If you’re feeling harassed at work, it can be hard to know what to do or where to turn. But don’t worry – there are steps you can take to protect yourself and deal with the situation in a safe and effective way. In this article, we’ll talk about the different types of harassment and how to respond to them.
What is Harassment?
Harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. It can be subtle or overt, but it is always wrong. Harassment can create an environment that is uncomfortable and hostile for everyone involved.
If you are experiencing harassment at work, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and address the issue. First, understand what constitutes harassment. Second, know your rights under the law. Finally, take action if you feel harassed.
Understand What Constitutes Harassment:
The first step in addressing harassment is to understand what constitutes it. The following behaviors are all considered forms of harassment:
-Unwelcome sexual advances: A person may make unwanted sexual advances towards you if they touch you in a way that is sexual or makes you feel uncomfortable. For example, a colleague may try to get close to you sexually or make suggestive comments about your body.
-Requests for sexual favors: A person may make requests for sexual favors in an effort to gain an advantage over you or to control your behavior. For example, a colleague may ask you to do something sexual in exchange
Types of Harassment
There are a few different types of harassment, and each one has its own response. Below are descriptions of the most common harassment scenarios and how to respond.
1. Coercive behavior: This occurs when someone at work tries to control or intimidate you into doing what they want. One example is repeatedly calling you over to their desk and asking you to do work that doesn’t need to be done. The best way to deal with this type of harassment is to stand up for yourself and refuse to do anything that makes the harasser feel power over you. If this doesn’t work, consider talking to your supervisor about the situation.
2. Offensive comments: This includes anything from sexual jokes to offensive remarks about your race or religion. It can be really embarrassing, and it can make the working environment unbearable. The best way to deal with these comments is to simply ignore them or say something like “that’s not funny” or “I don’t think that’s appropriate”. If the comment continues, you can politely ask the person to stop.
3. Unwelcome physical contact: This includes things like grabbing your arm or shoulder while you’re working, making unwanted sexual advances, or even touching you in a way
What to Do If You Are Harassed At Work
If you’re being harassed at work, there are a few things you can do to make your situation better. First, talk to your supervisor. If they don’t take action, try speaking to HR. Finally, if all else fails, file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
If you have already filed a complaint with the EEOC and still feel like you’re being harassed, it’s important to keep in mind that filing a complaint won’t automatically make your situation go away. It will just give the EEOC someone to focus on your case.
How to Report Harassment
If you are experiencing harassment at work, here is how to report the behavior and get help:
1. Know your rights. The Federal workplace harassment law, known as Title VII, applies to employers with at least 15 workers. It prohibits discrimination based on sex, including sexual harassment. You can file a complaint with your boss, human resources department, or a government agency like the EEOC if you believe you’ve been the victim of workplace harassment.
2. Know your harasser. The harasser may be a coworker, supervisor, or someone outside of the workplace such as a client or customer. Often times the harasser is someone with whom you have a prior relationship or familiarity.
3. Document what happened. Keep all documentation of the harassment, including notes about who said what and when. This will be important in case you decide to take legal action against the harasser or your employer.
4. Report the harassment immediately. Don’t wait for things to get worse before taking action. If you feel safe doing so, tell your harasser that you refuse to continue working with them and that you want to speak with HR about the situation. If reporting doesn’t feel
