Common Workplace Problems & Solutions
Every workplace will eventually encounter a problem that requires the intervention of a supervisor or the business owner himself. Differences between employees is a fact of life for most businesses, and many human resource departments have developed strategies to address them. The key in every process is the involvement of the employee. If this employee comes forward with clear information on the problem, business can uncover a solution.
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Stress at Work
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Work-related stress is a very common problem across many industries. According to the University of Arizona's Lifework Connections website, job-related stress can stem from a lack of clarity in employee performance expectations, a feeling that an employee is doing the work of several employees or a lack of consistency in how the company applies work rules to employees across the board. Stress can affect job performance and may even impact an employee's home life in his interactions with family and friends.
Harassment
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Harassment is another common workplace problem that can create a difficult working environment. Harassment can take many forms from overt intimidation by a coworker to a coworker spreading harmful rumors and encouraging other employees not to talk to the employee in question. Harassment can be debilitating, leaving the employee feeling as though she has no real way of reporting the incident because the offending employee won't get fired and the bad behavior will only increase.
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Sexual Harassment
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Sexual harassment in the workplace is separate from general harassment, as its dynamics are different. Sexual harassment involves any unwanted advances of any kind that an employee may interpret as sexual. The offending employee's intentions with the behavior are immaterial to the interpretation of the victim. Basically, it doesn't matter if the employee was joking; the behavior is unwarranted. Sexual harassment in the workplace or any environment can make a victim feel powerless to stop the behavior. This is especially true when the behavior emanates from someone in a position of power such as a direct supervisor.
Reporting the Behavior
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Report a workplace problem to your immediate supervisor in private, away from other employees. You should make your supervisor aware of the dates of the behavior and employees involved in the behavior and personally document your communication with your supervisor. In cases of workplace stress, your supervisor may adjust your workload to allow you more comfort at work. In cases of harassment or sexual harassment, the offending employee may be offered counseling sessions in effort to allow him to correct the behavior and return to work normally.
Termination
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When it comes to sexual harassment, many employers have a zero-tolerance policy. This means you can lose your job over a single claim of sexual harassment or misconduct while in the workplace. Employers are more inclined to dismiss an employee accused of sexual harassment rather than stand behind the employee and risk a multimillion dollar civil lawsuit from the victim. This way, the employer acts in the victim's best interests and avoids any liability.
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