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Course Description
Sexual harassment in the workplace has been well documented and numerous laws have been passed to protect employees, but one form of sexual harassment remains largely unaddressed. This course on Handling Customer or Client Sexual Harassment is intended to help you identify and effectively deal with sexual harassment committed by third parties, such as clients, customers, contractors, or vendors. You’ll also learn your legal rights and responsibilities, the responsibilities of your employer, how to file a complaint, what the complaint process entails, and how to keep yourself safe.
Unlawful sexual harassment in the workplace is not limited to the conduct of a colleague or supervisor. Employees are aware that sexual harassment from co-workers or supervisors is illegal but, what about sexual harassment from customers? When a customer, vendor or client harasses an employee, it is called third-party sexual harassment. This is also illegal, and employers must take steps to address this behavior. In a culture founded on the belief that “the customer is always right,” pointing out customer or client mistreatment of an employee might feel like bad business, but the EEOC has established that an employer can be held liable for harassment perpetrated by someone who is not an employee of the employer, such as a client or customer.
Learning Objectives
- Identify third-party inappropriate and harassing behaviors
- Discuss the causes of third-party sexual harassment
- Recall strategies for dealing with client or customer sexual harassment
- Explain employee rights and the reporting process
Skills You Will Learn
- Handling Confrontation
- Customer Service Training
- Hostile Work Environment
- Sexual Harassment Awareness
What You'll Learn
- Identify third-party inappropriate and harassing behaviors committed by customers, clients, contractors, or vendors
- Discuss the causes of third-party sexual harassment, including issues of familiarity, abusive conduct, and bullying
- Recall strategies for dealing with, responding to, and preventing client or customer sexual harassment
- Explain employee rights and the reporting process, including employer responsibilities
- Describe how to file a complaint with the EEOC and what the EEOC investigative process entails
- Recognize employee protections and remedies available when third-party harassment occurs
Key Takeaways
- Unlawful sexual harassment in the workplace is not limited to the conduct of a colleague or supervisor.
- When a customer, vendor, or client harasses an employee, it is called third-party sexual harassment, and it is also illegal.
- Employers must take steps to address third-party sexual harassment, and the EEOC has established that an employer can be held liable for harassment perpetrated by someone who is not an employee, such as a client or customer.
- The course covers employees' legal rights and responsibilities, the responsibilities of the employer, how to file a complaint, what the complaint process entails, and how to keep yourself safe.
- Although a culture built on the belief that the customer is always right can make addressing mistreatment feel like bad business, third-party harassment must still be addressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is third-party sexual harassment?
Third-party sexual harassment is sexual harassment committed by someone who is not an employee of the employer, such as a client, customer, contractor, or vendor. It is illegal, and employers must take steps to address this behavior.
Who is this course for?
This course is intended to help employees identify and effectively deal with sexual harassment committed by third parties such as clients, customers, contractors, or vendors, including learning their legal rights and how to keep themselves safe.
What will I learn about the complaint process?
You will learn how to file a complaint, what the complaint process entails, how to file a complaint with the EEOC, and what the EEOC investigative process involves, as well as employee protections and remedies.
Can an employer be held liable for harassment by a customer or client?
Yes. The EEOC has established that an employer can be held liable for harassment perpetrated by someone who is not an employee of the employer, such as a client or customer.
What skills does this course help develop?
The course supports skills in handling confrontation, customer service, recognizing a hostile work environment, and sexual harassment awareness.
