CNBC released a survey in 2017 that said approximately one-fifth of Americans have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. A total of 800 Americans across the country answered the poll from December 10 to December 13. Of those 800 people, 19% reported being harassed at work. If you have or are experiencing harassment at the workplace, then know you are not alone. Even so, it can be a daunting thing to try to face and fix on your own. Knowing how to effectively deal with harassment in the workplace can be difficult.
Have You Been Harassed At Work? Here’s What You Need to Do Next:
What Should You Do?
According to the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, if you believe you have been harassed at work you should first tell the person to stop. Unfortunately, this is not always an option.
What If Telling them to Stop is not an Option?
For many people, simply telling the person to stop is either not an option as they are not comfortable doing so, or they have already told the person to stop and it has not been effective. In such cases, the steps outlined below could help you:
Anti-Harassment Policy:
You need to find out whether or not your employer or company has an anti-harassment policy. If you feel overwhelmed or uncertain, contact a harassment attorney. You should be able to locate the policy on your employer’s website or even in an employee’s handbook. If you are unable to find one, then you could approach the HR department or, if you are comfortable in doing so, your supervisor. If your HR has an anti-harassment copy, you should ask to have a copy for yourself.
Assuming that you now have a copy of the anti-harassment policy, you should follow the steps that are outlined in the policy. Most policies detail the ways you can go about reporting the harassment. You have various options, and you should choose the option that you feel most comfortable with- this includes filing an official complaint.
Approach a Supervisor:
Should you be in the position where there is no existing anti-harassment policy, then you should approach a supervisor that you feel comfortable with- it does not have to be your own supervisor. You will need to explain how the harassment took place and request that the supervisor assist you in stopping the harassment or how you can report it, or file an official complaint.
Punishment or Retaliation:
If you are concerned about punishment or retaliation, then you should be aware that the law actually protects you from this. Legally, you possess the right to file a complaint, report, or be involved in an investigation for harassment without retaliation.
Reasons to Hire an Employment Lawyer for your Business:
When it comes to dealing with settlement claims, worker’s wages, personal injury cases, and so on, getting the right attorney is critical. This will allow your business not to get arm-twisted into paying extra to the detriment of your business. An Employment Lawyer San Diego can help you navigate factory and industry-related issues arising from your labor workforce. This is a very sound investment for any business.
What if you do not have anyone within your company that you feel comfortable approaching this matter? You can then file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC. This can be filed regardless if you feel comfortable talking to someone within your company or not. There are several factors to consider when filing reports and complaints, and they should be filed as soon as possible.
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