Introduction 

Workplace harassment is an extremely serious issue that can affect anyone present at the place. It can make anyone feel uncomfortable and safe and even scared to go to work. There are many employees who hesitate to speak up because it is fair that if they speak they can lose their job or even face retaliation.

However it is important to handle workplace harassment the right way for everyone’s well being and career. This article will discuss in detail about what workplace harassment is and what steps can be taken to protect yourself from these types of harassment. 

https://youtu.be/XEaS1zjMhLw?si=_GIzlEkrXyTAY4Ju

What is workplace harassment?

There are many different kinds of workplace harassment and it important to know about them so you can identify what it’s happening around you 

1.Verbal harassment 

The first one is verbal harassment which can include insulting or offensive comments, name calling, yelling or shouting aggressively or making inappropriate jokes about someone. 

2. Physical harassment 

The next type of harassment is physical harassment which includes unwanted touching, pushing or hitting or even blogging someone waste can be counted as physical harassment. 

3. Sexual harassment 

Sexual harassment can include unwanted sexual comments or advantages about someone, in appropriate touching, sending explicit messages or images and making someone feel uncomfortable with the sexual remarks. They all are included in the sexual harassment.

4. Psychological harassment 

Psychological harassment is not recognised everywhere but it can be seen in constantly criticizing someone unpaired, undermining someone’s works or ideas or even spreading rumors about someone can cause psychological harassment.

5. Discriminatory harassment 

Treating someone unfairly based on their race, caste, religion, gender or disability or making fun of some excs or cultural background can be included in discriminatory harassment. Also excluding someone from any activity or promotion because of the personal trade can be counted as discriminatory harassment.

6. Cyber harassment 

Cyber harassment can be seen online by saying harmful images or messages. It also includes negative comments about a cow worker online or using work communication channels to harass someone.

Signs that shows you are being harassed 

In many places workplace harassment can be seen clearly but in some ways it can be subtle.  Some signs to identify that you may be facing workplace harassment can be feeling stressed and anxious about going to work or constantly feeling like you are treated unfairly at your workplace. Work harassment also includes and in appropriate jokes from your coworkers or Boss that can make you feel uncomfortable or pressured. Sometimes receiving offensive messages or emails from the person at your workplace is also categorised as work please harassment. If someone experiences any of these signs, it is important to take action against it. You can say that I don’t like this type of comments so please stop or the joke that you made makes me uncomfortable so I would appreciate it if you don’t say anything like that again. It is important to be clear to stop harassment in the early stages.

Some steps to handle workplace harassment 

1.Recognizing and documenting the harassment 

The first step is to recognise that harassment is happening. Sometimes it happens that people classify the bad behavior as just joking or not a big deal. But if some things make you uncomfortable, a pressure or it affects your work in any way then it should not be ignored by you. After identifying the harassment then it is important to start a document about everything.

Make sure to keep a record of the date and time of the incident, what was said or done, who was involved or any key witnesses. It is important to keep detailed records because it will help to report the harassment and take legal action. 

2. Speaking up for yourself 

If someone feels safe then they can also at rest the situation directly. Sometimes it happens that people don’t realise that their behavior can harm someone’s feelings and make them feel uncomfortable.

You can say that I don’t like this type of comments so please stop or the joke that you made makes me uncomfortable so I would appreciate it if you don’t say anything like that again. It is important to be clear to stop harassment in the early stages. However, if another person continues to harass you even after stopping them then taking action is necessary.

3. Talking to other coworker 

If you don’t know what to do in this situation then you can talk to someone who is trusted like your co-worker mentor or any friend at your work. They can give you advice or it is possible that they have experienced something similar to your situation.

Knowing others and realising that is support you can make it easier to take the next steps to stop the harassment. However it is important to provide clear details about what has happened to you when reporting about the harassment. Also you can show any evidence like messages, emails or eyewitnesses.

4. Reporting the harassment to the Supervisor 

If someone continues to harass you, even after warning them then the next step is reporting it to your supervisor or any HR of your department. Many places have policies to deal with workplace harassment.  However it is important to provide clear details about what has happened to you when reporting about the harassment.

Also you can show any evidence like messages, emails or eyewitnesses. Also explain to them how this behaviour has affected your work. It is a responsibility of a good department to take your complaint seriously and to take further action.

5. Filing a proper and formal complaint 

There are many employees who hesitate to speak up because it is fair that if they speak they can lose their job or even face retaliation. However it is important to handle workplace harassment the right way for everyone’s well being and career. But if some things make you uncomfortable, a pressure or it affects your work in any way then it should not be ignored by you.

After identifying the harassment then it is important to start a document about everything. Make sure to keep a record of the date and time of the incident, what was said or done, who was involved or any key witnesses. It is important to keep detailed records because it will help to report the harassment and take legal action.

https://youtu.be/-7HsoswIrlg?si=Ouegf5t0CAFPiZtf

Conclusion 

Workplace harassment is an extremely serious issue that can affect anyone present at the place. Sexual harassment can include unwanted sexual comments or advantages about someone, in appropriate touching, sending explicit messages or images and making someone feel uncomfortable with the sexual remarks. They all are included in the sexual harassment. Treating someone unfairly based on their race, caste, religion, gender or disability or making fun of some excs or cultural background can be included in discriminatory harassment.

Also excluding someone from any activity or promotion because of the personal trade can be counted as discriminatory harassment. The first step is to recognise that harassment is happening. Sometimes it happens that people classify the bad behavior as just joking or not a big deal. But if some things make you uncomfortable, a pressure or it affects your work in any way then it should not be ignored by you. If someone feels safe then they can also at rest the situation directly. Sometimes it happens that people don’t realise that their behavior can harm someone’s feelings and make them feel uncomfortable.

Interview Forge Team

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