is a need. I am very concerned that as the world comes out of recession, dissatisfied employees will leave and unprepared organizations will be unable to attract quality people. People Insights had developed several creative ways to avoid the upcoming challenge of finding quality people as the economy improves. It means a bit of investment now that will pay huge dividends when things get better. Imagine being in a position where your organization has NO problem attracting people, even in a tight market for talent.

What can you do to keep great employees

As a bit of a follow up to the last blog entry, here are some ideas you can consider to keep employees as minimum wage increases in BC.

http://peopleinsights.com/images/newsletter%20Keeping%20Excellent%20EEs.pdf

Check it out.

Minimum Wage Increases

How do minimum wage increases in BC affect your business? For most businesses, this is not an issue, however, small retail businesses can be hurt by increased labour costs. Although some would argue against the planned rapid increases in the minimum wage in BC, it is a fact that this is currently the lowest minimum wage in our country. So, what are the biggest issues.

Most wages in BC are already above the proposed new minimum wages. There are feelings that the new increases will prompt employees to ask for increases based on the minimum wage increases. Based on past experience, this is generally not the case. In previous minimum wage increases, most wages do not increase. Although lower paid individuals may request an increase, their choice is either to accept what they are making or move to another organization. However, the competitive free market has already created a higher wage than minimum already, so it will be the market that will determine the price of labour. Given that, the increase in minimum wage should not have any significant increase in market rates for lower paying jobs.

In order to overcome these perceived challenges, organizations only need to ensure that they have a great work atmosphere for their employees. This will be discussed in a future blog, but, alas, there is no need to worry about the new minimum wage in BC.