Sessions

Political correctness has become pervasive in colleges and universities, often to absurd extremes. “Microaggressions,” “trigger warnings” and “safe spaces.” Is all of this coming to your workplace anytime soon? That depends on you and the policies you implement. A policy against harassment is surely necessary, but if it is drafted too broadly it might give rise to complaints from employees who are sensitive to the slightest provocation. An anti-bullying policy may seem like a good idea but how do you define bullying? Does freedom of speech apply at work? Should you attempt to control your employees' speech to prevent liability? This session will help you locate the right approach to these issues. This session will answer the following questions:

• How might an overbroad policy against harassment give rise to complaints about politically incorrect behavior? 
• Should employers implement policies against bullying, and how should 'bullying' be defined for the workplace?
• Should political speech be treated differently for managers and non-management employees?
• How far can an employer go in enforcing dress codes?