Why Respect and Civility Training Are Increasingly Paired With Sexual Harassment Training
For years, sexual harassment prevention training has been a compliance cornerstone for organizations across the United States. While these programs remain essential, many states and employers are recognizing that compliance alone isn’t enough to create truly safe, inclusive workplaces. That’s why respect and civility training is now being integrated alongside sexual harassment training in many organizations.
But why this shift? And what role does civility play in preventing harassment and fostering stronger workplace cultures?
Going Beyond Compliance
Traditional sexual harassment training is often driven by legal requirements educating employees on definitions, reporting mechanisms, and consequences of misconduct. While necessary, this narrow focus can sometimes leave employees with the impression that the training is about avoiding lawsuits rather than fostering positive workplace behavior.
Respect and civility training takes things further. It emphasizes proactive, everyday behaviors that reduce conflict, strengthen relationships, and make harassment less likely to occur in the first place.
Why Employers Are Adding Respect and Civility Training
1. Prevention Starts With Culture
Harassment doesn’t arise in a vacuum. It often grows in environments where disrespect, rudeness, or exclusion are tolerated. Civility training teaches employees how to engage respectfully, even when disagreeing, and sets expectations for workplace culture.
2. Closing the “Gray Area” Gaps
Not every harmful behavior rises to the level of unlawful harassment. Disrespectful comments, gossip, or dismissive behavior may not violate the law, but they can damage morale and create hostile environments. Civility training helps organizations address those gray areas before they escalate.
3. Supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Respect and civility are foundational to DEI initiatives. Training employees to value differing perspectives and treat colleagues with professionalism makes workplaces more inclusive, where everyone feels safe to contribute.
4. Reducing Risk Through Positive Behavior
When organizations set clear standards for respect, they lower the chances of harassment complaints and workplace conflicts. A culture of civility not only benefits employees but also protects employers from reputational and financial harm.
5. Responding to Employee Expectations
Today’s workforce, especially younger generations, expects more than compliance-driven training. They want workplaces that prioritize mutual respect, collaboration, and psychological safety. Adding civility training demonstrates an employer’s commitment to these values.
States Leading the Trend
Some states, such as California and Connecticut, have begun emphasizing the importance of workplace civility and respectful conduct in their mandated training programs. Others are exploring similar approaches as policymakers and HR professionals recognize that harassment prevention works best when coupled with broader respect initiatives.
The Benefits for Organizations
Incorporating civility training into sexual harassment prevention programs pays dividends:
- Stronger employee engagement and morale.
- Reduced turnover and absenteeism linked to toxic work environments.
- Better collaboration and teamwork across diverse groups.
- A healthier, more productive workplace culture overall.
Final Thoughts
Sexual harassment prevention training remains vital, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. By adding respect and civility training, organizations can move from a compliance mindset to a culture-building mindset one that not only prevents misconduct but also creates workplaces where people feel valued, safe, and respected.
👉 Build a stronger, more respectful workplace today.
Visit americansensitivitytraining.com to learn how our training solutions can help your organization go beyond compliance and foster a culture of civility.