Sensitivity Training Important for Employees, Managers as Well

As managers and bosses, it’s important that our behavior in the workplace is indicative and illustrative of how we expect our employees to act. A manager can’t expect his or her workers to be respectful or appreciate diversity when he or she does not. That’s why sensitivity training for managers is so important. With diversity and sensitivity training, managers can bring their newfound skills back to the office and lead their employees by good example.

As they always say, actions speak louder than words, and this is very true for a business setting. If, as a manager, an employee sees you making disrespectful or inappropriate remarks, they may feel encouraged to do the same. Even if the comment was meant as a joke, you’re implicitly condoning these actions. Diversity and sensitivity training helps us to make us aware of our prejudices and give us ways to move past them.

Sensitivity training for managers isn’t just beneficial for the higher-ups – it’s good for the whole business. Even if, as a manager, you don’t feel you need diversity and sensitivity training, you may want to consider doing it for your employees. After all, they’ll be much more likely to take it seriously when they see you doing the same. Additionally, you may be surprised by what sensitivity training for managers can teach you, and how it can make you a better leader.

Diversity and sensitivity training isn’t only helpful among coworkers around the office. It also gives employees the tools they need to deal with customers in a courteous and considerate manner. The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, recommends diversity and sensitivity training for all businesses. It can help make employees and employers aware of all the areas where discrimination may arise, including sexism, racism and ageism.