Whether you’re starting your firsts or 5th job, the feeling never really changes at the beginning- you’re excited and nervous, and hopeful about the future of your career. Something that you never really think about though, is the prospect of workplace harassment. And why should you? It’s something that shouldn’t be happening. Unfortunately, it does occur quite a bit. The good news is that there are ways in which you can handle it, and this is why you should always walk into a workplace with confidence, with the knowledge of exactly what to do in the event that you end up experiencing harassment in the workplace.
Have a lawyer contact ready at all times
The wisest thing to do is get down to some research and find yourself a lawyer’s contact that specializes in this area. In the US, for example, each state has its set of lawyers that actually specialize in harassment issues. Nashua locals in particular know that information found at https://eclaw.com/harassment-lawyer/ allows them to feel that much more secure and ready to confront any cases of harassment. You should do the same, regardless of where you are. Even if there are no instances, it’s always best to be prepared for the worst case scenario. Ask around, check online, and even contact lawyers or law firms, just to get an idea of what kind of services they can offer you in the event that you experience any kind of harassment issue at the workplace.
Understand company policy on the matter
Something you need to do is really understand the company’s policy on sexual harassment in the workplace. There should be a handbook of some sort that clearly states how such cases are handled, and who you should report to, and so on. If not, it’s a good idea to get back to your lawyer and notify them because this is certainly a red flag- every credible workplace needs to take accountability for such occurrences and know how to deal with them in accordance with the law.
How to handle inappropriate conversation & behavior
In the event that you do find yourself in a compromising situation where a colleague either speaks to you in a suggestive manner or even gets physical, then you need to report it immediately. Write down all the details and if possible, get witnesses to cover your statement as well. It’s important that you warn such people that what they’re saying or doing is highly inappropriate and that it will be dealt with accordingly so that they too, are aware of the line that they have crossed.
Have a professional give a presentation
The worst thing that usually happens is that the majority of people are quite ignorant, and don’t actually know what qualifies as sexual harassment in the workplace. This is why it’s so important that every once in a while, your company makes it a point to bring in a professional to give a proper session and inform the employees of what harassment actually is. It’s important that everyone understands that there is a fine line, and how they need to be conscious of their words and behavior to ensure that they never cross that line. It is just as crucial to educate the employees on what the laws are, what kind of consequences will take place, and how best they can avoid this altogether to foster a healthier and more comfortable work environment for everyone involved.
Keeping the tips mentioned here in mind, it is extremely important to note that no one should ever feel the need to suppress and keep any information in because they feel doubt or shame. It’s important to always stay well informed on the matter so that you have the upper hand and are able to prevent it from the get-go. And in the event that you do find yourself in a situation where you feel harassed, then it’s important that you take action immediately and with confidence as well. This is something that unfortunately, too many people have overlooked or kept quiet about because they didn’t know who to turn to or what to do. This is why it’s so important that as a company policy, every single employee understands what it means and what the consequences are. By doing so, more and more workplaces will feel safe and will be able to provide a healthy working environment for anyone that joins them. This is a matter that needs to be addressed and needs to be within the text of the workplace policy as well.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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