Evaluation Suggestions
Trainings for employees and supervisors are a key component of a strategic response to the workplace impacts of domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking.
Evaluating Training Efforts
The goal of training is to increase education and awareness as well as change workplace culture, attitudes, and behaviors. Simplistic training evaluation can take place through the use of a post-training feedback form, which asks participants questions to gauge whether the training improved their knowledge and increased their ability to respond. See Training Feedback Form for sample questions relating to a domestic violence training program.
A more sophisticated effort may include a pre-training and post-training survey that measures changes in employees’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviors before and after training. It is crucial that the questions in the survey match the content and intent of the training material. Consultation with a researcher is advised for this level of evaluation.
For a report on a similar study with respect to domestic violence, see Domestic Violence Prevention Program Report. For a sample survey used before and after training programs, see the Training Evaluation Survey.
Evaluating Policies and Procedures
Some of the information described on the Annual Review Checklist, will provide an overview of the effectiveness of new policies and procedures over time. Compare trends over time in the numbers of employees requesting referrals, leaves, providing copies of their Orders of Protection or requesting workplace safety planning. Immediately after implementing training or a new policy, expect an increase in activity occurring, with a gradual decrease over time.
In addition, an Employee Survey could incorporate questions on employees’ perceptions about the usefulness of existing policies and procedures. For an interactive program to use in developing a workplace policy, see Model Workplace Policy.
Evaluating Services to Employees
Add domestic and sexual violence-specific questions to existing surveys designed to measure employees’ satisfaction with Employee Assistance Programs or other employee services. Monitor the usage rate of employees accessing services for domestic and sexual violence needs over time. Higher usage indicates better connection of the services with employee needs.
Evaluating Safety and Security Mechanisms
Review incident reports for both the quality of security responses and the quantity of actions taken. As prevention and early intervention efforts take hold, the number of incidents should gradually decrease.