Giving Notice: Why the Best and the Brightest Leave the Workplace and How You Can Help Them Stay

6.7. Dismantling Barriers, Part 1: Policies Governing Inappropriate Behavior

A standard policy usually begins like this: "It is the goal of this organization to promote a workplace that is free of all types of harassment." Many people see the word harassment and immediately think of sexual harassment—which is, of course, only one part of a much broader picture. Usually policy language is crafted by attorneys who cite previous cases as they write the policy. This strategy is fairly effective for limiting liability, but it does little to prevent the costly, hidden barriers that drive women, people of color, and gay and lesbian workers from the workplace. Having a policy is usually a defensive, check-the-box exercise rather than a carefully thought-out, ...