Course Introduction

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Module 1
What is harassment
Module 1: What is harassment

What is harassment? (Click to View)
According to the Equality Act 2010 Harassment is Unwanted conduct which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual.
In other words: Under the Equality Act 2010, harassment is unwanted behaviour that undermines a person’s dignity or creates a harmful or offensive environment.

Who can be involved? (Click to View)
Anyone in the workplace, including managers, team members, customers, or contractors.

What forms can it take? (Click to View)
Verbal, non-verbal, physical, or digital.
Examples of Sexual Harassment
Verbal
Unwelcome or inappropriate comments, jokes or remarks of a sexual nature about someone's body or appearance, spreading rumours of a sexual nature, repeatedly asking for dates, using cat calling names such as 'babe', 'honey'
Non-verbal
Unwelcome behaviours, gestures or actions of sexual nature: staring or leering, unwelcome touching, blowing kisses or making inappropriate facial expressions.
Physical
Unwelcome touching, hugging, kissing or invading personal space, pushing or blocking
Digital
Sending explicit, offensive and disrespectful messages, images, videos or comments via digital platforms such as social media, messaging apps, emails, websites.
Impact of Sexual Harassment
On the Individual (Click to view)
  • Emotional distress, anxiety, or depression
  • Reduced job satisfaction, productivity.
On the team & culture Impact (Click to View)
Creates a hostile work environment, impacting overall morale and reputation
Statistics
58%
58% of Women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.
27%
27% of Men have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.
20%
20% of those experienced sexual harassment within the physical workplace.
Example 1
  • Sarah & John have been tasked to pre retail a number of items from a new fitness collection.
  • The collection contains various fitness products, sports leggings, sports bra’s. John makes several comments about how the clothing would look on Sarah as she had “the perfect body” for the attire and casually suggested that Sarah "should try them on."
  • Sarah felt very uncomfortable with the comments and did not respond.

Is this Sexual Harassment?

No
Incorrect this is in fact sexual harassment because of the following:
  • Reference to someone's body
  • How the situation has made Sarah feel
  • The nature of the attire
  • It is unwanted conduct

Yes
Correct this is in fact sexual harassment because of the following:
  • Reference to someone's body
  • How the situation has made Sarah feel
  • The nature of the attire
  • It is unwanted conduct
Understanding Purpose & Effect
Example 2
  • Amy and Kate are in the break room. Amy tells a joke which has a punchline about the size of a mans genitals. Adam is sitting at the next table, hears the joke and is offended and decides to leave the room. Amy did not know Adam could hear her.
  • Amy then states she would not have told the joke if she knew Adam could hear.

Is this sexual harassment?

No
Incorrect this is in fact sexual harassment because of the following:
  • The use of sexual comments or jokes
  • How the situation has made Adam feel
  • It does not matter whether the comment was directed at Adam or not.
  • It does not matter whether they were intended to offend but it is how they made others feel.

Yes
Correct this is in fact sexual harassment because of the following:
  • The use of sexual comments or jokes
  • How the situation has made Adam feel
  • It does not matter whether the comment was directed at Adam or not.
  • It does not matter whether they were intended to offend but it is how they made others feel.
Module 2
What to do if you spot harassment
Responding to Harassment

Call out inappropriate behaviour

Support the person affected

Seek Support

Report the incident

Ignore harassment if it is not directed at you.

Make assumptions without facts

Discuss details of an investigation with other team members
"Silence supports the harasser, not the victim. If you spot harassment step in and intervein"

So what is intervention?

Click to reveal answer
Intervention is when someone witnessing harmful behaviour steps in to prevent or stop it, promoting a safer and more respectful environment.

Who can help?

Click to reveal answer
Anybody can help.
How do I address harassing behaviour?
Example 3
  • Julia, has worked in the store for 3 years, one afternoon she begins assisting a customer named Mark who enters the store.
  • Mark began to make comments regarding Julia's friendly customer service. He then starts complimenting her smile which quickly escalates to remarks about her appearance, saying things like, “It’s hard to concentrate with someone so pretty helping me,” and suggest they go for a drink after work.
  • Julia refuses the offer and attempts to keep the conversation focused on the store’s items but Mark persists on asking Julia if he could take her out for a drink.
  • Julia felt uncomfortable throughout and asked another team member to assist Mark.

Is this sexual harassment?

No
Incorrect this is in fact sexual harassment because of the following:
  • Comment on Julia's appearance
  • Persisting to ask Julia to go out for a drink after she refused.
  • How the comments made Julia feel.

Yes
Correct this is in fact sexual harassment because of the following:
  • Comment on Julia's appearance
  • Persisting to ask Julia to go out for a drink after she refused.
  • How the comments made Julia feel.
Adopting our values
Our company values can play a key part in preventing harassment. Using some of our value principles we can ensure we are promoting a safe and respectful environment for all.

Communicate Strongly

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Trusted

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Take Responsibility

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"Creating a positive culture is a shared responsibility. We naturally adapt to our surroundings, so it’s essential to ensure our working space and environment, are positive and respectful to foster a healthy and inclusive atmosphere across all our retail family"
Watch the below Video that describes the importance of the environment we create and the effects it has on our beliefs and actions.
It's everyone's responsibility

1

Regatta
We provide clear policies, arrange training, point you in the right direction and investigate individual challenges promptly.

2

You
You will understand harassment, behave professionally, support others, and report inappropriate behaviours.

3

Everyone
Will contribute to a respectful workplace and foster a positive environment.
What to do if you spot Harassment
1
Gather all the facts
Record dates, times, locations, and names of witnesses.
2
Approach the harassed individual
If appropriate speak to the person impacted.
3
Let someone know
Reach out for support through your line manager, area / regional manager or the People Team.
Key Takeaways
Know Harassment
Understand what harassment is and forms it can take.
Act Respectfully
Treat others with respect and consider how actions may be perceived.
Report Incidents
Speak up if you experience or witness harassment.
Support Others
Encourage a culture of respect and support your colleagues.
Harassment can happen to people of any sex or sexual orientation.
Harassment can happen to anyone regardless of their position.
It does not matter whether the act was intentional (purpose), its the impact (effect) that matters.

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