The Importance of Preventing Sexual Harassment Training for Managers

Preparing managers to prevent or tackle sexual harassment in the workplace isn’t an easy subject to talk about or to get right.

Nevertheless, it’s one HR and senior management can’t afford to ignore, especially not when it has become a legal responsibility for organisations in the UK following the introduction of the Worker Protection Act.

To tackle it correctly we need to cover off why sexual harassment training for managers matters.

Sexual harassment: the obvious and the not so obvious

It isn’t just about the big, headline-grabbing stuff. It’s not always about overt advances or inappropriate touching.

Sometimes, it can be the quieter things that cause a toxic environment. A look. A joke that lands wrong. A comment about someone’s appearance that wasn’t meant to offend—but did. These things, small though they are individually, can all add up.

And when they do, they can create an uncomfortable environment where people can often feel unsafe.

Preventing sexual harassment training: theory v reality

Mandatory training helps, but knowing something in theory isn’t the same as recognising it in practice.

Even the most well-meaning manager can miss the signs. Not because they’re bad people. Often, simply because they’re just not ‘aware of their environment’. Or maybe they’re simply unsure what to do.

Training to prevent or tackle sexual harassment in the workplace can’t be just a tick-box exercise.

Done right, with discussion and practical exercises, manager training is a chance to open eyes. To help managers spot the subtle stuff. To give them the confidence to step in when something’s not right. And to do it in a way that’s fair, respectful, and—crucially—effective.

Dealing with sexual harassment is not easy to get right.

Handling a whistleblowing report or a direct complaint about sexual harassment is one of the trickiest things a manager can face.

Here at Safecall, we have to handle the whistleblower calls and whistleblowing reports that come in.

Whistleblowers are often emotional. It’s hyper sensitive. And it’s fraught with risk.

Say or do the wrong thing, and a manager could make things worse.

Do nothing, and the manager can be complicit. That’s a heavy burden to carry without the right training tools.

Good training gives managers those tools

Good training helps managers understand the legal framework—yes—but also the human side.

How to listen. How to support. How to investigate without bias.

And how to make sure the person who came forward doesn’t end up regretting it.

It’s The Law

There are legal obligations here.

In many places, employers are required to provide sexual harassment training. Failure to do so, and the door might be open to lawsuits, tribunals, fines, and reputational damage.

But that shouldn’t be the main reason for making sure managers are trained.

A workplace where people feel safe and respected is a better workplace.

People are more engaged. More loyal. More productive.

Good training is an investment

We’re not just talking about policies and procedures. We’re talking about people. Their dignity. Their right to feel safe at work. That’s not a luxury. That’s the bare minimum.

Good training on tackling sexual harassment needs to be ongoing. And it evolves and reflects the real world, not just the rulebook.

It should be interactive. Real scenarios. Real discussions.

And it should challenge people. Make them think. Maybe even make them uncomfortable.

Because growth often starts with discomfort.

Lastly, it should be inclusive.

Sexual harassment can happen to anyone, from anyone. Training needs to reflect that. It needs to speak to everyone in the room.

Sexual harassment training for managers

Tackling sexual harassment in the workplace is not just avoiding lawsuits and tribunals

At the end of the day, it’s about doing the right thing. We all want what’s best for your team and our organisation.

Small steps that add up to a better whole.

A manager who learns to pause before making a joke. Who checks in with a team member who seems uncomfortable. Who knows how to respond when someone says, “Can I talk to you about something?”

These moments all add up.

And a positive working culture, more than any preventing sexual harassment policy or whistleblowing poster on the wall, is what keeps people safe.

If even one person walks away from tackling sexual harassment training with a better understanding of how to create a respectful workplace, then it’s worth it.

Free recorded webinar: Creating a Safe & Respectful Workplace