Types of Workplace Harassment
Workplace harassment is illegal under Federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Laws. Workplace harassment is behavior that is intimidating, hostile or offensive. It can cause an employee an array of psychological and physical symptoms, especially if it is not reported and the person continues to be exposed. It can cause an employee high levels of stress, loss of confidence, depression and job-related performance issues. Workplace harassment should be reported immediately. Employers should educate all employees on this topic, and managers or supervisors should investigate any reports of harassment in the workplace.
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Workplace Harassment
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According to The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) and Civil Rights Act of 1991 offer protection from workplace harassment. Workplace harassment is any behavior that is hurtful or shows aggression toward an employee and based on race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation, disability or veteran status. Harassment creates an intimidating, uncomfortable, or abusive environment and can interfere with an employee's performance. Harassment can also affect an employee's compensation or advancement opportunities.
Retaliation
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Some employees do not report harassment for fear of retaliatory behaviors, but retaliation itself is a form of harassment. If an employee reports harassment and there are delays in an investigation, or penalties or intimidation occur because the harassment was reported, a company can be held liable. This retaliatory behavior can come from management, a supervisor or the original harasser.
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Sexual Harassment
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There are two types of sexual harassment. In "quid pro quo," a person who has authority over an employee offers or withholds a benefit in exchange for sexual favors. The second type is a "hostile" work environment--unwanted repeated sexual comments, touching or any behavior that creates an uncomfortable work environment. Sexual harassment is when any unsolicited sexual advances, request for sexual favors in verbal or written form or any unwelcome behavior requests are made by a co-worker, supervisor or manager.
Harassment Reports
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A employee should report any workplace harassment immediately to the human resource department or a supervisor. If the harasser is the employee's supervisor, the employee should make the complaint to a higher manager or to the state EEOC. An employee should be assured that any acts of retaliation will not be tolerated.
Prevention
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It is important to educate all employees to behaviors that are considered harassment. The EEOC has issued many guidelines that are available to employers to provide harassment training.
Companies should have established procedures for filing harassment. An employee who participates in harassment should face immediate reprimand or termination. Managers and supervisors should take immediate action to eliminate any workplace harassment as soon as it is reported and a zero-tolerance harassment policy should be instituted.
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