Avoiding Sexual Harassment Here are five simple ground rules.

Mar 14, 2001

Are you safe from sexual harassment charges? You may think youare, but you can never be too careful. For the unseasoned, here aresome ground rules to help keep you out of trouble:

Don't touch your employees without permission, anddon't make suggestive comments.
Don't treat employees as potential dates, and whatever youdo, never get involved with someone who works for you.
Don't demean others, especially in reference to theirgender.
Make sure your company has a written sexual harassment policyand that all employees are familiar with it and know what to do ifthey're harassed.
Take all complaints seriously, and launch an immediateinvestigation. You have to worry about more than just yourself-youhave to make sure your employees aren't harassing each other,either. But remember, it's your business, and you set thetone.

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