PoSH Training – Online Course V/s Facilitator Led Workshop, which is better?

In the recent times the value of training has only grown. If the treads are any indication, it is expected that the training industry is expected to grow by 250% in next two years and this is a conservative estimate.

With use of computer and laptop becoming more common post year 2000 and smart phones becoming household necessity over last 10 years, learning platforms and education based websites have multiplied many folds leading to high consumption of online courses and modules. Since 2020, once the global Covid-19 pandemic hit, such courses have come more to the fore front of our daily lives. Learning becoming an important aspect of our lives is a great occurrence and it is expected to stay relevant for a long time.

As the recent trends suggest, ease of finding and consuming online courses and modules is the key reason for the growth of the training industry over last two years. This brings us to an important question, does this tread mean that the in person training or facilitator led courses will become redundant?

My one word answer is, NO. There are many reasons for this thought process.

The online courses has many pros however, there are multiple areas where having a facilitator led module will give higher impact results. One such area is the sexual harassment awareness program.

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 (also referred to as the “POSH Act”) came into existence in 2013. It has its foundations in the Vishaka Guidelines, and establishes a mechanism for dealing with sexual harassment complaints in the workplace.

One of the key pointers of the Act is that the organisation has to conduct awareness program at regular intervals. However, general thought process is ‘Why do we need it?” or such awareness programs are looked at with the view that it is an unproductive process. At many places anything that has the word ‘sex’ mentioned is something to be kept under wraps. Therefore, firms tend to take the easy route or least ‘intrusive’ way i.e by sharing a general online module or YouTube link talking about sexual harassment with the employees which they are expected to go through in private. This helps the organisation tick mark the check box but does it really help?

Here are some pointers that you should consider before deciding on the way forward for a sexual harassment program.

Flexibility of online module V/s instructor led training – It is an accepted fact that online modules provide higher flexibility to the end user and they can learn at their time and pace. However, when it comes to programs like the sexual harassment workshop, an instructor led method is better suited as it helps all participants to take the program seriously, ask questions and get answers in real time.

?Better Learning – In an online module the organisation is dependent on the employee to find time and finish the program. Moreover, there is always a possibility that the video is ‘played’ and left without actually watching it even if the module is made very well, learning may not happen. In an instructor led training, there is a structure and time bound approach. A well planned, interactive workshop can really help create the right awareness and impact.

?Online Module is cost effective – On the face of it, an online module looks like a cheaper option. However, if we analyse it better an instructor led program is more economical in the long run.

?Group Learning – For all of us learning begins with lessons in a classroom with a teacher, where we are physically present (and supposedly attentive). This method is still the most widely used form of learning and absorbing new knowledge, current pandemic notwithstanding.

Even in the online world with an instructor led workshop the impact created is much higher as we tend to learn better from each other.

?Privacy – Many organisations believe that a topic like sexual harassment should not be discussed in public as it will make people uncomfortable.

On the contrary, in today’s world when people from varied background work in a mixed gender environment, it is important to highlight these issues and do such workshops in groups. This leads to higher acceptance and helps handle taboo. There was a time when there were many unfavourable opinion related to sex education in school or creating awareness about condom use. However, better sense prevailed and group education on the topuc only helped us move forward together and safely. An awareness program on sexual harassment at workplace falls in the same bracket.

?In short, I believe it is important to have a facilitator run a sexual harassment program and the organisation can ensure that such a program is made interactive and is not a one way street.

However, the organisation can always look to implement a hybrid model. The awareness program has to be run from time to time by the organisation. They can create a time table for the year and have one facilitator led program and for the remaining slots use an online module as a refresher. This will lead to a better informed team.

Disclaimer?- One of the services offered through my firm is, conducting workshops on 'Gender Sensitisation and PoSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) at workplace - Employee Awareness Program' .