Respectful workplaces are 8x more likely to keep their people. Disrespect is what drives them out.
Respect isn't a single topic - it's the connective tissue across sexual harassment prevention, workplace bullying, psychological safety and inclusion. Organisations that treat it as a spine build culture that lasts. Organisations that treat it topic-by-topic end up with disconnected programs and inconsistent signals.
Respect is the thread that runs through everything else
One-size-fits-all training often glosses over the nuance of real workplace interactions, leaving learners disengaged and unchanged. Respectful workplace behaviour is complex, personal and situational. Our expert facilitators and Corporate Actors bring learning to life - actively exploring workplace legislation, how to be an Upstander, and how everyday actions shape workplace culture.
A Respectful Workplace program with The Experience Lab does three things a topic-specific approach can't. It gives your organisation one narrative - the same frame that appears in the sexual harassment module, the bullying refresher, the inclusion workshop, the new leader induction. That consistency is what turns training into culture.
Respect can't be taught with templates. Every delivery is tailored - a medical ward has different respect dynamics to a mine site, and both differ from a legal practice. The scenarios, terminology and facilitator framing reflect your workplace.
One narrative across topics
The same respect frame anchors harassment, bullying, psychological safety and inclusion. Consistency across the workforce.
Tailored Corporate Theatre
Scenes rewritten for your workplace - the dynamics, terminology and pressures specific to your context.
Upstander capability
Bystander practice woven through. Recognise, redirect, refer - practised, not just described.
Multi-year cadence option
The strongest programs run as a 2–3 year cadence with refresh, leader-specific sessions and bite-sized modules in between.
Building it into a multi-year culture program
Many clients run Realising Respectful Workplaces as the anchor of a multi-year culture program, layered with:
Topic-specific deep dives
When regulatory pressure or organisational need demands them - Sexual Harassment, Workplace Bullying, Psychosocial Hazards.
Bite Sized Learning refresh modules
Between major programs, to keep the language in the room and the behaviours top of mind.
Leader-specific sessions
For new managers, emerging leaders and specific cohorts that need deeper practice with the framework.
Follow-up Rehearsal for Reality
Sessions for leaders working on particular behaviour shifts, with actor-coaches and structured feedback.
Induction content
So respect is part of how new starters experience the organisation from day one.
The program becomes a platform, not a session.
What a typical standalone delivery looks like
If you're scoping a single delivery rather than a multi-year program, it runs half-day or full-day and blends the Corporate Play, Forum Theatre, Upstander skill building and Rehearsal for Reality. Ideal group size is 30 to 40; up to 50 also possible. The value compounds when the program repeats and connects into other topics.
The plays we use for this topic
Nothing is delivered off the shelf. These are the plays in our repertoire - every one gets tailored to your workplace before it goes in the room. Jacob picks and adapts on the scoping call.
The Wombat car company team chasing sales at the expense of company values. Communication, courage, integrity and respect tested in real time.
Dan, Mitch, Xavier and Peta: four very different new starters. Explores organisational values through their eyes; especially powerful for apprentice, graduate and new-starter cohorts.
Aneela, a recent immigrant, joins an all-white team; well-meaning Harold, Zak and Rain let assumptions get in the way of inclusion.
The four Upstander behaviours in action, across the full respect spectrum.
One session or a multi-year platform
Many clients run Realising Respectful Workplaces as the anchor of a multi-year culture program. A standalone delivery runs half-day or full-day. The value compounds when the program repeats and connects into other topics.
- Tailored Corporate Play anchored in respect as the cultural spine
- Upstander practice integrated throughout
- Leader-specific session on signalling and reinforcing
- Optional bite-sized refresh modules between rounds
- Connects directly into harassment, bullying and psychosocial programs
“Twelve months in we're already seeing the language carry across our other programs. The respect frame is doing the work everywhere - not just in the session.”
— Culture Lead, national professional services firm
Frequently asked questions
Realising Respectful Workplaces is the broader cultural spine. The specific-topic programs go deep on one behaviour set and the legal framework around it. Respectful Workplaces goes across topics and focuses on everyday culture. Many clients run them together in sequence - Respectful Workplaces as the anchor, the topic-specific programs as the deeper modules.
Yes, and we recommend it. The scenarios, language and framing should reflect your organisation's actual values and behaviours. We work with you to get this right before delivery - the training should feel like it was written for your people, because it was.
Ideal is 30 to 40 for a standalone delivery. Up to 50 also possible. Larger numbers are possible for the Corporate Play, but Rehearsal for Reality is where the behaviour shift lands - so smaller is better for the practice component. Jacob will scope the right format for your group size.
Yes. Bite Sized Learning modules, annual refresh sessions and leader-specific follow-ups are all part of how clients embed respectful-workplace culture over time. The program becomes a platform, not a one-off session.
Pre and post capability surveys, behaviour-change tracking and integration with your broader engagement and culture measurement. We design measurement at the program level, not just the session level - and we can connect to your existing employee survey data where that's useful.
Training Delivered Differently
Let's talk about your culture strategy
Realising Respectful Workplaces isn't a training booking. It's a culture strategy conversation. If you're scoping a multi-year respectful-workplace program, designing a new culture agenda, or reviewing what's already in flight, twenty minutes with Jacob will give you a clear picture of fit.