An Interactive Sexual Harassment Training Program

The Power Of Respect To Affect Lives is a fundamental concept that is essential to a productive and inclusive work environment. The Power Of Respect To Affect Lives (PORTAL) sexual harassment educational program is now available online, at www.powerofrespect.umn.edu/. Everyone can learn by participating in this learning opportunity.

PORTAL is designed as an individual learning experience. Users will explore how and why sexual harassment happens, its impact and how the behavior can be addressed. A great deal of information concerning sexual harassment and the University’s policies is already available in printed material or web-based formats (see www.eoaa.umn.edu). This learning experience neither replaces nor duplicates this information, nor does it provide a list of ‘do’s and don’ts.’ Instead, the goal of this training is to provide an opportunity for individuals to explore issues related to sexual harassment in private, and consider how respectful interactions can prevent the harm from all forms of discrimination. If some of the concepts are familiar, take the opportunity to explore the details, and the perspectives of others who may ‘walk in different shoes’ on this topic. We think everyone will find something new.

The program consists of six sections, and the user will be guided through every section. The user must view them all in order. It generally takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete the program. It is best to complete the learning experience in one uninterrupted session, however, if an unexpected interruption occurs, you may ‘bookmark’ a place and begin again in that section. PORTAL incorporates accessibility features that allow people with visual, hearing or hand motion impairments to use it with ease.

At the end of the program the user is connected to a website where the user can record completion of this educational program in the HRIS (PeopleSoft) Training Record. This makes it possible for supervisors and administrators to be certain every employee has completed the program.

Enhancing the Learning

This experience does not include all possible forms of sexual harassment. The user may be surprised by some of the individual responses of the characters, or disagree. We intentionally designed the presentation to prompt further reflection on these topics. (For example, several PORTAL users have challenged the etymology of the phrase "rule of thumb," which is mentioned in the program.) Supervisors and administrators may want to create an opportunity for a discussion after everyone in a unit has viewed it.

Viewing PORTAL may generate feelings or questions about sexual harassment, or even other forms of potential discrimination. These reactions may arise immediately or some time thereafter. They may concern the user’s own behavior or behavior to which the user has been exposed. Supervisors should be prepared to either discuss these feelings with individuals or to make an appropriate referral. Both the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action and the Employee Assistance Program are available to all employees. EOAA’s website contains a list of resources available at the University.

The web version is not designed for group use. If, however, you want to use the program in a group setting, please contact EOAA for a cd-rom version, and assistance on group presentations.