EMPLOYMENT TRAINING

SPSK provides effective and dynamic employee relations training. In this regard, SPSK works with both large and small employers in all industries in both the private and public sectors. SPSK provides exceptional, interactive, and professional presentations while avoiding legal land mines, thanks to an experienced staff of trainers with extensive legal experience and education.

The law demands that employers provide training in a number of areas such as anti-harassment and non-discrimination, workplace safety, and violence in the workplace. The consequences of failing to train employees on these topics range from loss of government contracts, to de-licensing, and damages from applicants and employees. Moreover, the EEOC often mandates training in resolving charges with employers. Liability can arise not only from failure to train, but also from inadequate or negligent training that results in a disparate impact, retention of "damaging" materials or information, or other causes of action.

Customized Content and Delivery

Training courses and presentations are tailored to fit an organization's culture and environment. SPSK achieves a customized approach through upfront client consultation. SPSK works with the employer to identify the target population and relevant performance goals and measurements. All courses are customized to fit the learners’ business environment, whether it is blue collar, white collar, professional, management, non-management, public or private sector or mixed. Client input and approval of all aspects of the course is crucial to effective delivery and achievement of the organization's goals. SPSK understands the importance of managerial buy-in and investment and will work with the client to implement a training program that meets the client’s scheduling and other needs. Interaction is strongly encouraged throughout the classes by providing frequent examples and scenarios for analysis, and also by dedicating a portion of all classes, except condensed versions, to workshop and case study activities where scenarios are analyzed for class discussion, either in groups or as individuals.

Finally, SPSK provides evaluation and feedback after the training, including consulting advice and suggestions for follow-up training. SPSK trainers actively solicit questions from participants and make themselves available after completion of the training to answer any questions participants may have.

Training Courses

All classes are conducted in a workshop format and emphasize participant interaction. Courses include, but are not limited to, the following:

Workplace Harassment: Supervisors, Managers, Human Resources, and Executives:

A complete look at why sexual and other forms of workplace harassment is a problem for organizations, what sexual and workplace harassment are and what they are NOT, organization policy, legal liabilities and defenses, management concerns, preventing harassment, addressing harassment complaints if they occur, and management’s responsibilities in harassment investigations and corrective action. Special emphasis is placed on confidentiality, non-retaliation, and avoiding tort liability.

Workplace Harassment: For Employees

Covers what is and is not appropriate behavior, what is and what is not sexual and workplace harassment, organization policy, how not to be a harasser, how not to be a victim, and what to do if harassing behavior occurs (ask the harasser to stop and/or follow organization complaint procedure).

See also One-on-one Sensitivity Training below for corrective action options.

Investigating Employee Complaints: For Human Resources Professionals:

Instruction in performing employee complaint investigations, including issues such as when investigations are required or helpful, who should conduct them, how to ask questions, how to evaluate outcomes, privacy issues, and defamation. Attendees engage in a comprehensive study of the subject matters underlying the need for investigations, such as harassment, discrimination, and other misconduct, as necessary.

One-on-One Sensitivity Training: All levels of employees:

A key component of an effective resolution of harassment, discrimination, and other complaints is one-on-one sensitivity training for the offending party. The ability of a trainer, knowledgeable in employment law and employee relations issues, to work individually with a problem employee, can effectively stop future problems and bolster an employer’s defense if the complaint escalates to a charge or lawsuit. The "safe" one-on-one environment encourages the employee to discuss issues with the trainer that he/she might never address in front of co-workers or superiors. If behavior does not warrant termination but does warrant discipline, the employer should seriously consider implementing this type of training.

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