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TRAINING

Greetings,

The workforce of the new millennium is one which reflects the diverse society from which it is drawn.  Florida International University  mirrors that reflection more than any other institution in the country. While at FIU, individuals have a right to be treated respectfully, both within the workplace and classrooms.As such, the University must foster an environment that is welcoming to individuals of varying sizes, shapes, colors, skills, talents, and abilities. In so doing, the institution must craft a learning and working environment free from offensive and harassing behavior.

In order to accomplish this goal, a few years ago Florida International University incorporated diversity into its strategic management philosophy.From this philosophy grew an initiative which recognized the rewards, as well as challenges, of having a multi-cultural workforce and student body.  It was strongly believed that through a program of cross-cultural training, the University's likelihood of success would be greatly enhanced.

The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs (EOP) has overall responsibility for implementing policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with all federal and state affirmative action and equal employment laws, rules, etc.  Therefore, since the EOP office plays a central role in investigating, mediating, and resolving conflicts, training around these issues was a natural outgrowth and began in 1998 with sexual harassment training, ADA and diversity were added in 1999.  Respect vs. harassment was just added this year, 2001. The training program is designed to assist individuals in identifying when the line between friendly behavior, acceptable joking, and flirtation has been crossed and the behavior is offensive and harassing.

The trainings are thought provoking, in that, they focus on actions participants can take, such as:

  1. Considering the advantages individuals with varying abilities bring to the workplace; 
  2. Examining the ways in which stereotypes set up barriers to communication; and 
  3. Exploring the responsibility of each employee to help maintain an environment free from harassment. Miscommunication and misunderstandings are bound to arise between and among these diverse groups. However, through our training program, participants are provided with skills needed to aid them in relating to people who may look and therefore think differently from them.

Hope to see you there. (View training schedule).