Positive steps to combat Sexual Harassment

 
It is appalling that we live in a society today where people still think it is alright to harass and discriminate  against people because they are jealous, ignorant or malicious. What to do about harassment can seem daunting when you are the victim, however the law is on your side. There are constructive steps you can take to make you feel more in control of the situation.

What to do about Harassment?
 
In defence of some people they can be just ignorant of their behaviour. They genuinely do not believe they are being either rude, degrading or that their behaviour is offensive. Once this has been highlighted most mature people are truly apologetic and endeavour to change their attitude.

Other people unfortunately are either immature, bad-mannered or think they sound clever/funny by being offensive – often these people have self doubt and worries of their own that they are unable to deal with. For some reason  harassing a fellow worker makes them feel better about themselves. Well that’s the very basic psychology of it – but knowing that these people are in need of help themselves doesn’t actually make you feel better does it? So you need some strategies that will really help you.

Firstly you need to start feeling more in control of the situation.

Often these people who are making such vile comments, can take away your confidence and that is something you need to rebuild. If you need to seek help from your doctor due to anxiety this should be recorded.

Click here  for Health and Harassment

• Assess the situation with someone outside the work place an independent person, sometimes families can feel overprotective, friends often can be more analytical.
  • Analyse your own behaviour/ response to the person who is sexually harassing you; try to do it as if you are speaking about someone else.
  • Write all your feelings down , how you feel in which situation
  • Construct a personality profile of the person who is harassing you with regard to their
    • Attitude to other co-workers
    • If they behave the same way with everyone
    • Do they touch other people inappropriately
    • Are they openly abusive with others
    • Are the derogatory comments laughed at by co-workers

By looking at the personality of the individual who is committing the offence you will able to be factual about their behaviour and less emotionally involved. This gives you that step back and a bit of distance that you may need to help you takes the next step forward, which will be taking action.You may see ways of being able to alter circumstances giving you the control and confidence to confront the individual in a non threatening manner.

• Keep a written  account of incidences

  • Make sure you date and time incidences with people who were around at the time and if they witnessed the abuse or action.
    • Date of incident
    • Location
    • Time
    • Nature of harassment – what was said/ done/insinuated
    • How you felt at the time
    • Action taken by you or others
  • Unfortunately your co-workers may not be prepared to support you in these sorts of cases as they are concerned for their own jobs. On the surface they may offer support but often they may be living in fear, or have been a victim of the harassment itself.
  • Keep copies of abusive emails, letters – photocopy reports/notes which make derogatory comments
  • Do not keep these records at work or only on your computer you may need this as evidence in a court of Law. Duplicate your information or record it from your computer onto a memory stick and keep this at home.

• Talking to the person who is harassing you.

  • This can be really scary because the person you are going to speak to has caused you so much anxiety. Take a witness with you if possible. Make notes so you can have dates of the incidences and the specific harassment you perceived if they ask for specifics.
  • Remain calm and polite at all times.
  • If you don’t want to talk to the person concerned yourself, ask someone else to do so for you, but try to remain as a witness.

• Speak to your manager or HR

  • Most good organisations have written policies and protocols regarding harassment in the workplace and have formal steps which can be taken.
  • You should be offered support and advice from your HR personnel. If you feel unsupported by your HR department write a formal letter stating that you feel let down and ask what course of action has been taken regarding the harassment. State that you feel intimidated, disempowered and isolated and ask what action they are going to employ  to help you.
  • If your manager is the one who is harassing you, you will need to write a formal complaint to the owner of the business.
  • If the boss is the owner and you have no formal process of grievance procedure or the boss is verbally or physically abusive you may choose to take legal action.

• Trade Unions

  • If you are a member of a trade union you can seek help and support form your union representative

It is important to note that currently bullying,discrimination and harassment are considered differently although there is considerable overlap. If you have left your employment due to the harassment, you may be able to take your employer to an Employment Tribunal or be able to claim constructive dismissal. You will need to speak to a professional Lawyer who specialises in employment Law prior to proceeding with this.