Assessing local government sexual harassment policies

This article examines sexual harassment policies in local governments to assess compliance with model policies, and the nature and extent of training on the topic, and provides policy recommendations where policies appear lacking. A content analysis of municipal sexual harassment policies in the state of Michigan suggests that policy shortcomings are those of omission rather than commission. Few policies include any elements that have been identified as being detrimental to effective implementation processes. Rather, many policies are silent on aspects that are critical to successful implementation. And this silence has several very important potential repercussions for the effective implementation of policies as well as an ultimate reduction in the levels of workplace sexual harassment.