Harassment is an issue that can affect any workplace. Recognizing harassing behavior is an essential first step in dealing with it. Harassment, as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor, is unwelcome conduct based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. Harassment becomes unlawful when:
Enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment; or
The conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile or abusive.
Anti-discrimination laws also prohibit harassment against individuals in retaliation for filing a discrimination charge, testifying or participating in any way in an investigation, proceeding or lawsuit under these laws, or opposing employment practices that they reasonably believe discriminate against individuals in violation of these laws.
Harassing behavior
Harassing behavior may include any of the following:
Verbal slurs; negative stereotyping; or threatening, intimidating or hostile acts that relate to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age or disability.
Written or graphic material that shows hostility toward an individual or group because of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age or disability and that is displayed on walls, bulletin boards or other locations circulated in the workplace.
When harassment occurs
When harassment occurs, take the following actions:
Know your employer’s policy on harassment and the reporting hierarchy for when it occurs.
Notify your supervisor or Human Resources department immediately.
Demand that the harassment stops; hold the harasser accountable for his or her behaviors.
If the harassment is ongoing, keep a log of when the harassment occurs. Be factual, and include dates, times, names of witnesses and description of the harassment.
Harassment is a challenging experience for anyone, and it is not something that needs to be handled alone. Always notify your supervisor or human resources department if you are the victim of harassment or witness harassment in the workplace.
