Why do your supervisors and other leaders need compliance training? The answer is simple: untrained leaders can expose your business to serious legal and financial risks. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) highlights the importance of training, noting that “[a]n employer is vicariously liable for a hostile work environment created by a supervisor.” Put another way, if a supervisor breaks the law, then the employer may be held responsible for that supervisor’s actions.
Training can empower managers to spot, resolve, and prevent potential issues before they escalate. Proactively addressing issues ensures that supervisors understand and consistently enforce your organization’s policies, helping to prevent claims and lawsuits.
The cost of not taking training seriously is clear. In fiscal year 2023 alone, the EEOC received 81,055 new discrimination charges, marking a 10% increase from 2022. In our jurisdiction of Idaho, the average jury verdict for an employment law claim from 2019 to 2024 was a staggering $1 million, with most cases taking an average of 2.5 years to resolve. Beyond the financial impact, litigation also brings burdens like legal fees, prolonged stress, potential reputational damage, and a decrease in productivity – all of which could be avoided with proactive compliance training.
Proactive training enables supervisors to understand federal and state laws, identify risks early, and navigate critical processes like disability accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Did you know that nationwide employers have more disability claims under the ADA (and related state law) brought against them than claims under any other law? Do your supervisors understand the scope of the ADA, including that mental health is a tricky issue and can be covered? Do your supervisors know how to internally run through the ADA reasonable accommodation process if a problem arises? How about new developments related to LGBTQ+ protections under Title VII? Do your supervisors understand the changes and how they impact the workplace?
These issues can be fact-specific and very complicated. Investing in compliance training not only builds better leaders, but also strengthens your organizational culture, creating a workplace where employees feel respected and protected. Taking steps to train your team now can save your business thousands of dollars – and avoid the courtroom and the burden of litigation altogether.
If you want to protect your business with training that works for you, reach out to Law for Leaders. We have customized options available to suit your company’s needs and circumstances.