Sexual harassment is a very serious concern in the workplace. Because it’s such a personal issue, it sometimes can be difficult for people to recognize when they’re the victim of harassment, even when the actions are blatant. Business Insider lists some of the signs of sexual harassment so you can take the proper steps to have the issue rectified.
For many people, sexual harassment is ongoing, even after the employee speaks up about the behavior. This is a hallmark of harassing behavior; a person requests that the behavior stops, whether it involves jokes, offensive remarks, or romantic advances, but the harasser continues and even escalates the harassment. This can create a hostile work environment that prevents the employee from doing his or her job, as the subject of harassment is likely to become quite upset and may even think about quitting their job due to the behavior.
At this point, many people debate whether they should report the issue to management. Unfortunately, many people fail to do so because they fear backlash, which often includes accusations that the person is somehow deserving of the ill-treatment. You may also feel embarrassed or even needlessly worried about getting the perpetrator in trouble. These feelings are quite common for people experiencing sexual harassment at work and can prevent them from following the proper channels to report the issue.
You should also be aware of how sexual harassment often plays out to determine whether it’s happening to you. Sexual harassment can involve compliments that make you feel uncomfortable, stories about sexual conquests, repeated requests for meetings outside of work, not respecting your personal space, and any other behavior that makes you feel wary or uncomfortable. When it comes to cases like this, it’s best to act promptly to report the problem. You can speak with a manager about the issue, and if necessary you can consult with an attorney about the steps you can take to protect your legal rights.
