How can sexual harassment classes prevent lawsuits? 11-03-2005

Rita Risser replies:

Most harassment is unintentional, and a good class on sexual harassment will alert employees to forbidden conduct and prevent unintentional harassment from occurring. A good class on harassment also lets potential victims know what is harassment, and more importantly, what is not, thus preventing the filing of frivolous claims.

If a lawsuit is filed but you have a harassment prevention program that includes training, the case may be thrown out on the grounds that you took reasonable steps to prevent harassment. Even if it goes to trial and the victim wins, you may not be liable for punitive damages as a result of your training program.

Information here is correct at the time it is posted. Case decisions cited here may be reversed. Please do not rely on this information without consulting an attorney first.