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PATTERNS in Training Media ReviewPATTERNS approaches the topic of sexual harassment as a behavioral issue. It reviews ways to prevent sexual harassment as well as skills needed to respond to potentially harassing situations. The three programs in the series are Preventing Sexual Harassment for all employees; Responding to Sexual Harassment for organizational leadership; and Rights & Responsibilities, a new employee orientation program.Preventing Sexual Harassment The video begins with a discussion of the definition of sexual harassment and then presents behaviors associated with sexual harassment as well as a discussion of the impact on the individual and organization. Then, through a series of vignettes, we take a closer look at inappropriate patterns of behavior and how to respond to them. Each vignette provides clear and explicit examples of inappropriate workplace behavior and is followed by comprehensive explanations of why the behaviors constitute sexual harassment. The video concludes with an overview of ways to address harassing situations as well as reasons that people being harassed do not report. We see several instances of employees addressing inappropriate behavior, reporting instances to either Human Resources or management. Some examples of language choice are: when you & I feel &. and I need you to &. Retaliation is also discussed. Responding to Sexual Harassment Several examples of sexual harassment are demonstrated such as unwelcome conduct based on gender and sexual interest; severe or pervasive conduct; and offensive conduct. Each of these is followed by both effective and ineffective managerial responses. There is a comprehensive discussion of ineffective management responses to inappropriate behavior. Attorneys and human resource professionals review each situation and present more effective responses. Their responses are presented as analogies to animal behavior. The ostrich avoids confronting inappropriate behavior, while the chameleon is a really difficult one to express; we all know, I believe intuitively, when we ve gone too far. (Frankly, I am still confused about that one.) The mother hen overreacts to reports of harassing behavior, and the wounded tiger stays away from the person that reported the incident. Retaliation is discussed at length. The video concludes with a reinforcement of managerial responsibility with regard to harassment: the manager is responsible for acting on any situation involving harassing behavior, and she or he must investigate in a fair and objective manner. Rights and Responsibilities The third video in the series gives a broad overview of sexual harassment to new employees. Everything about this video is well done. The employees are diverse, and a nice overview of what sexual harassment means is given. In addition, the discussion around impact is comprehensive. The viewer is left with an understanding of how harassment is damaging to the person being harassed, the harasser, the work group, and the organization. The program looks closely at employee rights and responsibilities in this area. Employees have a right to say something and a responsibility to stop inappropriate behavior that they may be committing or that they observe. This video has good examples of inappropriate behavior with a discussion of intent versus impact. Impact is discussed with regard to the victim, others affected by the behavior, and the organization. The video concludes with a discussion about how respect allows everyone to do his or her best work. This video provides a good overview of sexual harassment. It would be a welcome addition to any new employee orientation program. For maximum effectiveness, I would recommend that any organization using the program have a policy of a harassment-free workplace, a harassment reporting mechanism, and someone skilled in facilitating a discussion of harassment. Recommendation I recommend the purchase of PATTERNS as part of an organizational sexual harassment program. The videos are descriptive and entertaining. Production quality is outstanding, the actors diverse, and the dialogue realistic. The main caution I have concerns some problematic statements in the video. Examples are the smitten harasser is the easiest kind of harasser to rehabilitate; an employee can report [an incident] to a co-worker; and the use of the word Feminazi. Each can pose a potential problem for a facilitator. Product Ratings
Training Media Review For nearly 10 years, Training Media Review has been providing the training community with objective reviews of content and supporting technologies. All of our reviewers are training professionals. Our reviews and reports are never funded or subsidized by vendors. www.tmreview.com www.trainingmediareview.com Toll free phone: 877.532.1838 Copyright © 2002 by TMR Publications. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the written consent of the publisher. |
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