As a manager, you are very vulnerable to sexual abuse claims. Sometimes innocent behavior without intent can get you in hot water. The world of work is a minefield of legal issues for managers and sexual harassment is one of the most dangerous parts of the management. Read this useful article and minimize your chances of making mistakes by avoiding the following situations.
Avoid Compromising Situations
This is as it sounds. Avoid the situation with your team members that can be misinterpreted by others or can cause misunderstandings with the people you meet with. If you meet with members of the opposite sex at work try to meet during working hours and in an area where you can be seen by others. Sexual harassment training is a great way to make employees aware of what behavior can be qualified as harassment and what is not.
Avoid nicknames and Inappropriate Labels
The words sweet, cute, hunk and women must be avoided at all costs. They label a person with a title that they may see as demeaning. You may mean nothing but affection with the term, but to the employee it can be seen as discrimination. They feel like they are being treated differently than their co-workers and that their contribution in the workplace is less than that of others.
Make Objective Staff Decisions
From interviewing and performance appraisals to promotions and terminations your decisions as a manager have to be completely objective. Do everything possible to leave personal feelings out of every decision. Always ask yourself if you are using a stereotype or a bias.