Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Suite Addresses Unique Needs of Hospitality Industry
- A front desk supervisor’s manager insists that he come over to her apartment after work so she can see if he “has what it takes” to be promoted to assistant manager.
- A female line cook quits her job after enduring weeks of inappropriate comments, “locker room” talk, and objectification in an all-male kitchen at an upscale hotel.
- A beverage manager fends off repeated requests for dates from a supplier who says she “owes her” after accepting a bottle of wine.
These scenarios and more are featured in Sexual Harassment Prevention in the Hospitality Industry, the first suite of programs in the new ServSafe Workplace training platform. These interactive, digital training programs address sexual harassment and the harmful impact it has on individuals and businesses.
This hospitality-specific sexual harassment prevention training aligns with the goals of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s new 5-Star Promise initiative, which pledges to provide hotel employees across the U.S. with employee safety devices (ESDs) and commit to enhanced policies, trainings and resources that together are aimed at enhancing hotel safety, including preventing and responding to sexual harassment and assault. The third “star” of that initiative refers to the importance of having ongoing training and education for employees on identifying and reporting sexual harassment.
Rather than simply focusing on liability and legal repercussions, the new ServSafe Workplace sexual harassment prevention training puts a human face on sexual harassment and demonstrates its effect on both victims and bystanders using situations familiar to those working in hospitality. Stories are related from multiple perspectives (employee, manager, co-worker) to show the far-reaching impact sexual harassment has on businesses and individuals.
Key objectives of the employee version of the training include:
- Define sexual harassment and the two forms it can take.
- Understand the harmful impact sexual harassment can have on victims, businesses, and those who harass.
- Recognize conduct that’s appropriate, and not appropriate, for work.
- Understand when and how to report sexual harassment.
Building on the content in the employee program, the manager edition also focuses on the vital role managers play in creating and promoting a harassment-free workplace culture and provides them with the tools they need to respond confidently and appropriately to sexual harassment claims.
The new training, which can be purchased from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, is available in English and Spanish, and can be licensed by hotel organizations for company-wide training.
To learn more, visit www.ahlei.org/servsafe-workplace.
