Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Statistics
This presentation highlights the prevalence of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in workplaces, showcasing the impact on employees and organizations. It emphasizes the consequences of ignoring such claims, resulting in legal costs, settlements, low morale, and inefficiency. The data reveals a concerning increase in harassment and discrimination claims, necessitating vigilant prevention measures.
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Preventing Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation June 6, 2018
Claims of discrimination and/or harassment brought by multiple employees Claims ignored ignored HR and Legal turned a blind eye SUPERSTARS protected Blatant Blatant retaliation retaliation aimed at women who brought claims
Millions of dollars spent in defense costs Millions of dollars spent on settlements Low morale/bad reputation Distraction and inefficiency in the workplace Stress for all involved as witnesses
12,428 harassment claims in 2017 996 Equal Pay Act claims in 2017
171 sex discrimination claims in 2017 Up from 139 in 2016 36% of all IHRC claims received
On a local level, harassment claims have gone up 7% since October 1, 2017. Idaho Human Rights Commission Director Dr. Ben Earwicker
2013-2016 Employment Claims $4,000,000.00 $3,500,000.00 $3,000,000.00 $2,500,000.00 $2,000,000.00 $1,500,000.00 $1,000,000.00 $500,000.00 $- www.ICRMP.org
1. Homogenous workforce. Lack of diversity. 2. Young workforces. 3. Workplaces with super stars or high value employees. 4. Workplaces with significant power disparities. 5. Workplaces where work is monotonous or tasks are low- intensity. 6. Isolated workplaces. 7. Workplaces that encourage alcohol consumption. 8. Decentralized workplace with main office far away.
SUPERVISORS harassment they observe, that is reported to them, or of which they have knowledge. SUPERVISORS need to know how to deal with Need clear instructions on how to report it up the chain of command. Need to set the example and the tone.
EEOC wants all employees trained on a repeat EEOC wants all employees trained on a repeat basis. basis. Training needs to describe illegal Training needs to describe illegal harassment. harassment. Needs to educate employees about rights and responsibilities. Needs to educate employees about rights and responsibilities. Should cover reporting Should cover reporting procedure. procedure. Should explain consequences of unacceptable conduct Should explain consequences of unacceptable conduct
1.Should be supported at the highest level. 2. Conducted by qualified, live trainers. 3. Should include examples tailored to the specific workplace and specific workforce.
Is your handbook up-to-date? Is your anti-discrimination / anti- retaliation policies in conformance with IHRC/EEOC guidelines?
1. Needs to say harassment based on any protected class will not be tolerated. 2. Needs examples of prohibited conduct. 3.Should describe reporting system, with promise to investigate. 4.Should strive to maintain confidentiality, to the extent possible. 5. Must require immediate action. 6. Must prohibit retaliation 7. Must be written in clear, simple words, in all languages of workforce. Must prohibit retaliation.
1. Employers policy must provide for prompt and thorough investigation. 2. Employer must take this promise seriously. 3. Workplace environment must make employees feel safe to report. 4. Investigators must be trained and neutral. 5. Investigators must know how to document and create a report. 6. Procedures must be in place to prevent retaliation 7. Due process no presumption of guilt. Instead, investigation must be mechanism for determination. 8. Must include communication to complainant and respondent. Procedures must be in place to prevent retaliation.
The era of assuming harassment and discrimination are HR issues is over. Management needs to participate in training and to set the example of what is expected of all employees. Civility and respect must be demanded. Consider respectful workplace policy and related training.
Idaho Protection of Public Employees Act I.C. 6-2101-2109 Idaho Human Rights Act (IHRA) EEOC 26
Employee filed a charge or Testified, assisted or participated in any Protected Activity: Investigation Proceeding or Litigation
Employer took an adverse action against the employee; Employer took an adverse action against the employee; and and There is a protected activity and the adverse action. There is a causal protected activity and the adverse action. causal connection connection between between the the
Maintain a written, plain policy. Maintain a written, plain- -language retaliation policy. language retaliation Policy features a complaint procedure that does not deter employees from reporting suspected discrimination or harassment. Policy features a complaint procedure that does not deter employees from reporting suspected discrimination or harassment.
Train/inform Train/inform everyone everyone on the policy (including investigators). on the policy (including investigators). Provide anti investigation of a discrimination complaint. Provide anti- -retaliation information to everyone involved in an investigation of a discrimination complaint. retaliation information to everyone involved in an Proactive follow Proactive follow- -up if a complaint of retaliation is made. up if a complaint of retaliation is made.
HR or Legal Counsel should review all proposed employment actions; HR or Legal Counsel should review all proposed employment actions; Contact ICRMP M Monitor all investigations. Contact ICRMP a great resource a great resource you should use; and you should use; and onitor all investigations.
1. 2. All of your employees know your policies. 3. Employees are regularly trained on the policies. 4. Policies are uniformly applied. 5. You take care of your employees. 6. Employees are treated fairly. 1. You 2. All of your employees know your policies. 3. Employees are regularly trained on the policies. 4. Policies are uniformly applied. 5. You take care of your employees. 6. Employees are treated fairly. You have good, updated policies. have good, updated policies.
Legitimate, non Legitimate, non- -discriminatory discriminatory reason for the action. reason for the action. Show that male and female comparators were not performing substantially the same Show that male and female comparators were not performing substantially the same work. work. Show legitimate reasons for pay differences etc Show legitimate reasons for pay differences tenure, performance, etc. . tenure, performance, Show employer recognizes and enforces anti harassment Show all employees employer recognizes and enforces anti- -discrimination and anti harassment laws. all employees are treated fairly, workplace is professional, laws. are treated fairly, workplace is professional, discrimination and anti- - Employer will not tolerate or engage in retaliation. Employer will not tolerate or engage in retaliation.
