The Women In Trucking Association released new anti-harassment guidelines to its members that focus on employee training.


With more women are earning their commercial driver's licenses, the number of female trainers is not enough to accommodate the increase - carriers must provide trainers without regard for gender to comply with federal equal opportunity requirements. This can create situations resulting in sexual harassment.

The 30-page document begins with a definition of sexual harassment and offers suggestions in selecting, qualifying and working with trainers and their supervisors in understanding and avoiding complaints from trainees. It suggests policies to recognize and handle concerns before they become complaints, but also provides procedures to report and handle harassment issues. Attachments include a general expectations agreement for both drivers to discuss and sign before heading out for training, a sexual harassment policy, an opposite sex trainer-trainee arrangement form and other pertinent documents a carrier should consider.

"This best practices manual is the first document to address driver training matters specific to gender and anti-harassment concerns," said Women In Trucking Association's President/CEO Ellen Voie.

Women In Trucking was established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry. The association currently has 1,600 corporate and individual members, both men and women, in the U.S., Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.womenintrucking.org