5 Signs you're being Harassed at Work

How many of us have been harassed at work without realizing what happened? To identify harassment, you've to first understand the meaning of harassment.?

Harassment is unwelcome behavior that creates a hostile work environment. It can take many forms, including physical, emotional, and mental harassment.

Regardless of the form, harassment is persistent, creates an uncomfortable, hostile, or abusive work environment, and should be reported to an employer or HR representative.

Signs of Harassment at Work:

Consistent and unwanted behavior: One of the signs of workplace harassment is persistent behavior that is unwanted and unwelcome.

For example, if a colleague constantly makes unwanted advances, comments, or jokes that make you feel uncomfortable, it could be a sign of harassment.

Power imbalance: Harassment often involves a power imbalance where the harasser has more power or influence than the person being harassed.?

This could include a supervisor, manager, or someone in a position of authority who uses their power to make unwanted advances or comments.

Emotional distress: Harassment can cause emotional pain, including anxiety, fear, or depression. Feeling anxious or distressed about going to work or interacting with certain colleagues could be a sign that you are being harassed.

If your colleagues are bullying you, saying things behind your back or verbally harassing you by passing sly comments, you should contact HR and report this unacceptable behaviour.?

Unfair treatment: Harassment can also involve unfair treatment, such as being excluded from meetings or opportunities, criticizing your work unfairly, or being denied promotions or raises without a valid reason.

Physical contact: Harassment can include physical contact, such as touching, grabbing, or assault.

If you feel physically threatened or unsafe in the workplace, you must report the behavior to HR or management immediately.

Scared to report harassment at work? Here's what you need to do

It's always easier said than done. Regardless of gender, reporting harassment at a workplace, especially with an unequal gender ratio or an organization that doesn't have strict policies on harassment, is not easy.?

It takes immense courage to do so; if you're scared, you're right. However, being courageous isn't easy, especially when you risk losing your job. You'd never know how this would work. Whether HR will consider my request? What if this backfires, and I'm at the receiving end??

Breathe.?

Here are some steps you can take to report harassment safely and effectively:

• Document the harassment: Keep a written record of any incidents of harassment that you experience or witness, including dates, times, locations, and details of the behaviour.
• Identify a safe person to talk to: Identify a trusted person to who you can talk about the harassment, such as a supervisor, HR representative, or union representative.
• Prepare for the conversation: Before reporting the harassment, take some time to prepare what you want to say and how you want to say it. You can practice with a friend or family member if that helps.
• Report the harassment: Report the harassment to your employer or HR department in writing or in person, depending on the company's policies. Be clear and specific about the behavior that is occurring and how it is affecting you.
• Follow up: Follow up with your employer or HR department to ensure appropriate action is taken to address the harassment. Keep track of any steps that are being taken to investigate and address the issue.
• Seek support: Consider seeking support from a counsellor or therapist to help you deal with the emotional impact of the harassment. You may also want to contact an employee assistance program (EAP) if your company offers one.

Final Thoughts!

We understand that speaking about issues like harassment isn't easy because it's still considered taboo in various societies. Regardless, you must understand the significance of personal autonomy and call out people for making you feel uncomfortable in any way. Working somewhere doesn't mean you're liable to mental torture or uncomfortable gestures from coworkers.