What to Do if You Have Been Sexually Harassed at Work
An enjoyable work environment can take a turn for the worse if a coworker sexually harasses you. Not only can this make you uncomfortable, but in some cases you may think twice about quitting your job. Many people believe that sexual harassment at work is easy to pinpoint, but this is not always true. There are times when a victim does not know what is going on, which makes it difficult for him or her to decide what to do next.
If you suspect any type of sexual harassment at your place of employment, it is better to be safe than sorry. It is better to look into your options right away, as opposed to sitting back and hoping the problem disappears on its own. As soon as you realize you are being harassed, there are a few things you can do.
Steps To Take If You Suspect Sexual Harassment
No two types of sexual harassment are the same, however, there are basic steps you can take to effectively deal with this:
- Document, document, document. Document everything. This includes the finer details of each incident, such as the behavior of the other party, how you reacted, the time, and where the sexual harassment occurred.
- Save all evidence. For example, you may have a letter, an email, voicemail, text, or DM that a person sent you. Make sure you save this in a safe place.
- Read over your employee handbook. What does it say about sexual harassment? Is there a process in place for reporting this? You should follow the protocol as outlined.
- Speak to the person who is harassing you. Let this person know he or she crossed the line and you have no intentions on letting it happen again. This may be enough to make the individual stop.
- Tell your supervisor. Explain the entire situation, including the steps you have taken to remedy the issue. If your supervisor is the one harassing you, consult with a human resource professional.
- Don’t let your guard down. Just because you think the problem has gone away doesn’t mean it has. If the person harasses you again in the future, you should once again follow the steps above.
- Contact an experienced employment law attorney who has experience representing employees in sexual harassment cases.
There is no “full proof” way of dealing with workplace sexual harassment. What works for one person may not have the same impact for another. If you find yourself in this situation, you can take the basic steps above in the hope that it solves your problem. Remember, if you are a victim of sexual harassment, you did nothing wrong. It is the other person that is in the wrong. You are simply trying to put an end to the problem so you can move forward with your career.
Even if you don’t believe you will never be a victim, it is important to learn more about dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace.
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Source: American Association of University Women, “Know Your Rights: Workplace Sexual Harassment” accessed Mar. 09, 2015