How to identify workplace harassment

How to identify workplace harassmentIf youve been paying attention to the news or social media lately, chances are youve seen some of the heartbreaking stories and backlash from sexual harassment in industries like entertainment, news, and politics. Metoo has become an inescapable part of ur landscape, as women (and men too) share stories about how people in positions of power took advantage of them in highly inappropriate ways, ranging from the unprofessional to the criminal. The sheer force of this movement can feel overwhelmingbut while we get story after story of public figures involved in sexual harassment, its also important to know what these issues may look like in everyday life, for the rest of us. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Before we get started, an important bedrngnise if you have been harassed, or think a colleagues or anfhrers behavior has crossed a legal line, you should seek out specific legal advice right away. And i f you suspect you may have been the victim of workplace harassment but arent sure, the first place you should go is to your companys Human Resources department. This is what theyre there foracting as a neutral resource to help you identify, report, and resolve problematic behavior or actions in the work environment. Weve put together some resources and information for reference, but if youre facing harassment at work you should always seek the qualified help of professionals who are highly trained in workplace harassment issues.What is workplace harassment?Workplace harassment can take many different forms. Sometimes its obvious. It can be blatant sexual or personal requests from a colleague, client, or boss, likeIll give you a promotion if you sleep with me.If you dont do this for me, Ill fire you.I can make it worth your while if you come have a few drinks with me.Ill give you more geschftsleben if you take care of me, *wink wink*.Harassment can also be subtler and more insidious, such as personal comments that make you feel uncomfortable or highly personal topics of conversation that arent relevant to your work. This is sometimes known as a hostile work environment.Examples of this type of harassment could includeTelling dirty or inappropriate jokes at workCommenting on physical attributesMaking suggestive comments in emails or on social mediaDisplaying suggestive pictures or websitesMaking sexual innuendosUnnecessary touching without consentUnwelcome sexual advances, or persistent requests for dates or other personal favorsPersonal ridicule or mockerySabotaging others work or otherwise interfering with work performanceOpen discrimination or commentary based on gender, race, sexual preference, or other personal attributesThis kind of harassment isnt necessarily always sexualit can also be considered workplace bullying. Whether theres a sexual component or not, personal harassment is never okay. Essentially, if someone is being singled out or targeted for pe rsonal reasons and not professional, it could be harassment. And even if someone is being singled out for ostensibly professional reasons, theres still a line of professionalism that companies and employees are required to follow. Once that commentary or behavior crosses into the personal, it could qualify as harassment. If you feel uncomfortable with the behavior of someone in the workplace, thats usually a red flag.Per Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, sexual harassment is considered a form of illegal discrimination in the workplace, which means victims are protected by federal law. If harassment is done on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, victims may also be protected under Title VII. If the harassing behavior is unwelcome and creates a hostile work environment, that can create a situation where the employer is legally liable for the harassment.Whos affected by harassment?Sexual or other harassment can happen to anyone, anytime, in any kind of professional environment. We often hear stories about it happening between a boss and an underling, but in reality it can happen with supervisors, colleagues, clients, or other people who are involved in a professional capacity. A supervisor can be harassed by an employee.And its important to note that no particular gender or group has a lock on sexual harassment. Although 1 in 3 women between the ages of 18 and 34 report having experienced sexual harassment on the job at some point during their careers, this problem is not limited to female victimsmen experience this kind of harassment as well. Harassment comes in all shapes and sizes, and harassers are not always stereotypical boss figures. Anyone who makes you feel personally uncomfortable in the workplace is a red flag.What to do if youre being harassedAccording to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), as much as 70% of sexual harassment goes unreported, often because victims are afraid of retaliation or just dont feel comfortable coming forward with their experiences. If youve experienced harassment (or have seen it happen at your work), youre protected.Know that its not your fault. If youre experiencing sexual or other harassment in the workplace, you didnt bring this on yourselfits on the harasser. Youre legally entitled to having a safe, professional working environment.Know youre not alone. In a comprehensive, eye-opening 2016 report on workplace harassment, the EEOC found that between 25% and 85% of women reported sexual harassment in the workplace. The variation is likely due to peoples hesitation to report harassment, but no matter what, the figure is staggeringat least 1 in 4 women have experienced harassment. The numbers are rising for men reporting harassment as well a 2012 study by the EEOC revealed that approximately 17% of men had experienced sexual harassment at work. Its a widespread problem that has often been kept hidden.Know your rights. If youve been harassed, or thin k you may have been, its important to know what your rights are. The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has a detailed reference guide about how to handle the issue from several different perspectives, giving information on how employees, colleagues, and employers can resolve harassment claims.Talk about it with someone trusted. This can be a trusted confidante, but if youre experiencing harassment or have witnessed it and want to take steps to resolve the issue, your companys HR department is a good first resource. They can help you by confirming your companys harassment policies and either resolve the issue internally or help you with the next steps of a formal complaint. Employment attorneys can give you a sense of the legal perspective if you think the harassment rises to the level of a legal issue. Always consult with legal and professional resources to determine what you can do officially to document and report the problem.One of the hardest takeaways in this post -Harvey Weinstein era has been discovering how widespread and pervasive the culture of harassment can be in the workplace. Ideally, its not something youll ever face in your career, but if youre one of the growing numbers of women and men dealing with harassment (or bringing it to light), understand that youre not alone and there are resources out there that can help you.

How to Grow Your Income

How to Grow Your Income More money. We all want it, dont we? Sometimes, it can feel like our income isnt in our control but nothing could be further from the truth. There are two big levers to creating wealth income and expenses. Taking ownership to increase the money we earn covers half the equationIncome growth is particularly important for women, as we generally face awage gaprelative to men. Were also more likely than men to take timeout of the workforce often to serve in highly valuable but non-paying caretaker roles for children or parents.Here are three ways to grow your income and accelerate your path to wealth.Get more from your current job.A pay increase in your current job is a logical distributionspolitik to start, and technology is your friend in this effort. Just a few years ago, we had to rely on general industry studies,governmentdata, or asking colleagues (yikes) to benchmark our salaries. Today, pay data is increasingly accessible. TheFairygodboss salary databaseg ives you much more precise data on what your role is worth.If youre gunning for a pay increase, you need to document the heck out of the business value you deliver to your employer. Decide the exact amount youre worth, and then increase it by at least 10%, becausewomen dont ask for enough.Prepare at least three other non-salary items (like more PTO or a better expense account) that you will negotiate for if you dont get the full increase youre requesting. Practice by negotiating with a savvy friend who can role-play your boss reaction.Dont wait for the next review cycle. When your case is ready and youve practiced your pitch, confidently approach your boss with the business case for why you have earned a raise.Create a side hustle.Sites likeEtsy,TaskRabbit, andCare.commake it easier to tischset up aside hustle. A hustle allows you to create an additional income stream from applying your skills to the hours in which youre currently not working. Youll want to carefully consider any as sociated costs to ensure your side hustle actually brings you income, and doesnt deliver a costly headache.Unsure where to get started? This post lists99 ideasfor your consideration. Ask neighbors and friends if they have small tasks theyd like help with, for a fair hourly rate. Most importantly, save the money from your side hustle (or put it towards debt) to get the maximum return from your extra effort.Pursue a job or career change.Your position today might not be ripe for income growth, or youre ready to move on. Whatever the case may be, changing jobs can result inhigher income increasesthan sticking with your current employer. Explore careers that are recognized for higher-than-average pay, and identify which companies receivehigh ratings from female employees.Next, startnetworking. Ask friends, neighbors, and former classmates whether they have contacts in the industry or company youre looking to move into, and offer your support to them in return. Consider investing in a gro up likeEllevate Network, a global network of women supporting other women to advance in the workplace, or joining aLean In Circle.Think about the last time someone asked you for career help. I bet you were happy to offer your support The vast majority of those you reach out to will feel the same, and networking will increase your odds of landing a new, higher-paying gig.Each idea to grow income will take time and planning. Start by deciding which is right for you. So - which are you going to prioritize to grow your income over time? Or, is there another approach youre going to focus on? Im curious to hear--The Feminist Financieris on a mission to help women build wealth and own their financial independence, by improving financial literacy and taking the mystery out of money. Ms. Financier is also a shoe addict, travel fanatic, and wine enthusiast.Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer