Whatever kind of harassment you may be facing in the workplace, there is nothing more difficult than dealing with these issues. People are usually targeted on the grounds of race, gender, or sexuality, but the spectrum is a large one, and you may even feel as though you’re being bullied for no clear reason. Unfortunately, these things do happen, and they can leave you feeling as though you don’t even want to go to work anymore. However, you shouldn’t have to put up with this, and there are some things that you can do to bring it to an end.
Tell your boss as soon as possible
Harassment at work can be really difficult to talk about, and you may feel as though it doesn’t have anything to do with your employer. After all, they are only really concerned about the job that you’re doing, not your social issues, right? However, your boss does have a duty to stop any kind of threatening behavior towards any employees, and if he or she is somebody who cares about the wellbeing of their team members, they will step in right away. Don’t keep this to yourself, and certainly don’t downplay its significance if it is affecting your day-to-day life. You don’t deserve this, and your boss will be glad that you brought it to their attention.
Write down everything that happens, and when
If you need to take workplace harassment issues further, it will benefit you to have all of the events written down so that you can remember exactly what has happened, and when, too. Not only will this help you to fight your corner in the unlikely case that you have to go to an employment mediator, but it will also help your boss – and others – to understand the scale of the situation. It is difficult for them to comprehend what has been going on if you can’t remember some incidents clearly, so always keep notes where you can and include as much detail as possible. You’ll be glad that you did this later on down the line.
Evaluate whether getting a new job is a good call
If you really love your job and you don’t want to leave, then it may be worth it to report the harassment and get it dealt with, and stand your ground without giving up the role that you love. However, if these issues at work have left you with a bad taste in your mouth, and you’d prefer to leave and get a new job somewhere else, there is nothing weak or wrong about this. You have to choose what is best for you, but don’t just leave without saying anything about what is going on, as it could mean that your harasser(s) think that they’ve got away with it, and can do it to others. Decide what you want to do, but don’t feel like you have to leave.
So, if you’re being harassed in the workplace, there are many things that you can do to bring it to an end, and get back to enjoying a healthier, and happier, work environment. Tell your boss, and get it sorted!
