SAJ presents workshops on Sexual Harassment Act, 2021

The Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) will host two workshops on the Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act, 2021 for management and team leaders, and line staff, respectively.

The session for management and team leaders is scheduled for Thursday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., while the workshop for line staff will be held on Tuesday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The three-hour workshops will familiarise management, staff and other key stakeholders of the provisions of the newly enacted Sexual Harassment Act, 2021 which, under the law, requires workplaces and institutions to issue sexual harassment policies and bring those policies to the attention of workers. The policy should advise workers, clients, students, residents, wards, and members on how complaints of sexual harassment should be reported and addressed.

The online workshop includes presentations, group discussions, case studies, and workplace scenarios with suggested best practice responses. Additionally, the management presentation will incorporate a background of sexual harassment in the Jamaican context, current criminal and civil laws, action that can be taken against employers, and international and regional perspectives on sexual harassment.

The workshop will be facilitated by corporate trainer and consultant Wayne Robinson, who has extensive experience in the public and private sectors, ranging from human resource management, industrial relations, organisational behaviour, to supervisory management and transformational leadership. Robinson is also an adjunct lecturer at The University of the West Indies.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange recently said workplaces and institutions will have 12 months from the implementation of the law to put their policies in place, while noting that the “work begins now”.

Additionally, she said she is awaiting the completion of administrative arrangements for the establishment of the Sexual Harassment Tribunal and the Sexual Harassment Unit before stating when the act will come into effect.

For more information, or to register, contact pallen@jamports.com.