direct tv lawsuits 2009
How To Keep An Office Party From Becoming A Lawsuit
By Darrell L. Browning
Everything was going so great at the going-away office party until a slap-in-the-face permeated the festivities followed by loud, angry shouting.
Think it can’t happen at your place? To ensure it does not, try these preventative measures:
- Remind Employees that Sexual Harassment is Not Acceptable. Point to existing policies and tell employees the holiday season is no excuse for violating company policy.
- Have a Written, Hard-Copy Policy. Hand it out. Summarize it. Make sure people see it after employee orientation.
- Appeal to Their Self-Interests. What does everyone want? Respect. You don’t get that if you don’t give it. Make that a tenet of your company every day of the year.
- Train the People in Charge. Move beyond setting the example. Your front line of defense begins with management personnel. These people should be trained–with competent legal input- -how to handle sexual harassment situations.
- Be Hip. But Not too Hip. The office should be a place of work–even during holiday parties. What works on TV does not translate very well to the real world. Communicate that what happens on the sitcom is cute, but not at your company.
- Link Anti-Sexual Harassment Polices to Other Values. Use this holiday period as an opportunity to expand on the character of your company. Link what you say to strategic goals of the organization.
- Take Direct Action about What is Acceptable During Holiday Parties. If you don’t want your employees to drink too much, limit the bar, for example.
For more information see http://www.browninglafrankie.com.
©BrowningLaFrankie 2009
About the Author
Darrell L. Browning is a principal founder of BrowningLaFrankie LLC, a Philadelphia-area based company specializing in helping companies manage crises, train leaders in media and presentation skills and facilitate strategic change through leadership development training, organizational development workshops and individual coaching. Browning is the trainer-of-choice at The Wharton School MBA Program at the University of Pennsylvania in crisis communications, media training and business writing. Browning has more than 20 years of media experience with CBS-Radio, daily newspapers and national magazines. He holds degrees in Journalism and Social Sciences from The Ohio State University. For more information see http://www.browninglafrankie.com.
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