There are various sensitive topics that need to be discussed when it comes to dealing with the issues that arise in the workplace. One of these issues is that of harassment.
Over the last few years, there has been a great deal more light shed on the subject, as understanding increases and resources become increasingly available. One major factor affecting the improvement of the handling of harassment is education. Training is proving to be a motivating factor in helping people to recognise their own wrong thinking and actions and to step forward to report the wrong thinking and actions of others.
(click here to investigate one provider of such education – more on that aspect later in this article!) As much as understanding of harassment has increased over the years, there is still a great deal of room for improvement. Reportedly, 34 per cent of employees don’t really understand the concept of harassment or behaviours that contribute to a difficult working environment for others. Clearly, there’s still a long way to go in educating people on how to create a safe working environment for all.
What is Harassment?
Harassment includes any kind of unsolicited behaviour, physical, verbal or even suggested, that causes a person to feel threatened, uncomfortable, upset, or humiliated. It covers a wide range of different behaviours of an offensive nature. Usually, the action evolves from feelings of prejudice or discrimination.
When harassment becomes a pattern, it is classed as bullying and often violates a person’s rights or stops them from benefiting from the rights they have. Different state laws outline different definitions and boundaries so that is considered as harassment may differ slightly. Two things that are common about most states are the two factors that are used to decide of the validity of an accusation of harassment. These two factors are the intention of the perpetrator and the repetition or severity of the actions.
Types and Examples of Harassment
To be able to win the war against harassment, it’s important to understand the forms that it can take. Forewarned is forearmed, and knowledge of the enemy will really help you as you work to eradicate it within your business and do your part to limit its grip on your workforce. Both physical and verbal abuse can be considered as harassment and it takes a few different forms, five of which we will investigate now:
1. Workplace Harassment
As a business owner, this is the type of harassment you need to be able to identify and swiftly act upon. It encompasses all of the harassment that could occur within a professional setting, any actions or communication that makes a person feel unsafe in their workplace. The harasser could be a superior, a colleague or even a customer. The motive could be discrimination based on various factors and can occur as early as at the hiring stage.
2. Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is often the type that comes to mind when discussing the subject of harassment and it is devastatingly one of the most common. It is defined as harassment caused by a person’s sex that causes a person to feel humiliated, unsafe, or uncomfortable. It can also include unwanted sexual advances, either in the form of physical touch and assault, or threats and inappropriate suggestions in a verbal form. Sexual harassment can happen to anyone, at any time, in any location, therefore it’s vital to be able to recognise the signs and understand what action to take.
3. Civil Harassment
Civil harassment includes acts of abuse perpetrated by someone that doesn’t have a close relationship to the victim. It includes actions and verbal threats that involve violence, assault, or stalking. Restraining orders are taken out in cases of civil harassment, and often the actions within this category also fall under other categories of harassment.
4. Criminal Harassment
5. Online Harassment
As technology progresses, so do the ways that a harasser can make an attack on their victim. Cyberbullying or cyber harassment is increasingly in the news these days and it takes the form of electronic communication to make a person feel attacked and unsafe. The harassment can include negative comments and untruthful posts, spreading rumours about others or attacking the person directly. Cyberbullying and harassment can be some of the most subtle, the most difficult to detect and address. While the physical damage may appear to be non-existent, the mental damage is significant and can lead to devastating consequences.
Training Will Make A Big Difference
Regular training and important policies can play a large part in preventing harassment in the workplace. This training and policies will clear up any grey areas when it comes to what is acceptable and what is not acceptable in the workplace and give a channel for victims to report misconduct. Taking this action will prevent any issues from escalating in the future as well as saving your staff members from mental distress and ensure they work in a safe and secure place.
It’s naïve to think that harassment won’t happen in your business, so take action and show initiative to start educating your staff on the standards of how to behave and what to do when others don’t meet those standards. Everyone needs to be aware of the boundaries in place and the procedures to follow when those boundaries are crossed, so that everyone in the workplace can enjoy their work in a safe and stable environment.
