Workplace Sensitivity Training

Have you ever come across the concept of workplace sensitivity training being undertaken by some organisations? Have you ever thought of your company becoming outdated behind in relevance because you do not have one? Certainly, many CEOs are tempted to sweep this proposition of "PC culture," but there is no need to be hasty in reaching conclusions.

Workplace sensitivity training is about nurturing mutual respect, integrity, and responsibility among each one of the persons in your organisation. If you already have a diversity program, this level of training enhances the principles you aspire for. This will include a few benefits, such as training sensitivity of concerned teachers.

What Is Sensitivity Training?

Corporate sensitivity training seeks to make employees aware of and identify intolerable attitudes or behaviours which may hurt an individual or a group. More specifically, it helps them avoid behaviour that may be culturally obnoxious, such as stereotypes and micro-aggressions. Most people have this kind of sensitivity training associated with particular training events, whereby a presenter lectures the audience on the proper conduct towards women to prevent harassment. However, this kind of education does not resolve any of the issues. It tackles:

How Will Workplace Sensitivity Training Benefit Your Company?

If you are still sitting on the fence about whether you will implement the sensitivity training, these are the reasons that should push you off that stand.

1. Higher retention rates of employees: When there are adverse relations or unpleasant incidents in the workplace, either or both employees may quit the job. You retain more employees by reducing the chances of this happening.

2. Better employee potential: A nicer working environment enhances the morale of employees and performance as well.

3. Promoted inclusiveness: Sensitivity training promotes further tolerance for diversity by improving people's comfort levels and enhancing organisational creativity.

4. Fewer complaints and disputes to settle: There shall be a reduced number of employee conflicts that HR will have to handle.

5. More output per hour of staff work: There will be no more concerns over lack of courtesy and other impolite conduct!

How Can You Help Execute the Aspects of Workplace Sensitivity Training?

More often than not, it is the best practice, but its efficiency must be limited. Ineffective delivery of sensitivity training may have adverse effects on your organisation. Some tips on making the employees and managers accept the sensitivity training are provided below:

1. Divide each participant into two groups and remind everyone of the primary group goal before immersing themselves in a brainstorming session on the specifics of debriefing controversies and where and who shall have the tools available to assist him in encroaching over the diverse audience. There is a lot of social code involved when it comes to behaving in any of these particular settings; some people will have had these types of conversations before, and others will not. Set expectations about what behaviors will and will not be tolerated at the start of the sensitivity training to place all groups, including those with particular concerns, on the same platform.

2. People, irrespective of their class in the company, must be responsible for their misconduct. "High-potential individuals" can often avoid the risk of embarrassing interpersonal conflict; however, how about behavior? But if you want diversity, inclusion, and sensitivity to be taken seriously, then any high-performing individual must meet the same performance expectations of a new hire.

3. Get hold of the people on the top and order them to do the right thing. Everybody in your company must also attend a sensitisation course. Every individual at your company, including upper management, should be involved in bringing diversity within the company.

4. Look at yourself and help others to follow you. Every individual in society has biases that they do not know that they possess. Self-reflection is an important step in being self-aware. Explain how you can implement self-reflection in everyday activities to enhance your colleagues' sensitivity during the sensitivity exercise.

Last Thoughts

You will note that workplace sensitivity training should not be a leap in the dark. Rather, it should be the last effort to keep improving the workplace environment permanently. There is also the need for range diversity training to address its specific employees/management needs.