It doesn't matter how old you are, what type of job you have or where you work, nothing changes the fact that sexual harassment should never occur at your place of employment.
Sexual harassment in the workplace is every bit as serious as it sounds, as this can negatively impact not only your career but your entire life. Furthermore, it doesn't do the company any favors, as this behavior can make for a hostile work environment for everyone.
The worst thing you can do is sit back and hope that things get better in the future. There is never a good time to tolerate sexual harassment, and remaining quiet will only make things worse.
Fortunately, once you know which steps to take, you can feel better about your ability to take immediate action. Here are some things to consider:
- Speak up right away. The minute you feel that you are a victim of sexual harassment is the minute you should take action. This means many things, including telling the harasser to stop. Be firm to make it clear that you will not tolerate the behavior. Also, don't hesitate to report the incident to your employer.
- Read your employee handbook. This goes along with reporting the harassment. Your handbook will outline the steps you should take in the event of sexual harassment, so make sure you follow the guidelines down to every last detail.
- Take notes. You should get into the habit of taking notes on everything that has happened. Along with this, preserve evidence, such as emails and text messages from the harasser.
- Stick to your guns. Even if your harasser or employer attempts to quiet you, don't let this stop you from protecting your rights. You should never have to work in an environment where sexual harassment is acceptable behavior.
Even though you hope that you are never a victim of workplace sexual harassment, it can happen when you least expect it. If you find yourself in this situation, take immediate action to protect yourself in the future.
As you learn more about your legal rights, the steps you will need to take to end the harassment will become clear, thus enabling your to protect yourself and prevent additional trouble.