What is sensitivity training?
The Ultimate Guide to Sensitivity Training: Boost Workplace Harmony and Inclusivity
Sensitivity training is a vast topic that can be confusing when attempting to understand its purpose, how it will benefit your organization, and what steps you can take to introduce a dynamic program that genuinely fits your workplace.Â
By Kevin James Saunders, Global Learning & Support
Last Updated On March 20, 2025
This article was written by a human.
Let’s face it- the world is shrinking, and even ‘mom-and-pop‘ workplaces, like a family-owned restaurant or a small local store, are becoming more global than ever! You don’t have to be a multinational company to have a team with a mixture of values, identities, cultures, and religions. In 2024, this represents our diverse, multicultural communities.
Tolerance, inter-cultural dialogue and respect for diversity are more essential than ever in a world where people are becoming more and more closely interconnected.
Will all of your team members understand the importance of respectfully engaging others and appreciating differences? Some people may, but others may not! Many organizations choose to wait for an incident of disrespect and then react, but that can be too little or too late for this crucial conversation. Taking a proactive approach puts you in control and can lead to great inclusion and respect!
Sensitivity training is nothing to be afraid of! Ir can be a great tool to start workplace conversations about diversity, inclusion, and respectful communication, when done correctly.
In this guide, we will explain:
What is sensitivity training, and how can we leverage it to boost workplace harmony and inclusivity?
To make things easier for you, check out Oculus’ customized sensitivity training offerings. Our training experts can customize a program for your entire organization, from team members to the C-level, to achieve a more productive and inclusive work environment. Let us do the heavy lifting for you, and get started today!
The Core Principles of Sensitivity Training
What is sensitivity training?
Sensitivity training, or diversity training, is a workplace development tool that utilizes psychological techniques to promote a more inclusive and respectful attitude toward others. This type of human resources training aims to nurture a more harmonious workplace through self-awareness of an individual’s behaviors, attitudes, and biases.
In many organizations, or when required by law, a yearly online or in-person meeting is scheduled between members throughout the company to examine different issues around the core principles of sensitivity. This often takes the form of a course on anti-bullying, anti-sexual harassment, or respectful workplace communications but can also be a part of a continuous effort to enhance the organization’s culture.
The core principles of sensitivity training generally include:
Awareness
Increase awareness through education, active listening, recognizing, and addressing biases.
Empathy
Improve emotional intelligence, appreciate others' differences, and understand others' perspectives. Create an environment where all employees feel valued and respected.
Respect
Set clear definitions around respect, boundaries, advanced communication techniques, and conflict handling.
Inclusion
Improve cultural and identity competency. Understand how diverse cultural, social, and personal backgrounds can impact work collaboration.
Equity
Promote fairness, advocate for equitable practices, and address systemic barriers and discrimination.
Accountability
Understand and take ownership of our role in creating a respectful workplace environment.
Diversity
Embrace and be open to different values, beliefs, races, cultures, sexual orientations, religions, social classes, genders, identities, and expressions.
Common Course Names
Search Terms / Synonyms
When searching for sensitivity training course content, you should be searching for commonly used industry keywords or terms like:
- Accessibility Training
- Anti-Discrimination Training
- Bystander Intervention Training
- Compliance Training
- Cultural Competency or Cultural Awareness Training
- DEI Training
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Training
- Gender Dynamics Training
- LGTBQ2SA+ Training
- Harassment or Anti-Harassment Training
- Respectful Workplace Communications Training
- Sexual Harassment Training
- Workplace Violence Training
Benefits of Sensitivity Training
Creating a training program is a significant endeavor. Onboarding and employee development require substantial effort and may make you feel stuck in a never-ending cycle of tasks. Adding more “essential” content to your training to-do list might understandably seem overwhelming for managers and the human resources department.
Many people might think that having discussions about respect, values, and emotions is too “woke” or “liberal,” but including sensitivity training in the onboarding and employee development process has significant benefits for employees and employers, including improved well-being, productivity, legal compliance, and financial outcomes.
Benefits of Sensitivity Training for Employers
Employers stand to gain significantly from investing in sensitivity training. A more inclusive and harmonious workplace can increase employee satisfaction and retention, as individuals feel more valued and understood.
Less Hate & Harassment
Every organization wants to protect its team members from painful discrimination and harassment, and any sensitivity training can help reduce harassment by 25%. If the training is effective, an organization can see a reduction in discrimination complaints by up to 50%!
Legal and Compliance
The legal and compliance benefits are also significant. Sensitivity training can help businesses avoid costly lawsuits related to discrimination or harassment. Holman Schiavone Law says the average settlement in harassment lawsuits is around $50,000. That's not a number to ignore. By cultivating a respectful and inclusive workplace, companies can better adhere to federal, state, and local legal standards and regulations.
Conflict & Communications
Can sensitivity training help in reducing workplace conflicts?
Yes! Training can provide employees with skills to manage conflict more effectively and feel more confident when having uncomfortable conversations. Fewer complaints mean less strain on your manager, HR, and a more positive team dynamic. Everyone wins!
Increased Productivity & Financial Rewards
Can sensitivity training improve team productivity?
Absolutely! Organizations with inclusive cultures are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial targets. Sensitivity training can greatly enhance employee morale. Considering the amount of time we spend at work, feeling understood, valued, and respected can lead to greater satisfaction. Employers will benefit from increased job satisfaction as it often results in higher levels of employee engagement and productivity.
Increased Creativity
Want to boost creativity, innovation, and gain a competitive edge? Sensitivity training helps create an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and valued, allowing for a wide range of perspectives, ideas, and approaches. When individuals feel a sense of belonging, they are more likely to actively contribute.
Lower Turnover
When employees feel that their workplace is inclusive and respectful, they are less likely to seek employment elsewhere, reducing the costs associated with recruiting and training new staff.
What are the long-term benefits of sensitivity training for companies?
Let’s think long-term!
Sensitivity training can improve a company’s reputation. Businesses known for their inclusive and respectful work environments are more attractive to top talent and can enjoy a better public image. With online websites like Glass Door allowing past employees to post public feedback on a company, training can be a powerful differentiator in competitive markets.
Sensitivity training is crucial for both employees and employers, fostering a culture of respect, inclusivity, and collaboration in all aspects of a modern, forward-thinking workplace.
Benefits of Sensitivity Training for Employees
How does sensitivity training contribute to a positive work environment?
Saying that sensitivity training can contribute to a positive work environment is a huge statement, and you might doubt the lofty return on training investment claims that many training companies make, but they are not without merit.
Skills
Sensitivity training, or any training, is necessary to build a positive work environment. It enhances employees' understanding and allows team members to ask questions or challenge corporate ideals. It also develops essential interpersonal skills, such as empathy, active listening, conflict resolution, and cultural competence.
Exposure
Sensitivity training, in particular, educates team members about diverse cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. This can reduce prejudices and stereotypes and lead to a genuine appreciation of diversity. The training provides employees with a safe space to discuss diverse perspectives they may not encounter in their communities. Consequently, employees are more likely to respect and value each other's differences, fostering a more inclusive and harmonious workplace.
Better Communication
In any environment, communication breakdowns and misunderstandings are inevitable. Training can improve employees' communication skills by focusing on communicating more effectively and empathetically. This leads to a more cooperative and supportive work atmosphere where issues are resolved constructively, rather than escalating into more significant problems.
Belonging
The proper messaging of influential training can foster a sense of belonging among all team members, ultimately leading to a significant boost in employee morale and job satisfaction.
When employees feel respected and understood, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their work. This positive mindset can permeate throughout the organization, resulting in increased productivity and a more positive work culture overall.
What Topics Are Covered in Sensitivity Training?
Topics
You might be surprised to learn what is covered under the heading of sensitivity training. “Sensitivity” can mean a lot of things and covers a wide range of topics to ensure a comprehensive understanding of diversity, inclusion, communication, and respect in the workplace.
Sensitivity training aims to improve interpersonal relationships and communication in the workplace. It helps employees understand and respect diverse perspectives.
So what does this mean? Stop thinking of sensitivity training as just sexual harassment, bullying, and compliance. Sensitivity training topics should include team communication, handling conflict, developing relationships, and even team-building.
Below is a list of some of the most popular topics that can be covered within a sensitivity training course or program:
Cultural Competency
One key area is cultural competence, which involves understanding and appreciating cultural differences and how they impact workplace interactions. This is a beautiful way to open conversations and can create exposure to differences that team members may not receive in terms of community exposure.
Communication
Effective and respectful communication is also a critical component. This topic is often not discussed until we need to react to conflict or miscommunication. It involves learning how to communicate respectfully and effectively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.
Unconscious Bias
Another critical topic is unconscious bias. We all have biases but are often afraid to talk about them. This topic includes recognizing and addressing conscious or hidden biases that can influence decision-making and behavior, often without the individual's awareness.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is another focus area related to communication training. This includes developing the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions and those of others to foster a more empathetic and supportive work environment. That's an area we all could grow on.
Conflict Resolution
Conflict resolution skills are often not considered sensitivity training, but they are. This involves learning strategies to manage and resolve conflicts constructively, promoting a harmonious workplace.
Gender Dynamics
Gender sensitivity is a crucial topic. It covers understanding gender dynamics and promoting gender equality, ensuring that all employees feel respected and valued regardless of their gender.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment prevention is another vital area, and often, local laws require training in this area. This includes recognizing what constitutes sexual harassment, understanding its impact, and learning how to prevent and address it in the workplace.
Disability Awareness
Disability awareness should also be covered. This involves understanding the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, learning the power of language, and creating an inclusive environment that accommodates their needs.
Microaggressions
Microaggressions are a key topic as well. This includes identifying subtle, often unintentional, discriminatory comments or behaviors and learning how to address and prevent them.
Age Diversity & Generational Engagement
Age is only a number in a respectful workplace! Age diversity is an important aspect of sensitivity training. This involves understanding the value of a multigenerational workforce and promoting respect and collaboration among employees of different ages.
LGBTQ+ Inclusion
LGBTQ+ inclusion is another critical area. This includes understanding the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and learning how to create a supportive and inclusive environment for them.
Race & Ethnic Diversity
Racism exists. It is crucial to have an open and honest conversation about how racism shows itself in our workplace. With a diverse community, racial and ethnic diversity should be a major focus of training. This involves understanding the importance of racial and ethnic diversity in the workplace and learning to promote inclusivity and respect for all racial and ethnic groups.
Religious Sensitivity
Religious sensitivity should also be covered. People should be able to celebrate their faith freely, and this is an area that is often protected by law. This training should include understanding and respecting colleagues' diverse religious beliefs and practices and learning how to accommodate these in the workplace.
Danger Zones
Respectful workplace behavior is another important topic. It might seem simple, but it is often a good idea to include training on what is appropriate to say and what not to speak about in the workplace. This can include a review of topics such as values, identities, privacy, gossip, and listening to warnings. This involves learning what constitutes respectful behavior and how to foster a culture of respect and dignity in the workplace.
Bullying & Harassment
Anti-bullying and harassment workplace training should cover a range of important topics to create a safe and respectful work environment. This training should include defining what constitutes bullying and harassment, examples of unacceptable behavior, the impact of harassment on individuals and the workplace, reporting procedures, and the consequences for engaging in such behavior. Additionally, the training should focus on promoting empathy, understanding, and respect among employees, as well as strategies for conflict resolution and creating a culture of inclusivity and support.
Privilege
Privilege awareness is a crucial topic. Although race is one common privilege, there is much more to this training area. This training should include understanding the concept of privilege, recognizing one's own privileges, and learning how to use this awareness to promote equality and inclusivity.
Empathy
Empathy training is another key component. Empathy training involves developing the capacity to understand the feelings of others, consider perspectives, fostering a more compassionate and supportive work environment.
Bystander Intervention
If you see someone being harassed or disrespected at work or even in public, you should act. Sensitivity training should teach you how to support victims effectively and be confident to speak up on their behalf when needed.
Inclusive Leadership
Relevant sensitivity training also covers inclusive leadership. This includes developing the skills and knowledge needed to lead diverse teams effectively and promoting inclusivity and equity in all aspects of leadership.
By addressing issues such as race, gender, age, religion, and other potentially sensitive topics, sensitivity training provides employees with the tools they need to navigate a multicultural work setting effectively.
Whether talking about customer service training online or in person, it’s fundamental to consider the minimum requirements of developing a successful program for your team.
What are the signs that a workplace needs sensitivity training?
Free Assessment
Does your organization need sensitivity training? You might think everything is fine, but it’s important to dive a little deeper to better understand what is really happening within your organization.
If you work in management, you might need a clearer idea of what is happening behind the scenes between team members. Many people are afraid to speak up when they experience disrespect, harassment, or discrimination.
10 of the most common signs that you need sensitivity training are:
- An Increase in HR Complaints
- Ongoing Legal Issues
- Consistent Communication Breakdowns
- Employee tension, lack of team building, and workplace cliques.
- Negative Public Perception
- Resistance to Change
- Lack of Awareness
- Lack of Diversity
- High Turnover
- Not currently up-to-date with compliance laws
We have developed a simple free sensitivity training assessment to help you determine whether you might need sensitivity training at your location. Take the assessment below.
We have developed a simple questionnaire to help you determine if you need training. If you answer yes to any of the questions below, we recommend incorporating training into your employee development strategy.
Free Sensitivity Assessment
Free Sensitivity Assessment
Besides taking our free assessment, you can take some internal actions to understand your training needs and if you should incorporate sensitivity training.
Simple measures you can take to evaluate if you need sensitivity training.
Internal Actions
While our services are a valuable part of the solution, they are not a standalone fix (This is our hint to choose us!). The success of any training program hinges on the internal steps taken within your organization. If you sit back and do nothing, the training won’t have its intended impact or press change. Internal actions will ensure not just compliance, but also the effectiveness of the training.
Speak With Team Members
Engaging in conversations with various team members to understand their perspectives on sensitivity training is a crucial step. Their insights can be invaluable in addressing issues such as harassment, conflict, discrimination, communication breakdowns, or even gossip. Team members often provide a realistic pulse of what is happening within the team, making their input an integral part of the evaluation process.
Consistent One-On-Ones
One-on-one meetings are a crucial tool for understanding the dynamics within your team. By making these meetings consistent, you can create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their challenges and issues. This direct communication can help you get a real sense of what's happening within your team.
Anonymous Surveys & Feedback
Providing avenues for anonymous feedback, whether through digital surveys or suggestion boxes, can be a powerful tool. It allows team members to express their thoughts and concerns without fear of retaliation, creating a safe and secure environment for open communication.
- Have a minimum of two years of experience in this type of training.
- Up-to-date on current laws, community language, and cultural expectations.
- Have previous experience in training, instructional design, or adult education.
- Be able to protect learners and stay confidential when exposed to sensitive information.
Review Complaints
Compile data from your complaints to establish any patterns or shifts within the team dynamic and culture. Don't just look at complaints from employees. If a company has received negative feedback from clients or customers regarding the behavior or attitudes of its employees, it is a strong sign that sensitivity training is needed. Customer complaints about insensitivity or discrimination can damage the company's reputation and indicate that employees need better training to interact inclusively and respectfully with a diverse clientele.
Think About Conflict
Compile data from your complaints to establish any patterns or shifts within the team dynamic and culture. Don't just look at complaints from employees. If a company has received negative feedback from clients or customers regarding the behavior or attitudes of its employees, it is a strong sign that sensitivity training is needed. Customer complaints about insensitivity or discrimination can damage the company's reputation and indicate that employees need better training to interact inclusively and respectfully with a diverse clientele.
What qualifications should a sensitivity training facilitator have?
The Right Coach
Whether you’re planning to conduct your training internally, with a lawyer, or through a specialized company, the choice of the right person for the job is paramount. This ensures not only legal compliance but also the effectiveness of the training.
We recommend reviewing your local and federal legal requirements on trainer qualifications. For example, in California, HR Professionals or Consultants must have at least two years of practical experience in dealing with discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment issues unless they are working with an attorney or an accredited university.
At a minimum, your facilitator should:
- Have a minimum of two years of experience in this type of training.
- Up-to-date on current laws, community language, and cultural expectations.
- Have previous experience in training, instructional design, or adult education.
- Be able to protect learners and stay confidential when exposed to sensitive information.
For example, At Oculus, all our trainers have at least ten years of experience and advanced University education. This extensive experience ensures that the right person leads our courses, providing you with the highest quality of training.
Additionally, you would need a facilitator who:
- Feels comfortable responding to resistance and challenging questions or comments.
- Non-judgemental and able to put their ideals aside for the training.
- Can customize or pivot the training as the need arises within the session.
Remember, when it comes to trainer qualifications, less is not more. The facilitator should have the necessary experience to provide this essential training effectively.
Summary
Guide Summary
SUMMARY
Considerations and actions when incorporating sensitivity training:
- Sensitivity training is a tool to promote inclusivity and respect in the workplace through psychological techniques and self-awareness.
- Key principles include awareness, empathy, respect, inclusion, equity, accountability, and embracing diversity.
- It aims to improve workplace harmony by fostering understanding and appreciation for diverse values, cultures, and identities.
- Organizations are encouraged to implement sensitivity training proactively rather than reactively to incidents of disrespect.
- Benefits of sensitivity training include enhanced employee well-being, increased productivity, legal compliance, and improved financial outcomes.
- Training programs can be tailored to suit the specific needs of an organization, including all levels from team members to executives.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sensitivity training pushing a "woke agenda"?
Some might think discussing respect, values, and emotions is too “woke” or “liberal,” but this isn’t the case when the training is designed correctly. The training should focus on respecting, developing relationships, and creating a positive workplace. Resistant learners may misunderstand what will be covered in the training due to past experiences.
When customizing your training or working with a company like Oculus to customize a program, the message can be developed to avoid resistance and focus on important areas of concern. Nothing has to be “too woke,” and you always have the final say on what will be covered and how.
One thing to note is that there can sometimes be a fear about training if a person has behaviours or actions that they already know are unacceptable.
Training often includes activities that promote empathy and self-awareness.
Rather than change their behaviour, offenders resist conversations underlining their mistakes. Pay close attention to these learners, as they are a potential liability for any organization.
Our made-to-measure sensitivity training can cost way less than creating your own!
Speak with the expert! Schedule a meeting with one of our training experts.