Sensitivity and Awareness Training

Awareness and sensitivity have become major issues in all areas of human relations.  An appropriate first step in preventing misunderstanding and conflict is to provide awareness training for staff.

 Areas of greatest concern are socio-economic, racial, religious, and gender biases.  Prevention and education are the primary issues to be addressed. The recommendation to implement training programs in institutions, which have specific goals for intervention and prevention, is indeed an appropriate first step for any awareness program.

Building awareness around the issues of bias will sensitize staff to the effects on co-workers, and the overall work environment.  Defining insensitivity becomes difficult, since tolerance levels vary among individuals, ultimately sensitivity is in the eye of the beholder.

The workshop ELM Associates has developed increases awareness and sensitivity to co-workers and encouraged mutual respect and open communication necessary to create a positive and professional work and learning environment.

In addition, the workshop explains why some well-intentioned communication techniques are viewed as threatening and demeaning.

From the management perspective, this workshop assists supervisors in providing a comfortable and respectful workplace, decreases the incidence of harassment and complaints of discrimination that undermine successful operations.  The workshop develops awareness and sensitivity and provides guidelines for intervention and prevention based on organizational policy.

The focus of the workshop is on experiential learning.  In addition to an overview of policy relevant to specific issues, the program: 

• Illustrates how subtle harassment fosters resentment, discourages teamwork and enthusiasm; and impairs group and individual efforts towards success. 

• Explains the importance of maintaining a harmonious enjoyable and productive environment. 

• Sensitizes staff to issues and policy.

• Explains how policy can protect against absenteeism, lack of productivity and losses.