A 15-Point Plan for Boards and CEOs to Eradicate Sexual Harassment in Their Organizations

This resource provides a list of actions that leaders of organizations should take to eliminate sexual harassment in their workplaces.

1. Establish accountability.
2. Immediately request an audit of every open case of sexual harassment and a 5-10-year look-back of every closed, settled, sealed or discarded case ever brought to the organization’s attention.
3. Introduce a sexual harassment hotline that bypasses HR, is administered by an outside provider, and is reported directly to the board.
4. When a credible accusation is made, the accused should be put on a paid leave of absence while an investigation ensues.
5. Do not dismiss, deny, defend, or blame the victim.
6. Maintain and defend a pristine due process.
7. Make it explicit in every way you can that harassment, abuse, or misbehaviour will not be tolerated.
8. Be proactive.
9. Put incentives in place.
10. Clarify the role of HR in sexual harassment cases.
11. Promote a “see something, say something” environment.
12. Conduct bystander training throughout the organization.
13. Leaders should actively protect someone that might be in danger.
14. Get more women on boards and in C-suites.
15. Beware of backlash.