Whenever you believe you are the victim of sexual harassment at work, you may be unsure what to do initially. However, after filing a complaint, you may find it challenging to deal with your day-to-day employment. A fundamental step that you can take is to get advice from a sexual harassment lawyer. This should be done before you confront any coworkers or management. In most cases, it is best to seek employment elsewhere if your employer is the culprit. In situations where a coworker or management employee is the culprit, you will likely be able to hold onto your job while taking the matter further. However, you must always proceed with caution and the help of a specialized professional lawyer to ensure your career and reputation are kept safe. Sexual harassment cases can be emotionally taxing as well, as the culprit will attempt to reject the accusations or even claim that you are the instigator. This article offers more specific advice on what to do if you find yourself in a harassing scenario at work.
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Make A Note Of It
Begin writing down precisely what happened as soon as you are subjected to harassment. Be as descriptive as possible: record dates, locations, times, and potential witnesses to what occurred. If feasible, request that coworkers take down what they saw or heard, mainly if the same thing happens to them. Others may read this written record, so be as clear and precise as possible. Keep the record at home or in another secure place where you will have access to it if something unexpected happens at work. Even if you feel that “it’s not that of a big deal,” but if you feel uncomfortable, it was probably harassment.
Keep Track Of Your Work Performance Records
A harasser may attempt to justify themself by criticizing your work performance. Keep copies of any documents of your work performance, such as performance assessments and memoranda or letters demonstrating the quality of your work. Try to gather copies of necessary documents if you don’t already have them (by legitimate means only). You are permitted to review your personnel file in some states, and according to corporate policy, thus you must do so if permitted. If you are not allowed to copy the contents, you should either create copies of important papers or take thorough notes of the file.
Also, do all communications via email or Whatsapp/SMSes. Before speaking via direct voice call. Because you will have written records of every conversation, you will have sufficient documents to plead your case if a hearing takes place. Written evidence is the most solid form of evidence to have in a sexual harassment case. However, you must be sure that none of your responses come across as potentially instigating a situation. Always keep your side of the case clean, and never provoke the harasser, as this will put your case in jeopardy. Furthermore, you will also be placing your career on the line.
Speak Up
Talk to other employees at work about the harassment if you can do so safely. You may come across witnesses, supporters, or people who have been harassed by the same person or who are eager to assist you. Inform supporting friends, family members, and coworkers of the abuse. Not only will the action of speaking to others about the harassment provide you with much-needed assistance and encouragement, but it can also serve as essential crucial evidence. If the harasser has been doing this to you, they may have probably done it to others too. You may even find other women empowering you as you speak up about the situation.
Acquire Your Own Attorney
Even if you are exposed to harassment, you may need to take specific steps to defend your rights. For example, your employer’s policy (or even the law) may compel you to report possible sexual harassment to human resources or managerial staff to hold the employer liable for the harassment. Note that if the harasser is a management, the law does not need you to report the harassment to hold the employer responsible for it.
An expert employment attorney will help to determine the appropriate HR or another employee to whom you should disclose alleged harassment. An attorney can also assist you in outlining your account of the harassing behavior. Thus if you are tense and nervous with HR or a manager about the behavior (which is reasonable), you’ll be able to present all of the critical information precisely and professionally.
