Hundreds of respondents to MeetingsNet’s June 2018 survey on sexual harassment submitted tactics to reduce the potential for sexual harassment at meetings and in the workplace. Most focused on producing a clear harassment policy that eliminates the fear of repercussions for the victim and outlines consequences for harassers and training staff to implement it. Here are 16 additional suggestions they shared:
• Eliminate or limit alcohol at professional events.
• If you do serve alcohol, provide food at the same time.
• Ask questions in RFPs about your vendors’ policies around sexual harassment. Inform them of yours.
• Support legislation that requires hotels, restaurants, and other venues to issue “panic buttons” to staff.
• Add a statement in promotion and registration materials that says, “This is a harassment-free environment. Thank you for respecting others in attendance.”
• Have staff work in pairs or groups.
• Hold leadership accountable and encourage openness so harassment does not stay in the shadows.
• Never leave food or drink unsupervised.
• On site visits, look at guest rooms alone, or make sure the door is always open.
• Offer sessions about sexual harassment at your conferences to build awareness.
• Remind attendees that while they’re away from the office, they are still accountable for their behavior.
• Provide tips on how to read body language.
• Encourage a, “If you see something, say something,” mentality.
• Offer escorts for people going back to their rooms later in the evening.
• Consider hiring additional security, or designate staff to walk around and monitor the situation, especially for evening events that are social and alcohol-infused.
• Encourage dialogue. Take claims seriously, investigate thoroughly, but allow the accused due process and the opportunity to clarify misunderstandings.
