The workplace is supposed to be safe. And this doesn’t just mean the space is free from recognized hazards. It also means employee rights are respected.
But that isn’t always the case. There are times when workers have been discriminated against, punished for exercising basic rights, and harassed – and it happens more often than you’d expect. In fact, two in ten employees (21%) have been directly targeted in the workplace.
When this occurs, action is needed. For some, this means highlighting the situation internally. For others, this means seeking assistance from employees who deal with harassment claims near Bozeman MT. Either way, harassment must be tackled.
However, you should be able to spot the signs of harassment at work first. This is trickier than it sounds. Fortunately, this post is here to help, so keep reading to learn more.
1. Verbal Abuse and Insults
When it comes to verbal abuse and insults, there are certain things to know. Such words aren’t always classed as harassment. They only become legally unlawful under federal law if they are tied to a protected characteristic – like age, disability, race, religion, and so on.
Similarly, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) explains that this treatment must be pervasive or severe. In other words, the conduct must be frequent or intense. It might also be ongoing enough to create a hostile work environment.
If the treatment you experience does not meet this criteria, it might be considered general bullying. While this is uncomfortable and unpleasant, general bullying is technically legal under federal law. Many company HR policies and some state laws do prohibit this, though.
2. Unwanted Sexual Advances
Sexual harassment is defined as a form of sex discrimination. It includes requests for sexual favors, unwelcome sexual advances, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Maybe your boss persistently asks you on dates. Perhaps a coworker makes lewd gestures at you. These are prime examples.
This type of behavior might be pervasive enough to create a hostile workplace. If it’s just a one-off comment, then it doesn’t cross the legal threshold.
You must be aware of Quid Pro Quo here, too. At times, an employer will offer a promotion based on whether you accept an advance. Alternatively, they might threaten firing. This violates the law.
3. Exclusion and Isolation
Again, there are certain criteria that need to be met for exclusion and isolation – otherwise known as “workplace ostracism” – to be considered unlawful harassment. Simply put, it either needs to be tied to a protected characteristic or a form of retaliation for reporting discrimination.
According to the EEOC, ostracism will contribute to a hostile work environment if it is frequent or severe enough to alter the conditions of employment. Your boss might deliberately cut you out of an essential meeting because of your race. If so, that behavior supports a legal harassment claim.
To conclude, workplace harassment is… tricky to pin down. There are rules and laws you need to know to determine whether the behavior you’re facing is actually unlawful. Only by doing that can you choose how to resolve the issue.