Title: District of Columbia Checklist of Questions to Ask Sexual Harassment Witnesses — Workplace: A Comprehensive Guide Introduction: Sexual harassment is a pervasive issue in workplaces, compromising the safety and well-being of individuals. To address this problem, the District of Columbia (D.C.) has developed a checklist of questions to ask sexual harassment witnesses. This detailed description aims to provide a comprehensive guide for employers, HR professionals, and advocates to conduct effective witness interviews while adhering to D.C. laws. The District of Columbia Checklist encompasses various types of witnesses: victim witnesses, bystander witnesses, and supervisor witnesses. I. Victim Witnesses: 1. Description of the Incident: — Can you provide a detailed account of the incident(s) you experienced? — Were there any explicit or implicit threats made during the incident(s)? — How did the incident(s) impact your work performance or personal well-being? 2. Contextual Information: — Were there any previous incidents involving the harasser? If yes, please provide details. — Did you report the incident(s) to any authority figures or individuals within the workplace? — Can you describe the nature of your relationship with the harasser before the incident(s) occurred? 3. Colleague Awareness: — Did you share the incident(s) with any coworkers? — Are there any coworkers who can corroborate your account? — Did you notice any changes in the behavior of the harasser towards other employees? II. Bystander Witnesses: 1. Observation of Incidents: — Were you present when any sexual harassment incident(s) occurred? — Can you provide a detailed account of what you witnessed? — Did you notice any verbal or non-verbal cues indicating discomfort or distress from the victim? 2. Peer Dynamics: — Are there any incidents of sexual harassment you have observed between other employees? — Have you noticed any changes in the behavior or performance of the victim(s) after the incident(s)? — Did you witness any retaliation towards the victim or any negative consequences as a result of reporting? III. Supervisor Witnesses: 1. Knowledge and Response: — Were you made aware of any sexual harassment incidents? — What actions, if any, did you take after receiving such information? — Did the victim report the incident(s) to you promptly? If not, when did they inform you about it? 2. Workplace Policies and Training: — Can you confirm if the organization has clear policies and procedures in place to address sexual harassment? — Were employees regularly trained on sexual harassment prevention and reporting? — Did the harasser receive any disciplinary actions previously for similar behavior? Conclusion: Investigating sexual harassment allegations requires a thorough approach to gather information from different witness perspectives. The District of Columbia Checklist of Questions to Ask Sexual Harassment Witnesses — Workplace provides a framework to ensure a comprehensive examination of victim witnesses, bystander witnesses, and supervisor witnesses. By following these guidelines, employers and HR professionals can help create a safe and respectful workplace environment, ensuring that justice is served to victims and appropriate actions are taken against harassers.
Para su conveniencia, debajo del texto en español le brindamos la versión completa de este formulario en inglés. For your convenience, the complete English version of this form is attached below the Spanish version.