Workplace Sexual Harassment – E-Learning

Module 1 – Understanding Workplace Sexual Harassment
• What is sexual harassment?
• Understanding unwanted conduct of a sexual nature
• When does behaviour become inappropriate?
• Verbal sexual harassment
• Non-verbal sexual harassment
• Physical sexual harassment
• Written and visual conduct
• Digital and online behaviour
• Sexual jokes and comments
• Unwanted advances
• Requests for sexual favours
• Understanding the impact on individuals
Under the Employment Equality Acts, sexual harassment includes unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that violates a person's dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

Module 2 – Recognising Sexual Harassment
• Unwanted sexual comments
• Comments about appearance or body
• Sexual jokes and remarks
• Unwanted touching
• Sexual gestures
• Displaying inappropriate images
• Sexual messages or emails
• Unwanted invitations or advances
• Repeated unwanted contact
• Requests for sexual attention
• Inappropriate workplace conversations
• Practical workplace examples

Module 3 – Respect, Boundaries & Professional Behaviour
• Understanding personal boundaries
• Respectful workplace behaviour
• Professional communication
• Recognising unwanted behaviour
• Respecting personal and professional space
• Understanding power and authority
• Manager and employee relationships
• Avoiding assumptions
• Respecting individual choices
• Maintaining appropriate workplace relationships

Module 4 – Sexual Harassment Across Different Work Environments
• Traditional workplace environments
• Remote and hybrid working
• Emails and messaging platforms
• Video meetings
• Social media
• Workplace parties and social events
• Business travel
• Training events
• Client and customer interactions
• Third-party interactions
• Sexual harassment outside normal working hours
• Understanding work-related contexts
The IHREC Code of Practice provides guidance for employers, organisations, trade unions and employees on employment-related sexual harassment and harassment, including prevention and procedures for dealing with concerns.

Module 5 – Impact of Workplace Sexual Harassment
• Emotional impact
• Workplace stress
• Loss of confidence
• Effects on workplace relationships
• Impact on productivity and engagement
• Impact on team morale
• Organisational reputation
• Creating a culture where inappropriate behaviour is not normalised
• Supporting colleagues appropriately
• Importance of early intervention

Module 6 – What To Do If You Experience Sexual Harassment
• Recognising your options
• Speaking up where appropriate
• Setting boundaries
• Keeping a record of incidents
• Reporting concerns
• Speaking with a manager
• Contacting HR or a designated person
• Informal and formal procedures
• Seeking appropriate support
• Confidentiality and privacy
• What happens after a complaint
• Protection against inappropriate retaliation

Module 7 – What To Do If You Witness Sexual Harassment
• Understanding the role of a bystander
• Recognising concerning behaviour
• Safe intervention
• Direct intervention
• Indirect intervention
• Interrupting inappropriate behaviour
• Supporting the person affected
• Reporting concerns
• Seeking management or HR support
• When not to intervene directly
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Avoiding gossip and speculation

Module 8 – Employer, Manager & Employee Responsibilities
• Employer responsibilities
• Employee responsibilities
• Manager responsibilities
• Workplace policies
• Prevention and awareness
• Training and communication
• Reporting procedures
• Handling complaints appropriately
• Supporting employees
• Taking concerns seriously
• Preventing recurrence
• Creating a respectful workplace culture
The IHREC Code of Practice promotes policies and procedures designed to establish workplaces free from harassment and where everyone's dignity is respected. It also provides guidance on prevention and ensuring adequate procedures are available to deal with complaints and prevent recurrence.

Module 9 – Creating a Respectful Workplace
• Building a culture of respect
• Appropriate workplace communication
• Challenging inappropriate comments
• Respecting personal boundaries
• Preventing the normalisation of inappropriate behaviour
• Encouraging people to raise concerns
• Supporting colleagues
• Leadership responsibilities
• Positive workplace behaviours
• Practical workplace scenarios
• Creating a harassment-free environment

Final Assessment
Assessment Structure
• Multiple-choice questions
• Questions covering the key areas of the course
• Knowledge checks throughout the modules
• Practical workplace scenarios
• Final assessment upon completion
Pass Mark
70%
Failure Handling
If a learner does not achieve the required pass mark, they can:
• Review the relevant course modules
• Revisit the learning material
• Retake the assessment
• Up to 3 assessment attempts

This course is suitable for:

• All employees and new starters
• Managers and supervisors
• HR and People teams
• Team leaders
• Senior management
• Customer-facing employees
• Administrative and office staff
• Remote and hybrid workers
• Employees working with clients and customers
• Employees attending work-related events
• Anyone responsible for workplace culture
• Employees seeking greater awareness of workplace sexual harassment

Recognising Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is not always obvious. Employees need to understand the different forms inappropriate behaviour can take.

Promoting Respect
Training helps employees understand the importance of professional behaviour, personal boundaries and respectful communication.

Supporting Employees
Employees should know what steps they can take if they experience or witness sexual harassment.

Encouraging Early Reporting
Clear awareness of reporting options can help employees raise concerns at an early stage.

Supporting Managers
Managers and supervisors need to understand their responsibilities when concerns are raised and know when to seek HR or other appropriate guidance.

Creating a Positive Workplace Culture
A workplace where inappropriate behaviour is recognised and addressed appropriately can help promote dignity, respect and employee wellbeing.

Supporting Legal & Organisational Responsibilities
Awareness training can form part of an organisation's wider approach to equality, harassment prevention, workplace policies and employee training. The Employment Equality Acts cover harassment and victimisation at work, while the IHREC Code of Practice provides practical guidance on prevention and complaint procedures.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
• Understand what workplace sexual harassment means
• Recognise different forms of sexual harassment
• Identify inappropriate verbal, non-verbal, physical and digital behaviour
• Understand the importance of workplace boundaries and respect
• Recognise unwanted conduct of a sexual nature
• Understand the impact of sexual harassment on individuals and organisations
• Recognise harassment in different workplace situations
• Understand employee responsibilities
• Understand the role of managers and supervisors
• Know how to respond if they experience or witness sexual harassment
• Understand reporting and complaint procedures
• Recognise the importance of confidentiality and appropriate support
• Understand key Irish equality legislation and guidance
• Contribute to a respectful workplace culture

Online E-Learning
• 100% online learning
• Self-paced course delivery
• Interactive learning modules
• Practical workplace examples
• Real-world scenarios
• Bystander scenarios
• Knowledge checks
• Final multiple-choice assessment
• Flexible online access
• Suitable for individual and group training

The course introduces key Irish legislation and guidance relating to workplace sexual harassment, including:

• Employment Equality Acts 1998–2015
• Equality Act 2004
• Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014
• Code of Practice on Sexual Harassment and Harassment at Work – 2022
• Workplace Relations Commission guidance
• Workplace equality and anti-harassment principles
• Employer and employee responsibilities
• Workplace complaint and grievance procedures

The Employment Equality Acts prohibit discrimination in employment and cover areas including harassment and victimisation. The legislation applies to employees in both the public and private sectors as well as applicants for employment and training.

Samson Training provides professional workplace training designed to help organisations develop employee awareness, respectful behaviour and positive workplace cultures.

Our approach focuses on:

• Practical workplace sexual harassment awareness
• Irish equality principles
• Respectful workplace behaviour
• Personal and professional boundaries
• Bystander awareness
• Reporting and complaint awareness
• Manager and employee responsibilities
• Practical workplace scenarios
• Remote and online working considerations
• Flexible online learning
• Training suitable for employees at different levels

Our e-learning format allows organisations to provide consistent workplace sexual harassment awareness training across their workforce while giving employees the flexibility to complete training online.

What is Workplace Sexual Harassment Training?
This course provides employees with practical awareness of sexual harassment, inappropriate workplace behaviour, professional boundaries, reporting procedures and appropriate responses.

Who should complete this course?
The course is suitable for all employees, managers, supervisors, HR teams and anyone working within an organisation.

How long does the course take?
The course takes approximately 45–60 minutes to complete, depending on the learner and their pace.

Is the course delivered online?
Yes. The course is delivered through flexible, self-paced online e-learning.

What is workplace sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment involves unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that violates a person's dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.