Succeed As Your Own Boss

ENDING SMALL BUSINESS FAILURE

  • Home
  • About
  • Book Melinda
  • Consulting
  • SBL Store
    • Books/Workbooks
    • LifePlanningJournal
    • 30 Day Fast Start Program
    • Become Your Own Boss Course
    • Become Your Own Boss Bundle
    • Fix Your Business Masterclass
    • Write A Business Plan Course
    • One-on-One VIP Coaching
  • Subscribe to Podcast
  • #Smallbizchat
    • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Blog
    • Write For Us
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Featured Post / How to Address #MeToo Issues in Your Small Business

How to Address #MeToo Issues in Your Small Business

August 23, 2018 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

Feel free to share...Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Share on Reddit
Reddit
Email this to someone
email
Print this page
Print

Every week as SmallBizLady, I conduct interviews with experts on my Twitter talk show #SmallBizChat. The show takes place every Wednesday on Twitter from 8-9 pm ET.  This is excerpted from my recent interview with Deb Muller @hracuity

Deb Muller is the founder and CEO of HR Acuity,  the employee relations case management solution that companies trust to help them track, investigate, and analyze issues the right way.

SmallBizLady: In today’s #MeToo environment, we have heard about allegations made in big companies, but what about small businesses.  Is this something they need to be tuned into?

Deb Muller: YES! Employee issues of all kinds–do not discriminate based on size of an organization.  But for small business owners the impact and cost can be even more devastating. So, considering the “what if?” or “what now?” is a great first step.

SmallBizLady: But we don’t really hear about such incidents in small businesses.  

Deb Muller: They are handled internally and don’t make a good headline. Yet HR training & policies are often absent. An @SourceMediaCo study showed organizations of less than 100 Employees are 16% more likely to report a high prevalence of #MeToo incidents than larger organizations.

SmallBizLady: What is the potential impact of a harassment claim on a small business?

Deb Muller: In 2015, a Hiscox Small Business study reviewed EEOC claims and found the average damage in small and medium firms is $125K with 25% resulting in judgments over $500K. Those are the hard costs. Other costs include loss of productivity, absenteeism and turnover.

SmallBizLady: What are some of the first things that a small business should be doing?  

Deb Muller: Small firms don’t often have HR department to handle #MeToo or other complaints. Plus, the federal government doesn’t regulate firms under 15 Emp. Small firms can still create a culture of expected behavior and an anonymous reporting system. Make it easily accessible.

SmallBizLady: Is training important to prevent sexual harassment?

Deb Muller: NYC just passed a law requiring harassment training for any company with more than 15 employees. Even if it’s not mandatory, you should do it! It will give your team an understanding of even more subtle forms of harassment. This can protect you and your employees!

SmallBizLady: Are there other factors that put small businesses at risk and what can they do to mitigate those?  

Deb Muller: You don’t have the luxury of a team of HR pros to handle complaints. Complaints happen and don’t go away. Be prepared with a list of questions to investigate. We have a great intake template if you visit us at www.hracuity.com

SmallBizLady: Why is that first meeting so critical?

Deb Muller: The first meeting sets the tone! Your initial response can make the difference between fact-finding and resolution or legal action. Be empathic, but stay neutral.  Don’t make assumptions. They want to be heard. And plaintiff’s attorneys are happy to listen!

SmallBizLady: How can you avoid an EEOC complaint?

Deb Muller: Retaliation is the most common complaint made to the EEOC, even if no merit is found on the initial charge. It can be any negative job-related action (discipline, firing, demoting) or subtler like excluding an employee from activities.

SmallBizLady: We hear a lot about zero tolerance.  Does that mean if someone is found to harass someone do we need to fire them?

Deb Muller: Of course there are times when the behavior is so egregious that termination is warranted. But, zero tolerance doesn’t mean firing in every instance. What was the action? What is their position? Is this the 1st time? Ultimately, it must stop.

SmallBizLady: What are the most important steps to follow so that your employees who make a complaint feel supported?

Deb Muller: Have an investigation plan! In the event of a complaint, document your conversations, and the steps you take to review the situation and any action and the resolution. Communicate throughout the process! Making a complaint is hard. Do the right thing for your business and your employees.

If you found this interview helpful, join us on Wednesdays 8-9 pm ET; follow @SmallBizChat on Twitter.

Here’s how to participate in #SmallBizChat: http://bit.ly/1hZeIlz

For more tips on how to start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com.

 

Feel free to share...Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Share on Reddit
Reddit
Email this to someone
email
Print this page
Print

Filed Under: Featured Post, Featured SmallBizChat, Grow Your Business, Q & A Interview, SmallBizChat Tagged With: @hracuity, #metoo, SmallBizChat

Fix Your Business Now!

Order SmallBizLady's new book Fix Your Business, 90-Day plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business. It includes the 12 Ps of Running a Successful Business and readers will finish the book with a new strategic plan to take their business to the next level.

About Melinda Emerson

Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady is one of America's leading small business experts. As a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach, she develops audio, video and written content to fulfill her mission to end small business failure. As CEO of Quintessence Multimedia, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. Forbes Magazine named her #1 woman for entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter. She hosts #SmallBizChat Wednesdays on Twitter 8-9pm ET for emerging entrepreneurs. She also publishes a resource blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com Melinda is also bestseller author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. Her latest ebook, How To Become a Social Media Ninja; 101 Ways to Dominate Your Competition Online was released in 2012.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Let me send my best blog posts to your inbox each week.

Click Here to Sign Up!

Get 2 FREE Chapters of SmallBizLady’s Book,
"Become Your Own Boss"!

Become Your Own Boss Download Two FREE Chapters

Most Popular Posts

>Seven Ways to be More Profitable in Your Small Business
> 7 Ways to Attract Customers to Your Small Business
> 6 Tips for Managing Small Business Finances
> How to Run a Successful Multilevel Marketing Business
> 10 Ways to Grow Your Small Business With Instagram
> How to Sell on Facebook
> How to Get Over the Fear of Starting a New Business

Featured Videos

“12 Principles of Highly Profitable Businesses with Melinda Emerson” from Sonia Dumas
October 2020

#SmallBizChat LIVE from NYC
May 2017

MSNBC Interview
Top Tip: Never Let a Customer Down

National Speakers Association
Winter Conference 2016

Tune in to Exhale, Wednesdays at 9 pm EST, only on ASPiRE. Join the conversation at #EXHALETV

Fox Business
Five Steps to Becoming a ‘Social Media Ninja

MSNBC
The importance of job mentoring for women

#SmallBizChat Live
National Small Business Week: Q&A

Good Day Philadelphia
Expert Shares Tips on How to Become Your Own Boss

Google
Best Practice for Social Media

Testimonials

Become Your Own Boss is a must read if you’re thinking of launching a business of your own.
Jean Chatzky, Bestselling Author of Money 911 and Financial Editor of NBC’s Today Show
Great step-by-step advice for anyone looking to start their own business.
Andrew C. Taylor, Chairman, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Melinda Emerson has written a remarkable book. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to make the transition from working girl to successfully working it, as an entrepreneur.
Cynthia McClain-Hill, Past President, National Association of Women Business Owners
The perfect companion for those planning to go out on their own. Melinda delivers firsthand practical advice on how to be the successful entrepreneur. Read it if you want to get it right the first time.
Kenneth L. Shropshire, Professor at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
If you are looking for a versatile speaker who can talk about how to grow small businesses or get started with social media, look no further.
Heather Van Sickle Executive Director, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)
Her wit and depth of subject knowledge were entertaining and empowering. Melinda is definitely on our short list of seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders we look to invite back in the near future.
Tennille M. Robinson Senior content & Event producer for Inc. magazine
Melinda Emerson, “SmallBizLady,” is an engaging and witty speaker and a great addition to any conference. Her terrific presentation and compelling delivery give people the information they need and want to become their own bosses and grow success… Read more
Laurie Dalton White Conference Director, Pennsylvania Conference for Women
Melinda Emerson has been a fantastic small business and social media resource for the Pitney Bowes team. Not only is she personable and easy to work with, but she also has an innate understanding of the small business audience. My marketing programs … Read more
Justin Amendola, Former VP, Global SMB Digital Strategy, Pitney Bowes

SmallBizChat

  • Twitter

Latest #SmallBizChat

Boost Your Small Business Marketing with the 4 M’s OG

Boost Your Small Business Marketing with the 4 M’s

When it comes to marketing your small business, you need to be extremely strategic to ensure that you rise above all the online noise and get the attention you deserve. On way to boost your small business marketing is with the 4 M’s: Message, Market, Method, Money. Let’s dive in and learn more! Marketing is […]

Recent Comments

  • Bada Business ibc on 5 Tips for Getting More Online Reviews for Your Small Business
  • Justin Marble on TikTok vs. Snapchat: Which One Is Better for Marketing? [Infographic]
  • sathya on 15 Mistakes Not To Make In Your Digital Marketing Approach
  • Agency Platform Ebrandz on TikTok vs. Snapchat: Which One Is Better for Marketing? [Infographic]
  • Sejal on 15 Mistakes Not To Make In Your Digital Marketing Approach

#SmallBizChat

  • SmallBizChat Archive
  • @SmallBizLady

Business Advice

  • How to Start

SmallBizLady Store

  • Products
  • Free Chapter

Get In Touch

  • Write For Us
  • FAQ
  • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Contact Us
Copyright © 2019
Quintessence Group
PO Box 280
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
(610) 352-0680
Privacy Policy · Refund Policy

Copyright © 2021 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in