Workplace Harassment
What is Workplace Harassment?
Harassment in the workplace is defined as disrespectful, demeaning, or threatening behavior directed towards a single employee or a group of employees. Harassment frequently targets an individual's or group's gender, ethnic or racial heritage, or disability. Harassment is unwanted, uninvited, typically unreturned behavior that is often (but not always) repeated. For the individual or group targeted by this behavior, it makes work or any association with work unpleasant, embarrassing, or intimidating. It can make performing good job difficult. (Williams, 2001)
Most common types of Workplace Harassment
Physical Harassment - One of the most common forms of workplace harassment is physical harassment. This can also take the shape of physical or property-based violence. This could also be construed as menacing behavior. It can even be referred to as assault in extreme cases. Pushing, striking, or slapping an employee, as well as other forms of physical abuse, may be used against them. It could also involve a vehicle, such as an automobile. (incubar, 2021)
Personal Harassment - Bullying is another term for personal harassment. Unwanted words, insults, and unpleasant and insulting utterances may be directed against the victim. Personal harassment might include being repeatedly put down with condescending words. (incubar, 2021)
Discriminatory Harassment - This type of workplace harassment is directed against a person's race, age, sex, or other protected class who is subjected to offensive or intimidating remarks. Today, people must exercise extreme caution. These kinds of utterances can sometimes be overheard in private chats. Because discriminatory harassments are particularly difficult to handle, you should seek legal help from an employment lawyer. (incubar, 2021)
Physiological Harassment - Harassment can also be psychological in origin and have a negative influence on the victim. A victim is frequently ridiculed, belittled, or forced to listen to unnecessary condescending words that might have a negative impact on him or her. Negative comments might be directed at the victim from both a professional and personal standpoint. (incubar, 2021)
Cyberbullying - Cyberbullying is a type of harassment that occurs online. Harassment can take several forms, including making threatening statements to the victim or spreading rumors on social media. This then has the potential to spread like wildfire. It can potentially spiral out of control. Now there's a chance that others will join in and torment the victim as well (people who are not working in the same company). There have been cases where cyberbullying has resulted in someone taking their own life. (incubar, 2021)
Sexual Harassment - When a perpetrator acts in a romantic or sexual manner toward a victim who is visibly uncomfortable and does not desire such attention, it is known as sexual harassment. Quid Pro Quo sexual harassment occurs when a superior makes a sexual request to the victim, and if the victim declines, the superior threatens the victim with a bad outcome, such as losing their job or not getting a promotion. (incubar, 2021)
3rd Party Harassment - This sort of harassment is perpetrated by someone who is not employed by the company. Suppliers, vendors, and even customers can fall into this category. (incubar, 2021)
How to Report Workplace Harassment?
Human resource departments are designed to assist employees, particularly those who are in dangerous or unpleasant situations. A victim's failure to file a complaint should not be due to a lack of physical proof. In fact, the majority of complaints and grievances lack physical evidence. It's critical to report workplace harassment since there may be other victims who have reported similar violations by the same perpetrator, and the employer may be waiting for further evidence before taking action. (Schooley, 2021)
File a complaint with your company's HR department — if the offender does not resolve the issue, you must file an internal complaint with HR (in writing). If you are concerned about your safety, you should take action right away. When you file a complaint with HR, you give them permission to investigate the harassment and try to address it. (bohmlaw, n.d)
How to Build a More Respectful and Harassment-Free Workplace
- Set a strong tone from the top - Employees want their CEO and senior executives to set an example, therefore it's vital that leaders' behavior and interactions reflect their personal commitment to a harassment-free workplace. (Fazio, 2019)
- Develop and anti-harassment policy - Making a written anti-harassment policy is a crucial step in informing employees that harassment and discrimination are unacceptable and illegal. The policy should state that the regulations apply to everyone and everywhere, whether they are in the workplace, a convention center, a conference hall, or a hotel ballroom. The anti-harassment policy should also be included in your company's written code of conduct and employee handbook. (Fazio, 2019)
- Implement an internal complaint process - Too often, harassment episodes go unreported, perpetuating a toxic environment and leading to poorer morale and productivity, employee health difficulties, and other bad outcomes. Another key method to show a strong commitment to a harassment-free workplace is to implement a formal complaint process for employees to report sexual harassment and other forms of misconduct. Employees should be able to report issues easily and quickly, whether by a hotline, dedicated email, or a designated manager. (Fazio, 2019)
- Conduct regular, interactive training - Another important method to lessen the danger of workplace harassment and build a healthy culture is to make sexual harassment prevention training a priority and require that all employees attend on a regular basis. New York State, New York City, and California are among the states and municipalities that have recently passed legislation requiring employers to provide sexual harassment prevention training to all employees on an annual basis. When training is participatory and relevant to your employees and industry, it can be a valuable tool for raising awareness of what harassment is and how it might manifest itself. Sexual harassment training, rather than focusing on rules and legal jargon, should encourage good actions and attitudes. (Fazio, 2019)
The Bottom Line
All of this harassment makes for a toxic and unpleasant work environment. The safest thing to do in the office is to maintain a professional demeanor at all times, but this can be difficult when emotions are high. Employers must moderate any problem before it gets out of hand.
References
Mezirow’s transformation theory occurs when someone’s view point has changed because of a life changing event. I believe work place harassment is also can be of a life changing event for an employee. So strong rules and regulation has to be set up to prevent any type of harassment in the workplace. Someone might seek psychological assistance from professionals, while some others might fall into a deep depression. So there should be a person whom the employees are comfortable to speak to when a harassment occurred.
ReplyDeleteYou have added some valuable imformation to this article. Thank you.
DeleteA workplace harasser's main goal is to make their victims feel unsafe and uncomfortable. you have nicely explained How to Build a More Respectful and Harassment-Free Workplace. Nice article. Wish you all the best!
ReplyDeleteWorkplace harassment is a common problem, but it is not freely stated by employees for fear of repercussions, despite the fact that it exists. Employees should be educated about healthy workplace culture, and awareness of the institution's anti-harassment policies should be promoted, according to the findings. Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Employees should be educated and aware about the harassment policies. HR Department is responsible to prepare and provide guidelines about harassment policy.
DeleteIt is the responsibility of the employer to take the appropriate actions to ensure a safe working environment for all employees and to eradicate harassment before it becomes severe. Harassment is illegal and has a negative impact on employee productivity and safety.
ReplyDeleteyes. this is real headache to working with present mood. all work and family life may confuse. so this is the very important topic & you have discussed lengthily. good article.
ReplyDeleteThe primary purpose of a workplace harasser is to make their victims feel unsafe and uneasy. How to Create a More Respectful and Harassment-Free Workplace has been well discussed by you. Good article
ReplyDeleteWork place harassment is effect employee performance as well as organisation performance as well. HRD should have strict policy to control this . Well discussed
ReplyDeleteVery important topic you have come up with. Due to the subject issue most of the staff had to switch jobs, and if this issue disappears from our organizational culture, there could be more staff retention
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your valuable feedback about this topic. Your comments have added more value to this article.
ReplyDeleteAs you have clearly described ,despite the fact that workplace harassment is a widespread issue, employees often reluctant to speak up about it for fear of repercussions. According to the findings, employees should be educated about a positive work environment and made aware of the institution's anti-harassment measures. Good article. All the best!
ReplyDelete