The University of California is offering a one-day seminar this February 2, 2012, on sexual harassment prevention at the farm. The training will be directed to those who you have selected to receive complaints. Attendance is limited to 4 persons per farm operation. Instructors are Gregorio Billikopf, farm advisor; Ryan Boothe, labor management consultant and Horacio Bertinetti, communications consultant (not confirmed, yet)
The training will meet and exceed the two hour training requirement imposed by California AB 1825 regulations. Participants will receive an AB 1825 training attendance certificate on sexual harassment avoidance. While seminar participants will not be qualified by law to train other supervisors, they will learn how to give brief presentations to farm workers and other farm personnel on related matters.
Farm operations need to also have designated employees that can listen and react to sexual harassment complaints and not make matters worse.
While legal requirements vary from state to state, all farm enterprises can benefit by having well-crafted anti sexual harassment policies and training supervisory personnel in sexual harassment avoidance. Avoiding sexual harassment charges requires more than checking all the seemingly required boxes. It is important that employees know that management is serious about not tolerating sexual and other types of harassment or illegal discrimination.
Farm operations need to also have designated employees that can listen and react to sexual harassment complaints and not make matters worse. These employees may be supervisory personnel, part of HR, or other individuals who you feel have the interpersonal skills to hear complaints, are respected by colleagues, and are comfortable with public speaking. It is suggested that both men and women are represented in this important role.
All employees need to be aware of the company's anti-harassment policies and who to contact if they have been victims of harassment. It is important for employees to receive regular training and reminders and know that there are contacts who are there to listen, help, and respond.
Participants will learn:
*What is sexual harassment and steps that can be taken to avoid it
*How to prevent illegal discrimination and other types of harassment
*About the role that power and authority
*Effective employee discipline techniques related to sexual harassment and other infractions
*How to respond to charges of harassment and how to work with management
*How to provide brief training to workers on sexual harassment avoidance
Attendance cost is $40 per person. For those who pre-register by January 20, 2012, registration is only $28 per person. Lunch and materials are included. You may pay through a secure credit card transaction (http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=1763) or by check. If sending a check, the envelope must be postmarked by January 31, 2012. Checks should be made out to UC Regents and sent to: Sexual Harassment Avoidance Seminar/ c/o G. Billikopf/ University of California / 3800 Cornucopia Way, Suite A / Modesto, CA 95358. Please let us know if participants require special accommodations (including meals).
When and where – Meeting is February 2, 2012, from 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m. in Modesto, at the Harvest Hall Agricultural Center. Map and directions:?http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/ucce50/ag-labor/7map.htm. The meeting is in Rooms H & I of the Stanislaus Building.