You love your job because it provides you with the means to provide for yourself and your family. However, you are not a fan of the treatment you receive while on the job from certain individuals in the workplace. These employees may be supervisors, coworkers or some other affiliated person. Regardless of their job classification and title, they should not harass or mistreat you. If you are dealing with harassment in the workplace, here are some actions you can take to remedy the situation.
Keep a Journal
Every time someone talks or touches you inappropriately or uses unsuitable gestures, write it down. If they make unwanted and rude comments about your race, religion, sexual orientation or age, write it down. Keep copies and photos of all unfitting emails, posters and other actions or forms of communication in the workplace that show you are being harassed. Be sure to include the names, job titles, dates and times of the incidents and a brief detailed description of what occurred.
Ask the Offenders to Stop
Make sure you inform the offenders that you find their behavior offensive in a professional manner. Ask them to stop. If their behavior continues, you may need to report them. Do not laugh or ignore the offensive behavior, assuming it will end on their own. Your reaction could be misinterpreted as acceptance and further encourage the mistreatment to persist.
Report the Behavior
If the offender is a coworker, inform your supervisor about the problem. They should document the incident and take corrective actions that may require them to discipline the coworker. If the offensive individual does not stop harassing you, you should follow up with human resources. If the human resources department does not take steps to prevent the mistreatment, you may need to take further action.
Pursue Legal Action
Employers have a legal duty to maintain a healthy company culture. That includes not allowing harassment to occur in the workplace. Federal law protects workers from certain kinds of harassment. When employers do not honor their duty to maintain a harassment-free worksite, the environment becomes toxic and can lead to additional health and employment challenges for afflicted workers. If your previous efforts at resolving the problem are futile, visit employment lawyer levittllp.com or speak with an attorney to learn legal options that will make your employer accountable.
Employment harassment is unlawful but it still persists in workplaces across the country. Identifying and taking the right actions to prevent it can help make working less stressful and toxic.
