Acting Accordingly When Workplace Harassment Happens to You

Acting Accordingly When Workplace Harassment Happens to You

We all want to be able to work to the best of our ability. However, certain events and situations aim to hinder us from doing so. One of them is harassment in the workplace, which can not only make us uncomfortable but also taint our reputation in the process. If you believe that there is such a thing in your workplace, then you should deal with it. Here are some suggestions for doing so.

Know the Law

One of the first things that you should know is that there are laws against this sort of behaviour. It’s just that either people do not know that they exist or the act of harassment has been so prevalent that it has become “normal.” Given this, it would benefit you to read on these laws and see how you can act on the situation that you’re in. You may even consult solicitors firms on this legal aspect of it, as well as what you can do about it. The law is there, so you might want to use it to full effect.

Learn How to Recognise

To be able to report instances of harassment in the workplace, you need to be able to recognise them. There are several types, and so it can manifest in many different ways. For example, being asked for intimate favours in exchange for approval on projects can count as harassment. The “usual” instance of being nagged by your boss, even if you’re doing your work correctly, counts. The standard line between them is that you’re being put into an uncomfortable position that hinders you from working usually and even compromises your reputation.

sexual harassment

Don’t Be Afraid to Report

Many individuals know that they’re being harassed, but don’t report it out of fear. They might believe that they’re going to lose their jobs, or other people might call them liars or attention seekers. But you should note that staying quiet only normalises the situation and makes the harassers think that they can get away with what they’re doing. When you recognise that you’re being harassed, you shouldn’t be afraid of reporting it to your human resources department. It’s your mental health and quality of work that’s at stake here.

Document Your Case

If you do decide to file a case against your harassers at work, it’s best to keep a record of all potential pieces of evidence. While it’s still fresh in your mind, put the report of the incident in writing, and be as detailed as possible. If it occurred over instant messaging, chat, or emails, then you should compile screenshots of the uncomfortable exchange. If you have your statement and pieces of evidence in a concrete form, it will be harder for the harassers to deny what you’re saying.

Harassment may be somewhat of a norm in the workplace, but it doesn’t have to be, and it shouldn’t. It violates other people’s peace of mind and causes them distress, which can affect their work negatively and lower the productivity of the companies in which they are employed. Protecting employees’ mental health should be part of businesses’ priorities, as it will help them earn more trust. Reporting incidents of harassment can assist in bringing this to light.

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