If you have employees, you are at risk for a sexual harassment action.  Therefore, implementing sexual harassment training is highly recommended.

Sexual Harassment Training

There are two good reasons to implement training.  First, if you and your employees know what behavior may be considered illegal under sexual harassment laws, there is less likelihood that you and your employees will engage in such behavior.  Lawsuit averted.

Second, if you provide sexual harassment training, you may be bolstering your chances of succeeding if you do get sued.  In the United States Supreme Court case Burlington Industries, Inc. v. Ellerth, 524 U.S. 742, 765, 118 S.Ct. 2257, 2270 (1998), the Court explained that an employer can be liable when one of its supervisors create a hostile work environment for his/her subordinate.  However, if no tangible employment action is taken, the employer may assert an affirmative defense.  The employer may not be liability if:  “the employer exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any sexual harassing behavior,” (emphasis added), and the employee did not take advantage of the opportunities provided by the employer.  Sexual harassment training (along with proper sexual harassment policies) have been found to constitute “reasonable care to prevent” harassment.  See, e.g., Nicholos v. Azteca Restaurant Enterprises, Inc., 256 F.3d 864 (9^th cir. 2001) (“Thus, we agree with the district court that Azteca’s policy and company-wide training program were sufficient to show that it exercised reasonable care to prevent sexual harassment in its restaurants.”)

It is worth every business’s time to implement sexual harassment training now.  As Benjamin Franklin aptly stated:  “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Alona M. Gottfried leads training in sexual harassment, discrimination and conflict resolution.  She is also an employment attorney and mediator in Arizona.  If you have questions about training, she can be reached at: 480-998-1500 or alona@sglawaz.com.  This is a general interest article only and is not intended to be legal advice.  See a legal professional before making legal decisions.

Mediation training is of course necessary for people who would like to mediate professionally.  In addition, Mediation training is necessary for people looking for a volunteer opportunity to benefit their communities.  Many communities have their own mediation programs to resolve conflicts between their citizens.

However, Mediation training is also useful for people who want to incorporate new skills into their own work and lives.  Through mediation training, one learns how to resolve conflicts, deal with difficult people, defuse stressful situations, and use the power of persuasion.

Most mediation training lasts 40 hours or more.  Shorter classes are not generally viewed as being sufficient to mediate.

Simmons & Gottfried, PLLC is joining forces with Merge Consultants to offer mediation training this January.  Dr. Frank Hanna and Alona M. Gottfried will be co-instructing a fun, informative and engaging mediation course beginning January 4, 2010.  The class has been well reviewed.  For example:

This mediation class was the absolute best learning experience I have ever had.  Both Frank and Alona are not only excellent mediators but excellent teachers as well.  Their knowledge and experience were an invaluable part of the class and enhanced the effectiveness of the course.  I have the utmost respect for both of them and only hope that I can utilize even a small amount of their superior mediating skills. ~ Sarah Leong

I really enjoyed the flow of the course…the humor between Frank & Alona made the class both entertaining and helped it flow smoothly.  I will definitely recommend this course to others! ~ Caroline Leon

I enjoyed this course tremendously.  I can apply the skills I learned tomorrow and everyday in conflict and in my law practice.  Many thanks to Frank and Alona. ~ Bobbie J. Rasmusson, Esq.

Outstanding course!  Well worth the time, money and energy invested!  Frank and Alona are truly masters and exceptional teachers in the art of mediation.  Thank you both for a terrific experience! ~ Victoria Crawford

The possibilities for application of these skills are almost unlimited.  My interest in seeing its theory and concept applied in the Spanish speaking community has begun to fascinate me…Thanks to Frank and Alona for this new beginning! ~ Manuel V. Cisneros

…I left the course wanting to enter the field of mediation and feeling as though I sat at the feet of two master mediators.  Thank you Frank and Alona. ~ Libby Williams

Fascinating…opens up a new career…enjoyable…Thought-provoking…humorous! Totally worthwhile -time and money well spent! ~ Mary Clement Esq.

This has been a wonderful opportunity that I have always wanted. The course and contents were excellent and the instructors just wonderful…I have gained invaluable skills which I will definitely use now and in the future. Thanks a bunch! ~ I. Gotwin Otu

Outstanding. I have found this course very valuable. If only more people could understand the value of mediation many more conflicts could be avoided. ~ Fred L. Amador

This has been an extraordinary class. Thank you for an enjoyable and informative time. ~ David R Fuller Esq.

Excellent course. Lots of reassurance along the way. Good skill building exercises. I thoroughly enjoyed the class and have made some quality friends. ~ Shirley Huddy

The most satisfying educational experience I have ever had. ~ Joe Terranova, Esq.

You can learn more about Frank Hanna at:  http://www.mediationagency.com/frank.html.   You can learn more about Alona M. Gottfried at: http://azmediator.com/about.

The following are the details about the course:

Dates & Time: Our 40+ hour Mediation Training Class will commence on  January 4, 2010.  The class will be held weekdays Monday, January 4th – Thursday, January 8th, 2010 and Monday, January 11^th, 2010 – Thursday, January 15th, 2010.  Additionally, there will be two Saturday classes on January 9th and 16th from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Location: 3877 N Seventh St. Suite 340, Phoenix, AZ 85014-0001.

Tuition: $1350.00 with a $150.00 discount for confirmed registrations on or before 12th December, 2009.  Payment is not required to be made at the time of registration, but all confirmed registrants will be required to have made payment in full by class start date unless other arrangements have been agreed.  On-line payment facilities will be made available by mid-December, 2009.

Please call or email Alona M. Gottfried if you want to reserve a spot or have questions (alona@sglawaz.com; 480-998-1500).