Chicago OD Practitioners Network
Breaking through Gender Bias & Building a Respectful Culture
Program: 7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m.
Networking & Discussion: 9:00-10:00 (business challenges faced by attendees)
RSVP PROCESS for building access.
If you plan to attend the meeting, please reply to codpnetwork@gmail.com by noon on Tuesday, June 26th with your name as it appears on your photo ID. On the morning of the meeting, security staff in the main lobby will ask to see a photo ID, confirm your registration and provide you with a visitor’s pass. If you do not RSVP by June 26th your name will not be on the list and you will not be able to join the meeting which is located on the 7th floor.
Program Format
Mix of presentation, large group & small group discussion. Informal atmosphere; please bring your own coffee/tea/snacks (note: there is a convenient Au Bon Pain connected to the building as well as a place to buy coffee and snacks on the 7th floor near our meeting).
Program Description
Sexual harassment and assault is one end of a continuum of interconnected behaviors ranging from gender bias to incivility to legally actionable harassment to assault. Harassment is far more likely in organizations that tolerate gender bias than it is in organizations that value and promote diversity and inclusion. The same is true for organizations with prevalent incivility. As a result, a truly effective comprehensive harassment-prevention program must encompass all forms (conscious and unconscious) of gender discrimination & disrespect.
Join Andie Kramer and Al Harris, authors of Breaking Through Bias: Communication Techniques for Women to Succeed At Work and the Harvard Business Review Article, “How Do Your Workers Feel About Harassment? Ask Them,” in this provocative and interactive program.
Andie and Al will discuss effective ways to structure an anti-bias and anti-harassment program inside organizations that those attending will find engaging and informative. They will also engage the group in scenarios to make key points along the way.
This session will cover:
- Identifying gender bias and ways to overcome it.
- Making organizational culture more welcoming to all employees, regardless of gender.
- Understanding the spectrum of inappropriate sexual behavior and why tolerance of gender bias can lead to sexual harassment.
- Understanding how putting women and men together to solve problems is more effective than training focusing on gender attitudes.
- Small group discussions around how you might apply your learnings in your organization, or your clients’ organizations.
Facilitators:
Andrea S. Kramer is a partner in the law of firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP. She has mentored thousands of women and written hundreds of articles and blog posts on implicit bias, effective communication techniques, sexual harassment, diversity, and inclusion. She is co-author of the American Bar Association’s guide, “What You Need to Know About Negotiating Compensation” and co-author of “Breaking Through Bias: Communication Techniques for Women to Succeed at Work.” She co-founded the Women’s Leadership and Mentoring Alliance (WLMA) and currently serves as the organization’s board chair. She was named one of the 50 Most Influential Women Lawyers in America by the National Law Journal.
Alton B. Harris is a partner in the law firm of Nixon Peabody LLP. He was a founding partner of the Chicago law firm Ungaretti & Harris, now part of Nixon Peabody LLP. At Ungaretti & Harris, Al served at various times as managing partner, executive and compensation committee member, and head of the Corporate and Securities Practice Group. Al has served as mentor, coach, and counselor to many businesswomen and persons of color. Al is co-author of the book, “Breaking Through Bias: Communication Techniques for Women to Succeed at Work.” He has written hundreds of articles and blog posts on diversity and inclusion.
