A significant scandal involving an all-male charity event has shed new light on behavior within the workplace, leading to hidden filming and a push towards policies aimed at preventing harassment and preserving company reputation.
Following this event, there’s been a noticeable increase in efforts to improve the working environment by introducing measures such as anti-harassment training as well as stricter policies. More people now understand what constitutes appropriate behavior in the workplace, causing businesses to re-evaluate their strategies and strengthening the necessity of maintaining a respectful and professional atmosphere.
Several high-profile companies, including Santander, Harley-Davidson, Lloyds Group, and Ferrari, showed their commitment to fight against sexual harassment and discrimination at professional events by introducing an “annual dinner code of conduct”. This sets out rigid guidelines that all attendees must follow with the aim of ensuring a safe and respectful environment.
The Financing & Leasing Association (FLA) is leading the charge in implementing such regulation and remedying lax behavior at professional social events. FLA’s drafting guidelines to deter inappropriate actions and discriminatory practices at corporate and social gatherings, setting a standard where everyone, regardless of their race, gender, or status, is treated with dignity.
The enforcement of the UK’s Equality Act in 2010 has prompted companies to work towards creating a diverse and inclusive environment. The impact of this became particularly significant after 2017, with the rise of the #MeToo movement and a succession of incidents within the financial sector.
Addressing misconduct at professional events
Today’s focus on equality has led companies to invest in better reporting systems and include equality in their strategic objectives.
In response to inappropriate activities during a dinner meeting in the UK, female representation and professional conduct rules are under reconsideration. Despite revisions in the guidelines, there’s an urgent need to address unprofessional behavior outside traditional working hours, which can equally affect the workplace environment and reputation. There’s a pressing need for clearer rules and stricter controls.
Reports indicate that while workplace misconduct may be decreasing, harassment seems to be creeping into alternative settings, with after-work events as possible risk areas. To combat this, companies are coming up with detailed codes of conduct for professional events. Some organizations are even extending these guidelines to all professional occasions whether they are on or off-site. This is a step towards creating an atmosphere where everyone feels respected and secure, but further initiatives are necessary to truly mitigate the issue.
