Excuses

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The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Preventing and Addressing Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace (Supervisory-version). Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about Preventing and Addressing Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace (Supervisory-version) (online CE course)
Excuses

As a manager, how you respond to harassment and discrimination sets the tone for your employees. If you do not take your company’s policies seriously and let things slide, employees will also not take the policy seriously – which ultimately hurts morale, damages productivity, and opens you and the company to legal and civil penalties.
“It was just a joke.”
Like any other kind of speech, jokes can hurt, disparage, and harass. It is not the intention of the joke that matters but the impact it has on others.
“Why do we have to be soulless robots? Can’t the PC police lighten up a little?”
Our company wants to create an environment where everyone can feel comfortable and do their job. We are following the law and being ethical by supporting our employees. It is not about political correctness or being soulless but about fairness and tolerance.
“It’s freedom of speech.”
Freedom of speech is not absolute. Libel and slander are illegal. Speech that hurts others is unethical. And your company has a legal responsibility to protect employees. The right of people to work in an environment free from harassment and discrimination trumps the right of absolute free speech.