Many people may not know what to do when they experience sexual harassment at work. However, there are concrete steps that employees can take.
Sometimes, people may worry that they will lose their jobs if they report sexual harassment. The Houston Chronicle says that employers have to take action when they learn about sexual harassment. When supervisors ignore reported incidents, they or the company may be liable. Each company should have a written policy that explains the organization’s stance on sexual harassment. This policy should include the steps that people should take if they experience this treatment.
Know how to report incidents
When people experience sexual harassment, there are concrete steps they can take to report it. Inc. magazine says that people should look at the employee handbook so they understand the reporting procedures. The handbook may explain who employees should speak to and what kind of evidence they need to provide. Some employers may require written statements, for example. Following the procedures ensures that the report gets to the right people.
Gather evidence
Although people know that discrimination is not legal, they may still worry about their job security. Employees may want to create their record about the incident. They could write down when each act of harassment occurred and what the other person said or did.
When people know that a colleague saw the harassment, they could ask if this person would provide a statement. Additionally, other employees may have experienced harassment from the same person. They may be willing to provide additional evidence. Having these separate testimonies can help demonstrate the full extent of workplace harassment.
People may sometimes receive a negative reaction from their supervisor when they report sexual harassment. In this situation, they may need to consider other options.