Checklist: Anti-Harassment Program

Ask yourself the following questions to determine whether your employer's anti-harassment efforts really protect the organization and its employees. You should be able to answer "yes" to each item.

Do you have a policy in place that clearly defines acceptable workplace behavior?

Is that policy communicated effectively throughout the workplace, using workplace communication from posting to face-to-face discussion?

Do you train at least annually, including employees and management, and monitor the results of that training to confirm their understanding?

Do you maintain records of that training?

Are your complaint procedures designed to encourage people to come forward? Do they provide many avenues for reporting inappropriate behavior?

Does management's actions reinforce what is stated in your policy?

Is every complaint taken seriously, reported appropriately, and investigated aggressively?

If harassment is found, do you take immediate action to remedy it?

Do you follow up to make sure that harassment does not continue?

Do you protect against retaliation?