Mandatory sexual harassment prevention training for business supervisors now delves into modern forms of workplace discrimination: ageism, racism, & more.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA (May 28, 2009) - After decades of lawsuits & legislation, & the institution of mandatory biannual prevention training courses for supervisors, sexual harassment may lose its place at the top of the discrimination heap; the new office evil is ageism. United Staffing Associates in San Luis Obispo is responding by offering open enrollment for a new, comprehensive harassment prevention course.
Defined as terminating, demoting, or otherwise making employment decisions based on the age of an employee over 40-years-old, HR experts at United Staffing Associates (USA) in San Luis Obispo report that ageism is running rampant in this tough economic climate where replacing older, more expensive employees with younger, less experienced (& hence cheaper) workers might sound like a bright business idea. USA advises local companies to be on the watch for even subtle civil rights infringements that could lead to costly lawsuits.
Although age discrimination is not a novel development, studies by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) show that it is becoming more prevalent than ever. District Director Marie M. Tomasso of the EEOC's Philadelphia District Office said after a recent $80,000 ageism suit, "More than 40 years after the passage of the ADEA [Age Discrimination Employment Act], age discrimination charges represent one of the fastest-growing types of complaints filed with the EEOC nationally." The same press release (posted by the EEOC on May 13, 2009; http://www.eeoc.gov/press/5-13-09.html ) states that during Fiscal Year 2008, age discrimination charges surged to a record high: 24,582 - an increase of 29 percent from the prior fiscal year.
And, with a constantly changing & diverse society, ageism is not the only form of job discrimination spreading through present-day offices. Unfair treatment based on race, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, & other individual traits or characteristics is also increasing nationwide.
To deal with the shift in discriminatory tactics, United Staffing Associates has developed an up-to-date certification training course for business supervisors that targets common harassment pitfalls of today. "The workplace today is a far more complicated place than that of fifty, or even ten, years ago," says USA HR Consultant Betsey Nash. "The most controversial news in the office is not that a woman has been promoted to management; it's that a 65-year-old Middle Eastern woman in a wheelchair has been promoted. Times are changing, & our country's policies & HR training courses must change with them & prepare for the problems that could arise-for the sake of employees' civil rights, & for the sake of avoiding expensive lawsuits."
USA's Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors course, which is mandatory every two years for supervisors in businesses of 50 or more employees, & for new supervisors within 6 months of their promotion, sets out to do just that. Covering the required curriculum regarding sexual harassment prevention, the class will also provide practical strategies for preventing all kinds of harassment and disrespect that could develop with a modern, multifaceted work force.
Led by the engaging & intrepid Nash, the two-hour USA class includes a PowerPoint presentation; interactive student materials; proof of attendance; & a student certificate of completion. For those who shy away from interactive classes, an on-line version is available. For more information about United Staffing Associates' Harassment Prevention classes, contact Betsey at betsey.nash@UnitedWeStaff.com |
