6 Most Common Types of Workplace Harassment
Any
company must play its part to maintain a safe working environment. If there are
hostile actions, in some cases, it is illegal. Toxicity in the workplace must
be removed, otherwise it has the potential to escalate into an embarrassing
lawsuit, the kind of publicity no company wants.
There are many types of Harassment at work.
Harassment may consist of unwelcome or offensive behaviour that contributes to
a hostile work environment. These can come from a co-worker, supervisor, boss,
vendor or client that can cause an employee to feel uncomfortable or
threatened, so let’s take a closer look at the most common types of workplace
harassment.
1. Physical Harassment
Physical harassment is one of the most common types of
harassment at work. This can also come in the form of violence, both physically
or to property. This can also be threatening behaviour. In its extreme, it can
even be termed assault. An employee may be physically abused, such as pushing,
punching or slapping, as well as other kinds of physical abuse.
It can also involve a car, for example. One worker may damage the car (or
motorbike or bicycle) by tampering, breaking, scratching or inflicting other
kinds of damages.
2. Personal Harassment
Personal
harassment can also be called bullying. The victim may be subjected to unwanted
remarks, insults, offensive and derogatory statements. Being constantly put
down with condescending statements can all be seen as personal harassment.
3. Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment in the
workplace is when
the perpetrator behaves in a romantic or sexual way towards the victim who is
clearly uncomfortable and does not want attention of this nature. There is also
something known as Quid Pro Quo sexual harassment where the superior makes a
sexual request to the victim and if not taken up, a threat of something
negative happening is made, such as losing their job or not getting a
promotion.
4. Discriminatory
Harassment
This
type of harassment in the workplace is directed at someone’s race, age, sex or
some other form of protected class who is subjected to offensive or
intimidating remarks. People need to be really careful today. You can sometimes
overhear someone say these kinds of statements in private conversations.
Discriminatory harassments are particularly tricky to navigate, so it is best
you get advice from an employment lawyer for their expertise and guidance.
5. Psychological Harassment
Sometimes, the harassment can be of a psychological nature and
can have a negative impact on the victim. A victim is often put down, belittled
or has to listen to needless condescending remarks that can affect him or her.
These negative remarks can be aimed at the victim from both a professional as
well as personal level.
6. Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying
is also seen as harassment and it is done online. The person doing the
harassing can make threatening statements to the victim or spread rumours on
social media. This can then spread like wildfire. It can also get out of hand.
Now, there is the possibility of others joining in and also harassing the
victim (people who are not working in the same company). There have been
instances when cyberbullying someone vulnerable has led to them taking their
own life. While this may be rare and is also extreme, it has happened before.
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