How to Stop Harassment at Work: A Comprehensive Guide

We all know how to handle street harassment from childhood. We can run away, ask for help, or avoid dark alleys and deserted dead-ends altogether. But what do you do when someone harasses you at work? You can’t exactly yell for help or hit the offender with your purse. Moreover, workplace harassment is rarely as overt and blatant. However, ignoring it is not an option either.

Identifying Harassment

Finding the line where sexual harassment begins can be challenging. Some may consider a colleague’s attention as mere compliments, albeit slightly over the top, while others may find it genuinely offensive. Therefore, before addressing the issue, ensure that it is indeed harassment. You might be dealing with someone who has a primitive sense of humor.

Step 0: Eliminate Any Misunderstandings

The right to express female sexuality is a complex issue that feminists have been trying to resolve for years. However, in the workplace, the answer is clear: according to business etiquette, sexuality has no place at work. Ethical codes, not rights infringement, dictate that employees should not wear provocative clothing or share personal life details with colleagues. These rules apply to all genders. So, if a male colleague shows up in an inappropriate tank top, you have the right to make a remark, although it’s unlikely to be genuinely sexual.

You can nip some potential harassment in the bud by simply adhering to workplace decorum. Familiarize yourself with business etiquette, as it contains many useful tips beyond dress codes. For example, it advises against accepting unsolicited gifts from supervisors or meeting with a colleague of the opposite sex one-on-one outside of work hours, even for an innocent walk.

Step 1: Have a Heart-to-Heart Conversation

Most workplace harassment can be stopped with a simple conversation. Start by gently but firmly hinting that you do not appreciate such behavior. If you are uncomfortable with hugs as greetings or other invasions of personal space, suggest replacing them with a more neutral ritual, like a handshake or a playful eastern greeting with folded hands.

If humor doesn’t work, take the final “soft” step. Inform the person that you are not interested in a relationship because you already have a partner. If you do have a partner, ask them to pick you up from work. If not, a brother, another relative, or a good friend can play the role. If the person persists even after knowing about your relationship or family, it’s time to be direct. Clearly and unambiguously state that you consider their behavior as genuine harassment, and it makes you uncomfortable.

Most conflicts end at this stage because people capable of harassment are often unprepared for direct confrontation, preferring innuendos and games. To avoid sounding rude or offending the boss or colleague you still have to work with, assure them that you value their professional qualities and are confident that this small disagreement won’t affect your working relationship. This will protect you from potential petty retaliation.

Step 2: The Best Defense is a Good Offense

If talking to the harasser doesn’t yield results, it’s time for decisive action. Warn the abuser that you are ready to expose their behavior publicly. Gather evidence, such as screenshots of messages, texts, or voice recordings. While these may not serve as definitive proof of guilt, they are crucial for convincing others. If the case goes to court, your colleagues will likely remember the numerous signs of attention you received, and they can serve as witnesses.

This is much easier if the harasser is a colleague. In such cases, there are specific guidelines in labor legislation. The immediate supervisor is responsible for preventing harassment, so complaining to them should resolve the problem. It’s possible that one of you will be transferred to another department. The supervisor cannot ignore such a complaint. Moreover, if you inform your colleagues about this “black sheep” in the workplace, it will become unbearable for the abuser to work with everyone.

It’s more complicated if your harasser is a supervisor. You can only go to higher management with substantial evidence, and preferably with witness testimonies. Even then, the management might not want to deal with departmental issues and may suggest resolving the matter in court.

Step 3: Legal Matters

In the case of colleague harassment, it’s unlikely to reach court. However, in complex relationships with a supervisor, it might. Be prepared to be persistent, as such cases are often reluctant to be considered, and the decisions can be ambiguous. Do not be tempted to let it slide.

After gathering evidence and interviewing colleagues who can serve as witnesses, file a police report. While it may not yield immediate results, the fact that you have a signed statement is important. It also serves to intimidate the person causing you so much discomfort. This shows that you are serious and will fight to the end to defend your rights.

There are several possible outcomes:

If the supervisor harasses you without using their position, it’s best to start looking for a new job. Even if you manage to prove their guilt, working under their supervision will be torture for both of you. Do you really want to work with such a “professional”?
If they coerce you with financial threats, such as dismissal, damaging your work record, giving bad recommendations, or withholding salary or bonuses, refer to the Labor Code. If you are officially employed, the supervisor cannot take any action against you without substantial evidence. You can challenge any sanctions and unlawful actions in the State Labor Inspectorate and file a lawsuit in court. Such lawsuits are even exempt from state fees.
If your employment is unofficial or “gray,” you can still contact the State Labor Inspectorate, but proving anything will be much more difficult. They still cannot fire you without cause, and you can avoid financial losses by finding a new job. Do not fear threats from a “bully” boss or business owner to tarnish your work history: the only thing they can do in such a case is to cheat on the settlement. Unfortunately, you should always be prepared for this possibility from the start when accepting an unofficial job. However, you can publish honest reviews about such a businessman on the internet. In this age of fast information and thorough verification, they can significantly impact the potential partners and clients of a dishonest person.