You could argue that the latter half of 2017 has been plagued with harassment claims – hitting big industries from all walks of life whether it includes television and movie actors, key executives at high tech companies or higher ups from venture capital firms. The net has been cast far and wide, engulfing almost everyone in the workplace, both males and females alike.
High value employees at key positions in the company are no longer safe from harassment claims and will be laid off at the drop of a hat. Harassment however can occur at just about any level in a business, and not just at the top levels.
Often times harassed employees are too scared to speak out because they fear reprehension at the hands of the very people who are poised to protect them.
The role of mitigating a toxic environment in the office space which fosters the conditions for an inevitable sexual assault falls on the employers, key executives and HR staff. These ‘pillars of the office space’ must create an atmosphere which welcomes employees from all walks of life and supports those who believe they have been harassed or bullied.
Employees need to know that their concerns will be taken seriously, investigated and if needed, accompanied by appropriate action. The prospects of creating such an environment might seem a little formidable, but a determined effort to cultivate it will definitely pay off both for the employers and the employees.
What you should do if you’re being harassed
Your first course of action would be to tell the person who’s harassing you to stop. If the person persists, follow the steps mentioned in the employer’s anti-harassment policy. If there is no such policy in place, then talk to your supervisor, manager and enlist their help. If push really comes to shove then you can make an appointment with a representative from the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to get explore your options.
Employers must enact a strong anti harassment policy in the company to properly defend against harassment claims. If the existing policy needs improvement, now would be the right time to make those changes, completely revamp an ineffective one and notify all employees about that they must strive to maintain an office environment which is free from the hassles of harassment.
But the policy shouldn’t just take the form of a few ineffective words on a piece of note, employers and other policy makers in the company must take prompt action whenever harassment complaints arise. They should also be on the lookout for any obvious signs of stress or malpractice in the office. A harassed employee won’t always voice their complaint when bad behavior is taking place.
Remember that trust takes time and a commitment effort to build from the ground up. And if you shrug them aside when a high stake situation does arise, then it’s only a matter of time before it boils over into a barrage of lawsuits.
