Preventing workplace harassment: an organizational change perspective

Illegal workplace harassment has become an increasingly significant issue. While most articles have focused on the legal and or practical steps necessary for employers to avoid litigation, a neglected issue is how to prevent illegal harassment more effectively. Describes an organization change approach to developing an environment of mutual respect. When harassment prevention is examined from this perspective, the critical issues involve how to increase awareness about harassment, how to incorporate employee input and involvement in the change process, and how to develop employee responsibility for maintaining a harassment-free work environment. Recommendations encourage managers to change the way they approach the problem of harassment.