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.