Workplace harassment is nothing to joke about. Sure, the reading materials may not be the the most engaging or the mandatory training classes may not be the most entertaining, but then again, they’re not meant to be. Harassment in any form, in any setting, is a serious matter. It’s responsible for making people feel uncomfortable and can sometimes escalate to even more dangerous behaviors. Knowing what to do to stop it and remove yourself from the situation, without quitting your job, is essential.
- Know What Harassment Is- Harassment is technically any unwanted behavior. This can be something spoken to you, it can be an inappropriate touch, or just a feeling you have that makes you uncomfortable. More people are familiar with sexual or verbal harassment, but there’s also financial, emotional, religious, and many other types of harassment. It doesn’t matter if it’s something you used to be okay with, but now would like to stop. It can also come from one person or a group.
- Notify the Source- Once you feel you are being harassed, the first thing to do is to speak with the source, the person or group responsible. In some cases, your co-workers may not realize they’re harassing you. If it’s something like a lewd joke, they may just feel they are having fun. It may not be their intent to make you feel uncomfortable or pressured into pretending to be okay with it. If you’re comfortable, find a time to tell the person or group you’re not okay with what they’ve been doing and you wish them to stop.
- Document Everything- Ideally, this would be the end of it. If the offending behavior continues, create a log of what happens on what days, and if there are any witnesses around who can back up your case. Include details like names and add to it any time something happens.
- Tell HR or Your Boss- Each company should have a policy on how to handle harassment cases. It’s also each company’s responsibility to communicate this procedure to all employees, so you should have an idea who you need to talk to next. Whether it’s your boss or your Human Resources representative, take the time to discuss with them what’s been going on. Include that you’ve already asked the offending party to stop and nothing has changed. If you have your documented information, present that as well.
- Go Higher- If the offending behavior is coming from your boss or someone else who is pressuring their higher status over you, don’t be afraid to go over their heads. Go to their bosses. Say something. And be sure to also document who you talk to and when. Businesses who do not act on harassment claims can get sued for large amounts of money. It’s in their best interests to keep you and all their staff safe.
- Be Alert- If you can, avoid the person or group until the situation is dealt with. Your boss or Human Resources Department should be stepping in to conduct an investigation into the matter and decrease the chances of you interacting at work. Be aware of how they treat other co-workers. You may find you’re not the only one being treated that way.
- Consult a Lawyer- If you’ve made the reports, talked with members of your business who are in a position to help you and still nothing is being done to protect you, consult with a lawyer. There are actions that can be taken and they vary depending on what’s been done and how long it’s been allowed to continue. Know what your rights are.
When dealing with workplace harassment, it’s also important to know what not to do:
- Don’t instigate the situation or try to get even
- Don’t tell everyone in the company what’s going on. This can exacerbate the situation. You can discreetly ask around if anyone else has been dealing with the same situation, but keep the details between you and your boss or HR. They should be keeping the information confidential as well.
- Don’t put yourself in a situation you’re not comfortable with. Avoid on-on-one situations where the harassment can escalate.
- Don’t feel your only option is to quit. You have a right to work in a bully-free, harassment-free workplace.
- Don’t hesitate to report something for fear of getting fired. If that does actually happen, you can take legal action.
No one should be made to feel uncomfortable in their workplace. Hopefully you never have to deal with it, but if you do, know the course of action you should take. Don’t hesitate to ask for help and if you see your fellow co-workers being harassed, say something. If everyone is vigilant and is willing to stand up for one another, we can stand up against these bullies together.
