2 January, 2020
This world isn’t fair. We have all seen hardworking people left behind because a non-qualified person had better relations with higher management. That’s why professionals try to stay on good terms with everyone. Favoritism is found in every culture. While some are favorites because they have mastered the art of flattery, some superior choose their own favorites for personal gains. Many of them also limit opportunities for ones that they don’t particularly like. That’s how the corporate culture works.
Those who are unable to make the good side of their superior officers face several difficulties on their path to success. One of the difficulties being harassment. Many employers try to bring up people that will do them favors – including physical ones. A self-respected man or woman would never agree to such terms to get ahead. And when a person takes a step back, he/she becomes a subject to the employer’s wrath. Since they can’t just fire anyone they want because they have to follow the rules and laws, they do their best to scare you away.
While leaving such a work environment is the best thing to do, you can’t keep running your entire life. You eventually have to stand up for your rights and face the evil that belittles you. Otherwise, you might have to keep switching jobs. A person that keeps changing jobs rarely lands an important position in any firm. This article is about understanding the harassment at the workplace and the right way to deal with it.
Understand Harassment
Before you stand up with the motto of fighting harassment, you must understand what harassment is. Just because an employer picked someone else instead of you doesn’t mean he/she harassed you. There is a possibility that the other employee was a better performer than you. Even if numbers say otherwise, he/she might have shown a better attitude and loyalty towards the company.
That’s why you can’t stand up and question why an employer chose someone else above you unless there was a commitment that a person who achieves a certain target will be promoted. What merit an employer sets for promotion is his own choice. Here are some of the things or practices that will be considered workplace harassment.
1. Sexual Harassment
The worst and most hated form of harassment is sexual. One doesn’t have to be your colleague or boss to sexually harass you. You can file a charge against anyone who disturbs you for physical relations. You can safely call it sexual harassment if you feel a colleague or employer is touching you inappropriately, or continuously asking you to make outside the work relationship despite your denial. If an employer asks you for physical favor in return for an increment or promotion, it’s sexual harassment.
Here you also have to make sure that you are not giving off the wrong vibe. Remember that workplace romance isn’t illegal. It is also not unlawful for an employer to date his/her employee. Before you make any claims, ensure that the other person has only bad intentions. He/she might have taken a liking to you. According to one of the leading California Sexual Harassment Lawyer, if an employer asks you to go out on a date, it isn’t harassment, but you are also not bound to say yes. If the words were “go out on a date or else”, that’s something you can call harassment.
2. Discriminatory Harassment
Sadly, discrimination is still a part of our culture in the United States despite all the advancements and revolutions. Some have no tolerance for people who are different from them. Discrimination isn’t limited to just gender. People face discrimination because of their age, race, color, religion, and looks. Retaliation discrimination is most common in the state of California. An employee is scared about the consequences if he/she files or plans to file a complaint. If an employer warned you for using your rights, you can call it discrimination.
3. Bullying Boss
Some people are bully by nature, and they do it to everyone. They have toxic personalities and suck the happiness out of everyone around them. On the other hand, you might be the only person subject to bullying. This could happen if you ever angered your employer or he/she doesn’t like you for some reason that you would know better. If your boss if giving you more and challenging tasks with the intention to degrade you, it would be considered bullying. That said, some employers give difficult tasks to an employee to test them for a promotion. Make sure you don’t misjudge anyone and put an axe on your own foot.
Record Everything in Writing
You have to protect yourself if you are being harassed at work. Since the harasser can’t directly ask you to leave, he/she will make your life difficult for you and try to frame you for something. That’s why you should always follow some professional practices to protect yourself. First and foremost of your habits should be to take and keep everything in writing.
Your boss might want you to do something that goes against the policies. You should confirm such a thing in writing with proper wordings. For example, ask through an email confirming that you are being ordered to do something that violates a certain section of the company policies.
Don’t Get Angry
The worst thing you can do for yourself is getting angry. Even if it’s sexual harassment, you shouldn’t lose your mind. Yes, you can attack the person to defend yourself, but you might say a few words that can weaken your case. Whether it’s bullying or discrimination, you shouldn’t fall to their level. Take a stand but according to the book. If you get angry and hit an employer, you’re likely to get fired and will have trouble finding a job elsewhere with that in your record.
Write Down Unusual Practices
A professional never trusts his memory. You should write it down every time you face some sort of discriminatory behavior. This will give you a record of every single instance that your employer harassed you. If you know the time and how you were discriminated against, some evidence might turn up. For example, it might have been recorded in a camera if you were touched unnecessarily. Likewise, there has to be a record if you were given difficult tasks compared to others. This record might help when you decide to raise your voice.
Team with Other Victims
If it’s happened to you, there might be other victims as well in your company. Discuss the matter with others to make a strong case. The US law allows employees in private companies to team up or work together for their rights. The company, on the other hand, doesn’t appreciate lobbies within the workplace. But you shouldn’t be afraid when it’s a matter of harassment. The company will understand that it’s the fault of the harasser that it has come to this.
Don’t be Afraid to Stand Alone
You won’t necessarily find other victims to team up with you. You should try, but you shouldn’t give up if there is no one else. If you are sure what is being done to you is wrong, then you shouldn’t step back and take the matter as high as you can. The number of people may strengthen your case, but your being alone doesn’t make you wrong.
Report to the HR Manager
Every company has an HR department that is responsible for ensuring your rights. The HR department doesn’t work under the CEO.
Even the directors have to follow the policies installed by HR. You should consult the HR manager about the employer when or if you face harassment. However, it is recommended to talk to the harasser first. You should calmly and respectfully explain how his/her behavior has been hurting you. See if there is an understanding to make things easier for both of you; otherwise, the door of the HR manager is always open for you.
Go to the Court if Needed
Many companies and employers have the HR department under their control. HR might try to scare you off or discourage any actions. Make sure you have proof that you talked to the employer and the HR manager before you take any further actions. A written email would be good enough for proof. Even some meetings with HR managers are recorded on a video camera.
Your further action would be to take the issue to court. Make sure you hire a good lawyer to guide you about the case. He will tell you if you should pursue to the court or try to settle the matter with culprits.
Don’t Quit Job before Finding a New One
If you are planning to quit your current job, it is suggested to find a new job first. Getting a new job can take months even if you are skilled. It can be difficult to survive for months just on savings. You should start looking and applying for jobs as soon as you decide to leave your current workplace. Only after you have a joining letter, should you give a resignation letter to the HR manager.
