Bullying and harassment - doing nothing is not an option: Hogan Lovells launches new training course for all employees
LONDON, 20 June 2019 – Hogan Lovells has introduced mandatory anti-bullying and harassment training for all of its people in the UK, as part of the firm's commitment to mental wellbeing.
The interactive, online training course is the next step in the firm's work in this area, following two-hour 'Over the line?' workshops completed by all partners and heads of business services last year. The UK-wide roll-out underlines the firm's policy that being a bystander to inappropriate behaviour is not an option.
Hogan Lovells started developing a programme in 2017 to train people on how to spot and deal with issues of bullying and harassment and 'everyday sexism', giving them the confidence to call out unacceptable behaviour.
In 2018 the firm refreshed and relaunched its Dignity at Work policy as the Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy. This was complemented by the appointment of 16 people in the UK as 'Respect Advocates'. The Respect Advocates received in-depth anti-bullying and harassment training so that they can act as a point person for anyone in the business to speak to confidentially about any inappropriate behaviour that they have experienced or witnessed.
Susan Bright, Regional Managing Partner for the UK and Africa, said:
"I am proud of our inclusive culture, where everybody is treated with dignity and respect, and we are all supported to flourish and to give our best. Our Respect Advocates are being used and action has been taken so it is good to see that people are able to speak up. Doing nothing is never an option - we all have a responsibility to put a stop to inappropriate behaviour in the workplace by continuing to talk openly, by challenging inappropriate behaviour and by ensuring we have the right support mechanisms in place for our people."
The Respect Advocates and training complement the firm's existing programme to promote mental wellbeing in the workplace, which includes:
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Signing (in 2018) an open letter to the Prime Minister calling for mental health first aid regulations to be amended and thereby compulsory in all businesses
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Becoming founding signatories to the Mindful Business Charter
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Actively supporting Mental Health First Aid England and the City Mental Health Alliance (CMHA), with Regional Managing Partner, Susan Bright, on the Board of CMHA
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Training Mental Health First Aiders
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Participating in the "This is Me" City-wide campaign aimed at tackling the stigma around mental health in the workplace.