Support Material

Hands Off - Training Game

30 - 40 mins	Any number	Teamwork
Why it works for me This is a good way of introducing some of the basic ideas of sexual harassment. It provides a good foundation for training on company policy. Where it works best When people know each other already, and are at the same or similar level in the corporate hierarchy. Special Note: This issue could be more serious. It is your responsibility to ensure that participants treat the issues discussed here ( and their fellow participants) respectfully. I would recommend that you make yourself thoroughly familiar with the group through extensive pre-course analysis to uncover any issues that may affect the productive running of the game ( eg. a participant with a sexual harassment or discrimination claim currently being heard). I would also recommend that you familiarise yourself with the Equal Opportunities Commission's (EOC's) Code of Practice. If you are comfortable with your knowledge of the group, your ability to deal with the issues raised and your knowledge of the recommended Code of Practice then, with careful preparation, give the game a go. It's a great one! While the subject is serious, this does not mean that the game should be carried out in a sombre and black mood. Much better results will be achieved for all if a good-humoured, warm and mutually supportive air is generated.

What you have to do

1. Prepare several sets of cards with harassment types written on them (see further on for some examples)
2. Divide the group into teams of four or five
3. Give each team a set of cards
4. Ask them to sort the cards in ascending order, from least to most objectionable behaviour
5. Ask the teams to report their ranking to the group
6. Encourage discussion about different rankings and why one situation may be worse than another.
7. Put the group back into teams and ask them to come up with appropriate responses to each situation:
   1. as the person in the situation or
   2. as the supervisor of the person in the situation
8. Get the teams to report their responses to the group
9. Discuss which is the best response and highlight assertive responses and body language.

What to look out for

• Personal experience of harassment dominating the session
• Team presentations taking too long
• Joking responses to harassment
• Participants being embarrassed by discussing situations that upset them or have occurred to them in the past.
• Side conversations occurring during the game about other individuals within the group. Ask those involved to focus on game participation.

Debrief

Sample debrief questions:

• Were any of you surprised by what might be harassment?
• How much disagreement was there about what constitutes harassment? Why?
• How differently did you rank the situations? What does that mean?
• What sort of responses are appropriate?
• Has your view of harassment changed? (no answer required)
• How can you apply this awareness to how you work?

Sexual Harassment Situations

• The men in your office make remarks about your breasts
• A stranger breathes heavily down the telephone
• Your boss stares at your legs
• A group of people whistle as you walk past
• Your sports coach keeps putting an arm around you, telling you that you're cute
• Someone at work keeps telling dirty jokes and makes suggestive remarks
• Staff are allowed to have nude or sparsely clad pin-ups around the walls and work stations
• Your trainer keeps brushing up against you and telling you how nice you look
• A co-worker grabs your buttocks when you walk past
• Women comment on 'how you fill your shorts'
• At office parties, someone keeps squeezing your hand when you pass them some food or drink
• Your boss tells you that if you're very nice, you'll get a promotion / raise.
• Someone in the elevator runs a hand up your leg

return to Topic 2