Workplace harassment can happen in many ways. You could have faced discriminatory harassment, such as comments or images that targeted your gender, race, sexual preference, age or disability. Or, you may have been stalked, threatened or asked for sexual favors. As a result, you may feel unsafe and unwelcome at your job.
You have the right to report harassment to your employer. Your employer should take steps to resolve the issue so that you can go back to feeling safe. Here’s what’s expected from your employer:
Document the harassment report
When you go to your employer to report your concerns of harassment, they should be attentive and serious about the situation. Your employer should ask questions about who did the harassment, who may have witnessed the harassment, when it happened and how it happened. These details should go into a harassment report to be investigated.
Your employer should not ignore your harassment claim. If your employer does not take your claim seriously, they are letting the harasser get away with their actions and continue to harass others.
Conduct an investigation
Your employer or upper management should then investigate the harassment claims. They should use any evidence provided to them to determine if the accused violated harassment policies and is guilty of the reported actions.
Your employer should not reveal your name and the details of your harassment claim to others, especially the harasser. If any information is revealed, it could lead to a violation of your safety.
Punish the harasser
If it is clear that an accused harasser did violate employee conduct, there should be some kind of penalty. This may come in the form of a written penalty, counseling, transfer, suspension or termination.
It can benefit you to understand how to approach making a harassment claim and what should be done to help ensure your safety. It also helps to understand when an employer isn’t doing what they should to protect you so that you know when it is time to explore additional legal options.