An employee is looking at a message on a smartphone while seated in a chair.

A supervisor messages a team member inviting them to a concert. When the team member declines the offer, the supervisor posts a message that reads:

A supervisor is posting a message using their laptop.

“Moving ahead in your career is all about having friends in high places.”

The supervisor is reading messages on her laptop.

Is the supervisor’s conduct appropriate?

An employee is laughing while telling a joke to a group of team members.

An employee tells an inappropriate joke that makes fun of his own religion, and among the employees who laughed at the joke is a supervisor.

The group of employees are gathered together in laughter.

Is it okay for the supervisor to laugh at the joke if everyone else seems to be okay with it?

An employee is reporting an incident to a supervisor in private.

When an employee files a complaint about racial remarks made by another employee, members of their work group retaliate by giving them the silent treatment.

An employee walks away after being ignored by colleagues.

Are colleagues allowed to retaliate against someone who files a harassment complaint?

An employee is having a conversation with their supervisor.

In this module, we will answer these and other difficult questions related to the special role that supervisors play in fostering and maintaining a safe and respectful workplace, free of harassment and discrimination.