How Bystander Intervention Can Prevent Sexual Harassment at Workplaces

While companies have increased focus on PoSH compliance to create a safer workplace for employees, anti-sexual harassment training can help companies create preventive measures in place. Bystander intervention is an integral aspect of policy alignment that helps combat sexual harassment in workplaces. The bystander effect is a common psychological effect that hinders people from intervening in cases of misconduct when other people are around. Bystander intervention can help companies create a workplace that moves beyond legal compliance on paper and create active processes in place for better workplace culture.

Who is a Bystander in a Workplace?

A bystander is anyone who is present at the scene of misconduct but does not actively do anything to prevent it from happening. A bystander is also as much a part of the misconduct that takes place as the aggressor. The bystander may be afraid, indifferent or unthinking about the situation at hand. However, they do play a role in perpetuating violence. Moreover, they also play an important role in intervention or pausing misconduct. They are able to foster a safe workplace environment by being an active bystander.

Have you heard of bystander intervention? 🤔

Simply put, bystander intervention is when a person witnesses inappropriate or abusive behaviour and calls it out. It can be a very important tool for prevention of sexual harassment at workplaces✅#LetsUngender #UngenderWorkplaces pic.twitter.com/wbYwTeqLrK

— Ungender (@UngenderTalks) August 5, 2021

An active bystander is one who intervenes in situations where a misconduct is taking place. In workplaces, an active bystander would readily intervene in situations where sexual misconduct against marginalized genders. While anyone witnessing the act of misconduct is a bystander, an active bystander intervenes in the situation in a way that is appropriate for them. Moreover, the active bystander approach involves a process of stopping or preventing a case of sexual misconduct from happening, stepping in during inappropriate situations and even calling out inappropriate jokes or conversations that contribute to a negative workplace culture.

How does Active Bystander Training Create Safer Workplaces?

Anti-sexual harassment trainings are an effective way to foster a work environment that not only provides redressal but also prevents instances of misconduct. Active bystander training hence, is essential for workplaces to increase solidarity within employees and also to create a system where employees feel safe amidst their colleagues in cases of sexual misconduct. An active bystander focuses on intervening in situations where the victim is unable to defend themselves. Active bystanders are also integral to drive out negative workplace behaviour while simultaneously focusing on their commitment to creating a work environment that is not hostile to marginalized genders.

Rutuja, Head of Service Delivery at Ungender says,

“The best way to tackle sexual harassment is by preventing it. Employees must be equipped with the knowledge on how to make that happen if they are witness to an act of sexual harassment. Bystander intervention can help in preventing incidents of sexual harassment escalating and lead to a culture of accountability in the organization.”

Consequently, bystander intervention creates mechanisms for employees themselves to understand and acknowledge harmful behaviours. They are also able to point out potentially threatening behaviours with the help of training programs. An active bystander intervention may take three forms. These are also referred to as the three Ds of bystander intervention.

The 3 D’s of bystander intervention! 💡

👉Directly approach the person and call them out
👉Diffuse the tension by interrupting the conversation
👉Delegate the responsibility to someone else who can help if you do not feel safe intervening #LetsUngender #UngenderWorkplaces pic.twitter.com/CgXOri5Vk8

— Ungender (@UngenderTalks) August 5, 2021

They are:

Direct Approach – Wherein, a bystander approaches the situation by stepping in directly. For example, an employee may feel a sexually coloured joke towards their colleague is inappropriate and points it out immediately.

Delegate – Wherein, a bystander may not feel safe or comfortable intervening in the situation directly. In this situation, the bystander can choose to delegate the matter to a supervisor or the HR. For example, in certain situations, previous experiences can cause triggers for individuals which makes it difficult for them to directly intervene. In these situations, they can approach assistance from a trusted resource within the workplace.

Distract – Wherein, a bystander creates a distraction for the aggressor to alienate them from the situation. For example, if an employee witnesses inappropriate behaviour and is unsure about approaching the situation, they may distract the aggressor by calling them to another meeting.

Importance of Training Programs for Bystander Intervention

Training programs are an essential way to incorporate policies and processes in place that prevent sexual harassment from taking place within the workplace. Training programs are also an important mechanism for workplaces to raise awareness around sexual harassment. Bystander intervention is something that many employees are unaware of to begin with. This makes them unable to intervene during situations that require intervention. Moreover, training programs are also an important way to keep in check how employees react to problematic situations within workplaces. Bystander intervention as learnt through training programs are an important way to know how to react to inappropriate situations within workplaces to better workplace culture.

 

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Moreover, advisories that work towards creating training and awareness programs also provide ways in which active bystander approach can be useful. D&I advisories place policies and processes in alignment with anti-sexual harassment training which improves the way employees perceive their workspace. This not only creates an environment of accountability within the work environment, it also makes marginalised work groups feel safer within their workplace. Advisories like Ungender focus on bystander intervention training as part of their training and advisory programs to implement efficient ways to build a safe and inclusive workplace.

Written by: Anuska Roy

Ungender Insights is the product of our learning from advisory work at Ungender. Our team specializes in advising workplaces on workplace diversity and inclusion. Write to us at contact@ungender.in to understand how we can partner with your organization to build a more inclusive workplace.