Huge monetary settlements have been awarded as a result of incidents of discrimination and harassment between a supervisor and a subordinate or due to management’s failure to identify and address issues of discrimination in a timely and appropriate manner.

The EEO Challenge e-learning course is an innovative approach to a challenging topic. Its creative design actively engages supervisors and managers as they deal with diverse and complex issues related to EEO compliance and the law. Unlike many courses on this topic, the EEO Challenge is not a boring recitation of the law. Rather, it is a self-directed activity that encourages participants to uncover valuable guidance as they climb the EEO mountain and progress from the base camp to the summit. Using several well-known game formats, participants will be required to get certain information correct to advance to the next level as they learn:

• How to recognize harassment and discrimination in the workplace
• Understanding their role and responsibility in preventing unlawful harassment and discrimination in the workplace
• Understanding the legal and practical ramifications of harassment and discrimination in the workplace
• Where to get help when needed
• How to handle discrimination and harassment complaints
• Understanding the investigation process and their role during the investigation

The course structure includes the liberal use of company-relevant vignettes to bring reality into the course and specific issues that your organization faces can be easily added. Various case law principles are featured to ensure understanding of the legal and practical ramifications of harassment and discrimination in the workplace. And, although the incorporation of the “gaming” approach into the instructional design of the course adds a somewhat “entertaining” focus, the course very clearly demonstrates the seriousness of the topic.

Learning important information does not need to be boring and a spirit of competitiveness keeps learners attentive. Dare we say that your managers and supervisors might actually enjoy learning about the all important subject of Employment Discrimination and Harassment Prevention?

Give it a try and see what you think…. And remember, you can always hit the ‘retry’ button if you are surprised that you don’t know as much as you think.

How to recognize harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

• What constitutes harassment and discrimination? (Terms and Definitions)
• Workplace protections.
• Who is protected?
• Conduct that may be inappropriate that leads to harassment and discrimination.
• Whose perspective matters?
• What to do when you are told your behavior is offensive or harassing.

Understanding Managers’/Supervisors’ roles and responsibilities in preventing unlawful harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

• Who is considered a supervisor?
• Where is the workplace?
• Who is responsible for preventing harassment and discrimination in the workplace?
• Supervisory staff role in preventing harassment and discrimination.
• Identifying early signs of potential harassment and discrimination for prevention.
• Techniques for preventing harassment and discrimination are discussed.

Understand the legal and practical ramifications of harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

• What the federal and state laws say about harassment and discrimination.
• Understanding the company’s ordinances and policies regarding harassment and discrimination.
• Who can be liable for harassment and discrimination?
• Possible consequences of harassment and discrimination.

Getting Help when needed.

• Employee rights and responsibilities.
• Knowing how and where to get assistance.
• Understanding the organization’s complaint process.

How to handle discrimination and harassment complaints.

• Supervisory staff responsibilities when handing complaints.
• Understanding the organization’s procedures for handling harassment and discrimination complaints.
• Ensuring employees are not retaliated against.

Understanding the investigation process and Managers’/Supervisors’ role during the investigation.

• Why it is important to investigate.
• Know the difference between internal and external investigations and the supervisor’s role.
• Dispute and Resolution/Mediation.
• What’s considered an effective investigation?
• Goals of the investigation.