Microsoft Essentials

Welcome to the “A Guide to Using Correct Gender Pronouns” video lesson created to educate viewers on how using correct pronouns at work is a way to show basic respect to one another. This lesson first defines and explains terms like transgender and nonbinary, with a special focus on utilizing they/them pronouns. Next, the lesson dives into using correct gender pronouns at work as a civil rights issue to be taken very seriously. Finally, viewers will learn key steps they can take to create a safer and more inclusive work environment for transgender individuals. Ultimately, viewers will be more educated in this crucial area.

Welcome to the “Accommodating Disabilities” video course intended to help employers maintain a welcoming workplace where individuals living with disabilities can thrive. This course, which comprises six video lessons, sheds some light on the Americans with Disabilities Act and explains how organizations should handle medical and/or disability-related leave requests. In addition, this course describes the appropriate etiquette for interacting with individuals living with disabilities and offers strategies for boosting the productivity of workers who have psychiatric disabilities.

Emergencies involving violence are unfortunately a real possibility in today's workplace. This can also include encountering an active shooter on the premises. One of your job responsibilities is to be prepared and know how to respond should such an emergency occur at your workplace. Knowing the proper procedures to follow during an emergency could mean the difference between life and death. The purpose of this program is to familiarize you with basic response practices when encountering workplace violence, practices that will help you to be prepared for and to respond to a violent emergency. Topics include indicators of potentially violent behavior, how to respond to violent behavior, how to respond to an active shooter situation, and how to react when law enforcement arrives at an active shooter scene. This content is also translated in Spanish.

Welcome to the “Active Shooter: Responding in the Worst-Case Scenario” video lesson intended to help you know what to do in the event of an active shooter attack. First, you’ll learn about common warning signs of violence. Then, you’ll learn how to assess and react when you encounter an active shooter at work so you don’t panic and freeze. After viewing this lesson, you’ll be better equipped to respond in an active shooter situation and keep you and your coworkers safe.

Welcome to “Amplification: Promoting Women’s Voices at Work,” a video lesson created to ensure everyone has an equally strong voice in the workplace. In this lesson, you’ll learn what amplification is and how it was developed. Then, you’ll go through the action steps for amplifying someone’s voice when their idea is stolen or ignored by their peers. Ideally, you’ll leave this lesson with the courage and conviction to speak up when someone’s voice is being unfairly drowned out or silenced.

Welcome to the “Anti-Harassment Crash Course” video series intended to provide focused and actionable content on the topic of sexual harassment. This course, which comprises four video lessons, explains what sexual harassment is and describes what constitutes workplace harassment. In addition, it addresses how to avoid being an offender and how to respond if you witness or endure sexual harassment. Finally, this lesson outlines the employer’s duties in sexual harassment situations at work. Ultimately, learners should understand what sexual harassment is and know how to deal with it if it occurs.

Welcome to the “Antitrust Law” video course meant to teach you all about the laws in place to protect consumers and promote competition in the marketplace. This course comprises three lessons, covering everything from what antitrust law entails to what actions you should avoid in order to ensure compliance. First, you’ll learn about the Sherman Antitrust Act and how antitrust law is enforced on national and international levels. Next, you’ll learn about certain activities, like bid rigging and affecting a price, that you should avoid when working with competitors. Finally, this course poses several scenarios to demonstrate how you can inadvertently restrain trade and use your power unfairly when interacting with competitors and customers. By completing this course, you’ll understand the basics of antitrust compliance and how to ensure your actions are within the lines of the law.

Welcome to the “Bystander Intervention for Sexual Harassment” course designed to prepare employees to be active bystanders during sexual harassment instead of indifferent bystanders. This course, comprising six lessons, defines sexual harassment, outlines the barriers to act that bystanders face, and provides intervention tools bystanders can use to address sexual harassment. After this course, viewers will be able to recognize sexual harassment, identify when they should intervene, and be able to intervene using the distract, delegate, direct, or delay intervention tactics. When paired with an Illinois-specific anti-harassment training course, t his course is compliant with training requirements for Chicago, IL employees.

Welcome to the “California Human Trafficking” video course meant to describe what human trafficking is, how to recognize the signs of potential victims, and how to respond effectively. This course comprises four lessons that help you become more aware of human trafficking and child exploitation that might be occurring in your hotel and motel. You’ll also learn how to respond in a way that doesn’t jeopardize your safety or the safety of the potential victims. Lastly, you’ll get an overview of methods you can implement in your own workplace to help proactively put a stop to human trafficking. To help ensure legal compliance, this course was reviewed by Leonard Rivera, J.D., CIPP-US.

Welcome to the “Child Protection” course intended to teach people who work with children and teens about child maltreatment. This course, comprising of five lessons, discusses the laws, governing bodies, and processes involved in investigating reports of child abuse and neglect. Learners will discover red flags commonly seen in abusive caretakers, as well as red flags often seen in child victims. Also covered are ways to improve the process of hiring people who will work with minors as well as the basics of establishing healthy boundaries between adults and the minors in their care. After viewing this course, learners will have a better grasp of the various realities of child abuse and neglect, as well as ways they can better address related concerning situations.

Welcome to the “Culture of Civility: Creating a Harassment-Free Workplace” video course meant to help employees understand how to recognize and respond to harassment, as well as how to behave appropriately and prevent harassment from occurring in the first place. This course, comprising nine video lessons, defines different types of harassment, explains how bystanders can respond, and describes the process for making harassment complaints. By learning about things like the reasonable person standard and the federally protected classes, viewers will be better able to navigate workplace situations and keep themselves and their coworkers safe from harassing and inappropriate behavior. After completing this course, viewers will be familiar with workplace issues like sexual harassment, abusive conduct, and harassment based on sex and gender as well as how to address them.

Welcome to the “Culture of Civility: Creating a Harassment-Free Workplace” video course meant to help supervisors understand how to recognize and respond to harassment, as well as how to behave appropriately and prevent harassment from occurring in the first place. This course, comprising 18 video lessons, defines different types of harassment, explains how bystanders can respond, and describes the process for investigating harassment complaints. By learning about things like the reasonable person standard and the federally protected classes, viewers will be better able to navigate workplace situations and keep themselves and their coworkers safe from harassing and inappropriate behavior. After completing this course, viewers will be familiar with workplace issues like sexual harassment, abusive conduct, and harassment based on sex and gender.

Welcome to “Empathy ADA: Promoting Understanding and Accessibility,” a video course intended to foster empathy among people with differing abilities and promote the importance of accessibility for all. This series comprises four lessons that describe ways to be accommodating to and communicate with people who have disabilities. First, this course makes a case for developing empathy among all people who live and work in the world. Then, it goes over visual and hearing impairments, as well as different ways you can make your content and workplace more accessible to people with those disabilities. Finally, this course goes over several communication best practices so that you can be more inclusive in all you do and say.

Welcome to the “Employee Retention Crash Course” meant to give you a foundational understanding of employee retention and how to improve it at your organization. This video course, which comprises four video lessons, highlights the negative impact of high turnover and the advantages of high retention. In addition, it describes common causes of turnover and provides strategies for evaluating what’s prompting people to leave your workplace. Finally, this lesson offers several action steps for retaining key talent at your organization.

Welcome to the “Establishing Equity” video course intended to show viewers how to move towards equity in the workplace. This course, comprising five video lessons, walks through the four elements of the DEI continuum: diversity, inclusion, equality, and equity. The first lesson lays out and describes the basic premise of the continuum. Then, the following lessons describe each step along the continuum in detail. Additionally, each lesson provides viewers with action steps for promoting the principles of DEI in their workplace. Ultimately, viewers of this course will have a better understanding of the concept of DEI, with special attention and consideration paid to the overarching concept of equity.

Welcome to the “Exit Interviews” video course, which sheds light on the interviews designed to gain insight from employees departing from the organization. This course, comprising three video lessons, highlights the importance of exit interviews, explains how to implement an exit interview program, and provides tips for conducting exit interviews effectively. In addition, viewers will learn how to make the most of their own exit interview when they quit their job and move on to a different organization. Ultimately, learners should understand why exit interviews are so important for boosting employee retention and improving the organization overall.

Welcome to the “Anti-Harassment for Employees with Catherine Mattice” Expert Insights course that dives into meaningful and impactful harassment prevention training from a consultant who specializes in turning around toxic work environments. This course gives an engaging and approachable insight into the damage that negative behavior has on individuals and the workplace as a whole, starting with incivility. After watching this course, viewers will fully grasp what harassment, abusive conduct, and bullying entail and how to step in when they occur. They will also have an overview of the legal process of filing a complaint. Ultimately, this course will give employees actual strategies to contribute to a healthy and positive workplace environment. This course is intended for employees of all levels.

Welcome to the “Anti-Harassment with Catherine Mattice” Expert Insights course that covers effective ways that supervisors can create an organizational culture that prevents harassment from occurring, all from a consultant who specializes in turning around toxic work environments. This course dives into how to build a positive work environment and prevent abusive conduct. After watching this course, supervisors and managers will know how their role has a definite impact in stopping toxic behavior in the workplace and their responsibilities under the law. This course is intended for supervisors.

Welcome to the “Expert Insights: Disability Inclusion with Liz Johnson” course, designed to familiarize learners with the nuances of language surrounding disability and to combat common misconceptions caused by bias and ableism. Liz is Director and Co-Founder of The Ability People, and helps businesses empower people with disabilities in their workforce through meaningful inclusion. This course, comprising 13 lessons, explores having inclusive interaction, normalizing differences, and promoting equity in the workplace.

Welcome to the “Expert Insights: Freedom From Racism with Marshall Fields: Embracing EmpatheticCommunication” course, designed to help learners become more comfortable discussing racism and racially charged topics. This course, comprising nine lessons, explores how racism was rebranded after the Reconstruction Era, how it was able to survive across generations, and how people today can practice empathy to overcome their discomfort with the subject. This course is Part 2 of 2 from expert Marshall Fields.

Welcome to the “Expert Insights: Freedom From Racism with Marshall Fields: Learning the Language and Barriers” course, designed to introduce learners to the language of racism and the barriers they may face when working toward meaningful change. This course, comprising 13 lessons, explores how to approach racially charged topics with a humble mindset and a dedication for positive communication, all the while teaching how systemic racism came to be and how it appears in the past and present. This course is Part 1 of 2 from expert Marshall Fields. To access your activity IDs, a "View CECertificate" button will display on the profile upon completion of thecourse. This program is valid for 2.5 PDC for Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 2.5 hour(s) of recertification credit through the HRCertification Institute (HRCI) and 2.5 PDU for the Project Management Institute(PMI).

Welcome to “Expert Insights: Inclusive Mindset with Justin Jones-Fosu,” a video course meant to help you authentically embrace diversity and inclusion. Presented by Justin Jones-Fosu, founder and CEO of Work Meaningful, this course comprises 16 lessons and is part of our Expert Insights series. Throughout this course, you’ll explore what diversity is and isn’t, gain a picture of the inclusive mindset vision, and consider why mindset matters in the first place. Then, you’ll explore the circles of grace model, learn the difference between positive intent and positive impact, and discover the value of authentically listening to learn about others’ experiences. This course even provides guidance on challenging your negative assumptions, engaging in meaningful dialogue, practicing sincere empathy, and being an intentionally inclusive leader. By viewing this course and following the action forward steps included in each lesson, you’ll be able to create an inclusive mindset plan that allows you to be an advocate and ally for those who are marginalized.

Welcome to “The Culture Cure with Catherine Mattice” Expert Insights course that outlines the journey from a damaged culture to a positive one from a consultant who specializes in turning around toxic work environments. This course examines the behavior present in a damaged work environment, plus how businesses can audit their practices and values to promote needed change. After watching this course, viewers will understand the dangers of a toxic work culture and how they can support positive change in their organization.

Welcome to the “Expert Insights: The Manager’s Guide to Building a Belonging Culture with Dr. Elisa Glick” course that investigates how fostering a culture of belonging is essential to increasing job satisfaction, performance, and employee retention. Dr. Glick is the Founder and President of Elisa Glick Consulting, where she works to help organizations create actionable plans for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This course, comprising 12 lessons, will show how a genuine sense of connection can benefit retention and company culture, and the role a manager plays in building a culture of belonging within their team.

Welcome to the “Florida Human Trafficking” video course meant to describe what human trafficking is, how to recognize the signs of potential victims, and how to respond effectively. This course comprises four lessons that help you become more aware of human trafficking and child exploitation that might be occurring in your hotel and motel. You’ll also learn how to respond in a way that doesn’t jeopardize your safety or the safety of the potential victims. Lastly, you’ll get an overview of methods you can implement in your own workplace to help proactively put a stop to human trafficking.

Welcome to the “Florida Human Trafficking” video course meant to describe what human trafficking is, how to recognize the signs of potential victims, and how to respond effectively. This course comprises four lessons that help you become more aware of human trafficking and child exploitation that might be occurring in your hotel and motel. You’ll also learn how to respond in a way that doesn’t jeopardize your safety or the safety of the potential victims. Lastly, you’ll get an overview of methods you can implement in your own workplace to help proactively put a stop to human trafficking.

Welcome to the “HIPAA Crash Course,” which is intended to provide a quick but comprehensive look at HIPAA and how it’s applied to the workplace. This course comprises four video lessons that lay the foundation for understanding HIPAA and describe the three main rules within it. First, there’s the Privacy Rule, which provides parameters for handling protected health information, or PHI, properly. Then, there’s the Security Rule, which explains the standards and specifications you need to secure electronic PHI, or ePHI. And, lastly, there’s the Breach Notification Rule, which ensures you respond appropriately when a HIPAA breach occurs. By completing this crash course, you’ll become familiar with how to navigate the contemporary healthcare system under HIPAA while remaining compliant and keeping information secure.

Welcome to the “HR Law” video course meant to give learners the resources they need to adhere to federal laws that apply to their organization. This course, comprising 11 video lessons, addresses major pieces of HR legislation, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and more. Ultimately, learners should feel confident in their ability to stay well within the lines of the law, as well as take advantage of the protections they have as employees.

Welcome to the “Hiring Crash Course,” which is designed to take the learner through the process of hiring the best possible candidate for their organization. This course, comprising four video lessons, covers everything from understanding the job you're filling to properly conducting an interview. Ultimately, the viewer of this crash course will be better equipped to navigate the hiring process and find a new hire who’s the right fit for their organization.

Welcome to the “Hiring Remotely” video course intended to help learners attract, interview, and onboard top talent for remote positions. This course, which comprises three video lessons, kicks off with tips for recruiting top-notch applicants who will be a culture fit for the organization and thrive in a remote role. Then, the course addresses best practices for interviewing candidates over video conferencing software. Finally, viewers will learn tips and tricks for virtually onboarding new employees as they start out in their remote position.

It’s estimated that more than a quarter of employees experience some form of sexual harassment in their professional lives – and for women, that number might be as high as 85%. That’s a staggering percentage, and entirely unacceptable. Any amount of workplace harassment is too much, and companies that fail to appreciate that are not only doing their employees a grave disservice but will ultimately suffer severe consequences in the form of high turnover, low productivity, abysmal morale, and the not-so-occasional lawsuit.

Welcome to the "Microaggressions at Work: Recognizing and Overcoming Biases” lesson intended to teach learners all about microaggressions. This lesson covers what microaggressions are, what different forms they come in, and how to respond to one if it happens. It also dives into how to react as a bystander if a microaggression occurs around you and what to start doing to prevent committing a microaggression. After viewing, learners will have a comprehensive view of microaggressions and be more aware of how their well-intended words could be taken in an insulting way.

Welcome to the “Onboarding” video course created to help viewers understand every aspect of the onboarding process. This course, comprising five video lessons, emphasizes the importance of onboarding for overall company success and employee engagement. In this course, learners will become familiar with the entire onboarding process, from day one to day 365. Viewers will learn about topics such as the difference between onboarding and orientation, what makes onboarding effective, how to communicate culture through a formal onboarding program, and much more. Ultimately, viewers of this course will have a better understanding of the onboarding process as an integral part of any successful organization.

Let’s face it. There are people in this world who were silly enough to not be born at the same time as you. Some of them are so young they may still need help tying their shoes. Some of them are so old they may have crossed spears with the dinosaurs. If only there were a way to make everyone on the planet act and think exactly like you…However, since that is both impossible and a truly terrible idea, it might be better to learn how to work with people from different backgrounds, time periods, and perspectives – which is why we’ve created Overcoming Generational Differences.

Welcome to “Protected Classes and the Workplace,” a video lesson meant to help you understand what the protected classes are and how to ensure they remain protected at work. First, viewers will learn about the legislation that established the protected classes on the federal level, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Then, viewers will learn about what qualifies as discrimination and retaliation, particularly as it relates to employment practices. Finally, this lesson covers a few steps you can take as an individual and as an organization to help protect everyone at work.

Welcome to the “Recruiting Crash Course” intended to provide basic knowledge of the recruitment process from forecasting, to making a job offer, and everything in between. This course, comprising five video lessons, is designed to educate the viewer on the steps of the recruitment process and to make them better recruiters. Ultimately, the viewer of this course will be able to look at the recruiting process with a customer service mindset. And, they’ll be better equipped to recognize a great candidate when they see one.

Welcome to the “Remote Onboarding” course designed to teachorganizations about creating virtual onboarding programs. This course,comprising three lessons, helps companies understand the onboarding processbetter and how they can navigate a successful program remotely. This experienceguides company leaders by explaining why onboarding matters, how it improvesthe company, and the steps for making a program. By the end, organizations willfeel empowered to transition into remote onboarding models to accommodate allemployees—no matter their location.

Welcome to the “Bullying” video lesson meant to explain how to prevent abusive conduct from happening and deal with it appropriately if it does occur. This video lesson is part of the “Respect at Work” series, which guides employees to cultivate a respectful and inviting workplace. During this lesson, viewers will learn what bullying is, what it can look like, and what they should do if they’re a target or bystander. Plus, this lesson describes the negative effects of bullying, as well as the preventative measures organizations should take regarding bullying.

Welcome to the “Stop Sexual Harassment” video course intended to help the learner understand how to stop sexual harassment in the workplace. This course, comprising three video lessons, begins by defining sexual harassment and its elements, then provides action steps for all possible roles in a sexual harassment situation, and finally summarizes best practices that management should utilize in sexual harassment investigations. This course is focused on what actions can be taken to stop and prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

Welcome to the “Succession Planning” video course intended to help organizations understand and preserve their value with succession planning. This course, comprising four video lessons, will cover when (and why) you need to cross-train, a basic process for succession planning, the transition process when someone leaves, and the transfer of ownership of a business. After completing this course, learners should know why they need to prioritize succession planning and will have the knowledge they need to get started today.

Welcome to “The 5 Generations” video course created to teach viewers about what makes each generation tick. This course, comprising six video lessons, outlines each of the five generations in detail and explains how best to work with them. The first lesson sets the stage by describing the differences and similarities between the generations as a whole and establishes the importance of working effectively within a multigenerational workforce. From there, each lesson focuses on its own specific generation, from what shaped it to the characteristics associated with it to how to work productively with members of that generation.

Welcome to “The Employer’s Guide to The PUMP Act” lesson, which is designed to give HR professionals and managers all they need to know to support employees who have rights to take time to pump milk at work. This lesson explains the required accommodations to be compliant under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the PUMP Act, such as how to provide a suitable private space and compensation requirements during the time they spend pumping while at work. After watching, viewers should understand what accommodations they’re legally required to provide, and how to better support these new parents who are managing the important task of pumping for the benefit of their child.

Welcome to the “The HR Guide to LGBTQIA+ Equality in theWorkplace” lesson intended to give HR professionals a rundown of LGBTQIA+rights in the workplace. This lesson covers what the LGBTQIA+ acronym standsfor, how this term relates to worker rights, and why equity should be the goalfor every organization. Then, viewers will walk through some of therecommendations of the Corporate Equality Index as put out by the Human RightsCampaign Foundation. After viewing, you’ll have concrete, actionable ways tomake your organization more inclusive to members of the queer community.

While sexual harassment training has been mandatory in many U.S. organizations for decades, if we’re going to be honest, it hasn’t always made a significant impact. Walking the Walk: Preventing Sexual and Other Forms of Harassment in the Workplace takes on this challenge directly, pointing out that just talking about the problem is not enough.Combatting gender harassment and racism, ensuring equity and inclusion, and the importance of a respectful workplace are at the forefront of the national conversation, and this program’s engaging scenarios emphasize the need to actually put these concepts into practice to ensure a productive, respectful, safe workplace culture.Walking the Walk not only covers basic definitions of sexual and other forms of harassment, it also explains that much of what is defined as harassment is inadvertent and avoidable. It describes the benefits of bias awareness, bystander intervention, and practicing civility as practical methods we can use to walk the walk, as well as talk the talk, in order to ensure a happy, legally compliant workplace free from any form of abusive conduct.

While sexual harassment training has been mandatory in many U.S. organizations for decades, if we’re going to be honest, it hasn’t always made a significant impact. Walking the Walk: Preventing Sexual and Other Forms of Harassment in the Workplace for Managers takes on this challenge directly, pointing out that just talking about the problem is not enough.Combatting gender harassment and racism, ensuring equity and inclusion, and the importance of a respectful workplace are at the forefront of the national conversation, and this program’s engaging scenarios emphasize the need to actually put these concepts into practice to ensure a productive, respectful, safe workplace culture.Walking the Walk not only covers basic definitions of sexual and other forms of harassment, it also explains that much of what is defined as harassment is inadvertent and avoidable. It describes the benefits of bias awareness, bystander intervention, and practicing civility as practical methods managers and supervisors can use to walk the walk, as well as talk the talk, in order to ensure a happy, legally compliant workplace free from any form of abusive conduct.And it shows how proactive managers and supervisors can really make a difference.

Welcome to the “What Is Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)?” lesson intended to introduce learners to the updated term of DEIB, which stands for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. In this lesson, viewers will learn about each term, the importance of updating the language we use to talk about diversity, and what unconscious biases are. After viewing, learners will walk away with a broader understanding of workplace equality, and why equity is a more inclusive goal.

Welcome to the “Women in the Workplace” video course meant to help women succeed in the modern working world. This course comprises three video lessons that cover how sexism can manifest at work, tips for how women can help themselves in their careers, and methods for empowering women. By learning about things like microaggressions and benevolent sexism, viewers will start to recognize how sexist behaviors can occur between people at work. Then, female learners will gain key tips for how they can navigate their careers more effectively. Finally, managers will learn about what they can do to prevent stereotypes from affecting their decisions, as well as how they can support the development of their female employees. No matter what gender you identify as, this course will help you understand and minimize the effects of gender biases at work.

This part of the course provides a basic introduction to substance abuse in the workplace that applies to all employees that includes: understanding substance abuse, signs and symptoms of substance abuse, alcohol, and drug basics, and intervention and getting help.

Welcome to the “Working with Autistic Individuals” video lesson intended to help people improve their communication with coworkers on the autism spectrum. This lesson explains what autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is and goes into the specific challenges that autistic employees can face in organizational cultures. It also covers general tips for interacting with a coworker who has autism. Ultimately, viewers should feel more knowledgeable about autism and be encouraged to get to know their autistic coworkers as individuals.

MARCOM's Video On Demand (VOD) program on Workplace Violence discusses valuable information about how to recognize, prevent and handle violence in the workplace. Some people believe that a “certain amount of conflict” on the job is normal. But too often, arguments can escalate into insults, challenges and threats. Sometimes these conflicts can even become physical, and lead to serious injuries… even death. All of these situations are examples of “workplace violence”… and they can happen in any work environment. If they do, it can be stressful, bad for morale and downright dangerous. So how much conflict is too much? And where do we draw the line? Areas included in the program include defining violence in your workplace, warning signs that violence is going to occur, how to handle aggressive behavior, how to deal with violent behavior, creating a Workplace Violence Prevention Program and more.