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IMPACT OF DEI TRAINING ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN WORKPLACE

Dhwija Shah

Updated: Apr 3, 2024

“When we’re talking about diversity, it’s not a box to check. It is a reality that should be deeply felt and held and valued by all of us.”

– Ava DuVernay


Diversity equity and inclusion training, or DEI are courses designed to educate employees regarding the various aspects of diversity and how a lack of inclusion can affect how a certain organization functions. While all of us are taught in school about how India is a country that is unique, it has a certain unity in diversity, however most people do not fully understand what that would entail. DEI training is important because this topic has far more depth than what is generally assumed by employees when they are brought into an organization. This training helps employees understand different forms of unconscious prejudice or bias that may occur and how the employees are to tackle the same, in order to create a more friendly and healthier work environment for the organization.


Embracing diversity in the workplace is valuable for several different reasons. If an organisation is diverse, they tend to retain more employees for a longer period of time, along with improved productivity. It also gives a wide range of ideas which also contribute to better innovation. Even though several organisations preach regarding the importance of diversity, the same is rarely reflected in their training. Since unconscious prejudice or bias is not a consideration when most employees make decisions, they often go in the opposite direction of workplace diversity. An effective DEI program, helps employees understand the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of their bias and provides them with effective tools in order to combat the same. When employees are educated regarding these biases, they are more likely to make logical decisions rather than ones based on instinct.[1]


There are various legislations such as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 (and its successor, the Code on Wages, 2019), the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which are in essence anti-discriminatory legislations. However, due to the lack of awareness, these laws lack bite. Even though it should be expected that employers look beyond the scope of these legislations in order to create a more inclusive work environment, that is seldom the case.[2]


There are several studies that are conducted regarding the effectiveness of these DEI programs which have stated that DEI programs have a definitive positive effect on the financial performance of an organisation. One such example could be seen where multinational conglomerates embrace the idea of ‘Pride Month’ in order to be more inclusive towards the LGBTQIA+ community. There are also websites that have DEI rankings put out by organisations such as 'Great Place to Work' which employers take into account as they see it as a way to attract and invite more talent into the workplace, which in turn improves their engagement with the general public and adds value to the brand.


It must be noted that DEI training programs and structures to implement the same should not be developed or implemented in a vacuum as they reflect both the company and society as a whole. They do, however, offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for business leaders, policy experts, lawyers, activists, and academics to come together and be at the forefront of change.


How DEI training affects Sexual Harassment in the workplace


It can be seen that employers conduct PoSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Training sessions already. This in particular is effective to the extent of providing basic knowledge about sexual harassment and does not by itself aid a lot in preventing sexual harassment.[3] As we progress as a society, it can be seen that social media movements as well as the general public moves in a direction where all human beings are respected and treated fairly, regardless of their identity. DEI and Sexual harassment prevention are built on the principles of respect, fairness, and decency. Since both of these focus on changing behaviour and thinking, they end up becoming complementary to one another. In all cases, the goal is to create an environment that encourages employees to feel safe, at ease, and involved.[4]


According to a study conducted by the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – United States), it was noted that workplaces that have lesser diversity, have higher rates of sexual harassment of women in the workplace. In the report it was noted that any kind of harassment is more likely to occur where one particular group is prominent and sexual harassment was more likely to occur in organisations where there were a majority of male employees. The aforementioned could be addressed by having DEI training sessions where employees are put more at ease and a respectful environment is created.[5]


It is also beneficial for organisations if they integrate the DEI and Sexual harassment training programs as both have similar objectives where the ideals of respect, equity and civility are used to eliminate the prevalent behaviour and thinking. It is also financially more feasible, which gives organisations an incentive to adopt the same.


It has been noted that workplaces that adopted this new integrated method of training, saw more effective results than they did with PoSH training alone. This also further assisted in making the employees culturally competent, which led to more fruitful interactions and saw a decline in unpleasant and aggressive conduct as well. It also further helps eliminate the societal idea of gender inequality. According to a survey conducted, It was noted that 80% of respondents believed that diversity and inclusion were crucial to a productive workplace and happier employees.[6]


Conclusion


As part of a holistic plan to stop workplace harassment of women, DEI training gives companies more opportunities to reaffirm shared values, promote good behaviours and inclusive thinking, and improve knowledge of unconscious biases and how to address them. DEI training may also be of help in making the process of reporting incidents of sexual harassment easier as it aims to ensure that opinions, views, experiences and voices are respectfully heard.


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