Prepare Supervisors for Being Recorded

While the need to train supervisors is not new, the data from the EEOC should be a reminder that providing supervisors appropriate training to do their job will not only improve their effectiveness but potentially protect the district from charges of discrimination or harassment by employees.
 
According to a recent survey conducted by the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp), 47 percent of companies surveyed do not have a training program for new supervisors. Employees are moved into supervisory roles and may not have fully developed skills and the knowledge base to do a good job and protect the organization and its employees. Bontke urges organizations to “…empower their supervisors to really supervise. Identify the skills they may not have and get [training] for them.” He says that having a supervisor that is well-liked by staff is not enough. Give them the feedback and organizational knowledge they need to be effective and respected.
 
Joe Bontke works for the EEOC in the Houston District Office in Training and Outreach. He doesn’t investigate, mediate, or litigate. His job is to keep people out of the EEOC and to proactively prevent discrimination in the workplace. His contact information and the services his office provides are available on the EEOC Web Site. There are EEOC district offices in Dallas and San Antonio with training and outreach programs as well.
 
HR Services can bring supervisor training to your district and also conducts ESC-based workshops throughout the state.