Sexual harassment may take various forms in the workplace. Anyone from your superiors to your coworkers to a random consumer can ask you for assistance. They may make offensive remarks or even offer you a promotion.
Harassment of any kind is unacceptable in the workplace. Bullying is bullying to intimidate, inflict pain on, or otherwise offend someone because of their sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Sexual harassment can take many forms. When it comes to sexual harassment on the job, a woman of color’s experience may vary from that of her white female coworker. She might experience hostility or abuse because she is a woman of color. You might want to check out this post about sexual harassment at work if you’re experiencing any red flags.
Sexual Harassment at Workplace
Each person must make their own choice. In order to make a good choice, you may need to see a guide. A few options are outlined below.
Make Notes About It
While you’re pondering your next move, you may as well establish a log of your activities.
If you’re going to file a sexual harassment claim, it’s useful if you can pinpoint the exact date(s), words, or actions that constitute harassment. Document the responses you give and get when your employer cracks a sexist joke, or a coworker raises the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace. Women Employed, an advocacy and policy organization, advocates maintaining such a record in a bound book at home (or elsewhere outside your office). If you or anyone you know have experienced harassment of any kind in the workplace make sure to check on TruLaw.com for guidance and assistance how to fight for your right as an employee.
You may provide specific instances of harassment to your employer if you need to file a complaint. To assist you in organizing your chronology, you speak with an employer defense attorney. Keeping a running tally of incidences would also be much less of a hassle. Even if you end up not doing any of these things, it’s still a good idea to keep track of them nonetheless.
Make Everything Clear
In essence, sexual harassment is the act of making unwanted sexual advances on another person. If you’re comfortable saying so, say it. Especially if the behavior is annoying but not necessarily predatory, we recommend trying this first. Say something like:
● This is not the place for this kind of talk at work.
● My feelings are disturbed by this. It’s rather awkward for the other ladies around. Communication skills are being abused here. I find it quite insulting. Please refrain from using such rude language.
● It’s not that I dislike you or anything, but I just can’t stand being around you.
● Stop showering me with praise. My feelings are disturbed by this.
Suppose you decide to complain to your employer about workplace harassment that has persisted despite your requests for it to cease. In that case, it will strengthen your case if you can demonstrate that you have already made it clear that such behavior is unacceptable.
Talk to a Lawyer
Reporting sexual harassment at work or filing a complaint are both actions that may be taken without the assistance of legal counsel. When the issue is unclear, legal advice may be useful if you need assistance determining whether specific conduct constitutes sexual harassment or if your employer does not respond swiftly or courteously to your complaints.
Some companies even provide first consultations at no cost to you. Attorneys that take on cases of sexual harassment on behalf of victims, as opposed to employers, should be your first priority.
You Can Make a Difference
In an ideal world, there would be no such thing as sexual harassment. In a more or less ideal society, those who report sexual harassment would face immediate action and no repercussions as a result of their report.
To not report sexual harassment may be a choice made for a variety of reasons. You don’t have to take it lying down. It’s possible that you’ll soon be able to begin looking for a new job. You may leave your present work and look for other employment opportunities free from sexual harassment if you have the financial means to do so.
What Steps Should I Take to Report Sexual Harassment?
If you’re experiencing sexual harassment and want to file a complaint, you may do so in a number of ways. There is no one determinant of the “better” choice. It’s crucial to seek individualized guidance while making major life choices.
Contacting the Authorities
Sexual harassment may take many forms, but one is illegal behavior directed at a victim. If sexual assault or rape occurs during your employment, whether at the office, on a business trip, or anywhere else, you should contact the authorities immediately.
When clients are emotionally and physically competent, we advise them to submit a police complaint.
Alternatively, you might file a report as required by corporate policy.
Companies often have rules and procedures in place for reporting sexual harassment. You may look things up in your employee handbook, the documentation you were given when you were hired, the employee portal, or any number of other official documents.
To have an employer found liable for harassment is by no means a given. If they are in the dark, not only will they miss out on the chance to do the right things (which, one hopes, they will), but they will also have the option of claiming it was not their fault in retrospect.
Depending on the company’s policies, you may need to report the harasser to a higher-up in the chain of command. Someone from HR or a representative from another department. In the case of massive corporations, an online form or hotline may be the most practical means of contact. Keep in mind that you are obligated to notify HR if anybody, including those above you in the organizational chart, has been informed.
