The Trouble with Compliance Training
Compliance Training Doesn't Work
The number one characteristic of compliance training that fails to achieve the intended outcome is that it is mandatory. Don't take our word for it, though. Check out the following resources that dive into why compliance training doesn't work. We've organized these resources into two categories, which reflect the two most commonly held types of compliance training: "diversity training" and "ethics training."
Ready to jump straight to learning about what does work? Keep scrolling!
The Trouble with Diversity Training
Three Traits of Unsuccessful Diversity Training:
- Mandatory
- Focuses on legal issues with harassment or bias
- Specific to managers, or considered "remedial" and aimed at "problem groups"
Source: Hogle, P. S. (2018). White Paper: Training for Diversity. The E-Learning Guild.
What to Talk About Instead?
If you're looking to reduce the number of discrimination complaints and ethics violations you're faced with, don't fall into the trap of re-teaching employees the same tired lists of "what not to do." Instead, flip the script and focus on what to do and how to behave. At the State of Wyoming, we have Core Competencies that can serve as the foundation for positive, behavior-based employee training and development. Positive, behavior-based training is more likely to result in change than negative, compliance-based training.
Flip the Script!
Instead of focusing on what our policies say not to do, focus on what our core competencies tell us to do.
Got problems with ethics violations? It's time to coach employees on their decision making skills and the importance of professional integrity! Got problems with complaints of harassment? Talk to employees about their communication and interpersonal skills!
Additional Resources
Want to know more? We've got you covered.
Got Questions?
Please contact Anne McGee, A&I Agency HR Manager, at anne.mcgee@wyo.gov or Kimberly Fields, A&I Agency HR Training Coordinator, at kimberly.fields@wyo.gov.