University Human Resources is rolling out a new mandatory online course called Preventing Workplace Harassment.
The course is designed to help foster an inclusive culture that embraces the GW Values. The training begins with a welcome message from President Steven Knapp in which he emphasizes the university’s commitment to “maintaining an environment free of any form of harassment and to creating a campus culture that fosters respect for all members of our community.” The online format will help staff members apply the university’s policies by providing examples, interactive exercises and a mastery test to review learning. Employees also have the opportunity to provide feedback about the course.
On March 21, all benefits-eligible staff will receive an email about the new training that will provide instructions for accessing the course and contact information for obtaining assistance.
Staff can complete the course at their own pace within a 60-day timeline. University Human Resources estimates it will take most employees approximately one hour. “Participants will find that this training helps them to identify prohibited harassing behaviors, including sexual harassment, and encourages them to promote a healthy work environment,” said Beth Nolan, senior vice president and general counsel. “Our senior administrators have been very supportive of this effort sponsored by Sabrina Ellis, vice president for University Human Resources. Offering the training online provides staff more flexibility to learn at their own pace and access it when convenient.”
The university-wide staff roll-out follows a pilot of the training with employees in the Office of the General Counsel, University Human Resources, the Office of the Provost and the Division of the Executive Vice President and Treasurer. Individuals who participated in the pilot have fulfilled their requirement and will not receive an email to participate on March 21.
“Feedback from participants in the pilot of this training was very positive,” said Sara Melita, assistant vice president of Organizational Development & Effectiveness, the department in University Human Resources that oversees the administration of the program. In evaluations, employees commented that the training was “thorough” and said it raised their awareness of potential issues and provided a “common vocabulary and understanding” that will unite staff to prevent harassment, she said.
“GW is committed to creating a safe and respectful community,” Ms. Nolan said. “This course moves us toward that goal by building upon GW’s existing training on sexual harassment and extending it to all forms of harassment.”
With the support of the vice provost for diversity and inclusion and the vice provost for faculty affairs, a version for faculty will be available in the fall.