Are you Johnson or Smith? - a bedtime story for grownups.

Once upon a time, there were two clients who wanted to make their workplace better. Their names were Mr. Smith and Ms. Johnson. They hired a consulting firm to help them create a better workplace culture. The consulting firm proposed a program called "POSH" (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) to address a critical issue in the workplace - the prevention of sexual harassment.

One day, Mr. Smith said that they should only do one session of POSH every year. Can you guess why he said that?

He believed that one session per year was enough, as he thought his employees had other work to do, and he didn't want to waste their time or his money.

On the other hand, Ms. Johnson wanted to do more than one session. Can you guess why she wanted to do that?

She was insistent on finding ways to improve her employees' understanding of POSH and create a more inclusive workplace. She believed that investing in her employees would have long-term benefits for her business.

The consulting firm tried to explain to Mr. Smith that investing in POSH training for his employees could help prevent sexual harassment incidents, which could ultimately save him money and protect his business from potential lawsuits. Can you guess why the consulting firm thought that?

The consulting firm believed that by investing in POSH training, the employees would be better equipped to prevent sexual harassment incidents, creating a safer workplace, which would prevent potential lawsuits that could be costly and damaging to the business.

However, Mr. Smith remained firm in his belief that one session per year was sufficient. Can you guess what could have been the potential drawbacks of Mr. Smith's approach?

Mr. Smith's approach could have put his business at risk, as his employees may not have been fully aware of the importance of preventing sexual harassment. This could create a negative workplace culture where employees may not have felt valued or respected. Additionally, this approach could have resulted in potential lawsuits, which would have been costly and damaging to his business.

Ms. Johnson's commitment to investing in her employees paid off in increased productivity, employee satisfaction, and a safer workplace. Can you guess why investing in employees can have long-term benefits for businesses?

Investing in employees can have long-term benefits for businesses as it creates a safer and more inclusive workplace, where employees feel valued and respected. This leads to increased motivation and engagement, ultimately resulting in increased productivity and employee satisfaction. Additionally, it can prevent potential lawsuits, which can be costly and damaging to the business.

After some time had passed, Mr. Smith began to see the impact of Ms. Johnson's approach. Her employees were more motivated, engaged, and felt a sense of belonging in the workplace. Meanwhile, Mr. Smith's employees seemed disengaged, and there was a negative vibe in the air.

One day, Mr. Smith had an epiphany - he realized that his approach was wrong, and he needed to invest in his employees. He reached out to the consulting firm and asked for their help in creating a program similar to Ms. Johnson's.

The consulting firm worked with Mr. Smith to create a customized training program for his employees. The program included multiple sessions of POSH training, as well as diversity and inclusion training. Mr. Smith's employees were excited about the opportunity to learn and grow, and they felt that their employer valued them.

Over time, Mr. Smith's business began to thrive as his employees became more productive, motivated, and engaged. He realized that investing in his employees was the best decision he ever made, and he wished he had done it sooner.

From that day on, Mr. Smith and Ms. Johnson's businesses continued to grow and prosper, and their employees worked happily ever after, knowing that their employers valued them and invested in their growth and development.

And so, Mr. Smith and Ms. Johnson learned an important lesson about investing in their employees. While Mr. Smith believed that doing one session of POSH every year would save him money, Ms. Johnson understood that investing in her employees would pay off in the long run. In the end, Ms. Johnson's commitment to creating a safe and inclusive workplace led to increased productivity, employee satisfaction, and a healthier workplace culture. As for Mr. Smith, his unwillingness to invest in his employees could have put his business at risk. The moral of the story is that investing in your employees is a wise choice that can bring long-term benefits and lead to a happier, healthier workplace for all.

And they all worked happily ever after.

Writer's note: Every day I and my team at UNGENDER engage in such difficult conversations. I write because there are some things that are difficult to put in spoken dialogues. I wish, like this story, I could tell such morals and examples to all the leaders out there, but since I cannot- here is an attempt to get the message across. And if anyone of you is either a Smith or a Johnson, write to us at [email protected] and let us get your journey started.