Different Types Of Harassment Ways To Prevent Them

There are different types of harassment occurring in workplaces that are more common than we realize. It is often the case that victims are not sure of what constitutes workplace harassment and what to do when they face harassment. Many cases go unreported, and it continues to be a problem that can ruin jobs and turn companies into toxic, unproductive environments.

What Constitutes Workplace Harassment?

Although many victims of workplace harassment think they would recognize harassment and report it to those in charge, harassment often leaves them in an uncomfortable and confusing predicament. By creating a workplace harassment policy, you can take the necessary steps to create a safe working environment for all your employees.

Harassment in the workplace may or may not have physical evidence. Misconduct usually includes offensive jokes, slurs, epithets or name-calling, physical assaults or threats, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, inappropriate objects or pictures, and interference with work performance.

Harassment also occurs in a variety of circumstances, such as these:

• The harasser could be the direct supervisor, a supervisor in another area, an agent of the employer, a coworker, or a non-employee.

• The victim does not have to be harassed but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.

• Unlawful harassment may occur without economic injury to or discharge of the victim.

Workplace harassment is a serious issue with a lot of gray areas. If you witness a crime or experience harassment in the workplace, you should report it. If you are worried about losing your job, remember that workplace harassment laws protect you.

Different Types of Harassment

Discriminatory harassment occurs when someone harasses another person because of their membership in a protected class. Workplace harassment based on the protected characteristics is unlawful under state and federal law. Here are some of the different types of discriminatory harassment.

• Harassment Based on Race

Racial harassment is harassment of a victim because of their skin color, race, ancestry, or citizenship status. If the harassment is on the perception that a person is a race, the mere perception is enough to qualify as prohibited racial harassment. Racial harassment might include slurs, insults, racist jokes, degrading comments, racial disgust, and other behaviors.

• Harassment Based on Gender

Gender harassment occurs when coworkers, supervisors, or third parties discriminate against someone based on gender. Often, gender harassment occurs because of negative stereotypes about how women and men should act. Both men and women can be victims of gender discrimination.

• Harassment Based on Religion

Religious harassment focuses on the religious beliefs of the victim. It can comprise intolerance towards religious customs, traditions, holidays, and clothing. It can also include religious jokes, degrading comments, and pressure to convert to a different religion.

• Harassment Based on Disability

Workplace harassment based on a disability is illegal. It is also unlawful to discriminate against someone because of a relationship with a disabled person or disability services. Disability harassment can include joking, patronizing behavior, isolation, and refusals to provide reasonable accommodations.

• Harassment Based on Sexual Orientation

Workplace harassment based on sexual orientation is gaining greater recognition. This harassment occurs when victims face discrimination because their sexual orientations differ from others around them. People of any sexual orientation may face this type of harassment. For example, a heterosexual man might face harassment for working as a hairdresser, while a homosexual man might face harassment when working in a construction job.

• Age-Related Harassment

The Law prohibits age-related discrimination of workers who are of any age. Age-related harassment can include insults, teasing, unfair criticism, or activities based on age. 

• Personal Harassment

Personal harassment is a type of harassment at work that is not discriminatory. It is also called bullying, and it is not illegal. Personal harassment can include offensive jokes, comments, humiliation, criticism, ostracism, and intimidation.

• Physical Harassment

Physical harassment is workplace harassment that includes physical threats or attacks. In some cases, it can be an assault. Physical harassment comprises threats of harm, hitting, shoving, kicking, threatening behavior, or destruction of property to intimidate someone. 

People working in industries like health care, law enforcement, social services, and education have a higher risk of workplace violence.

• Power Harassment

Power harassment occurs when there is a difference in power between the victim and the harasser. The harasser bullies someone who has a lower status in the workplace hierarchy. Power harassment can include making excessive demands, demeaning comments, intruding into the worker’s personal life, verbal intimidation, or physical harassment.

• Psychological Harassment

Psychological harassment involves actions that harm a victim’s psychological wellbeing. That can negatively impact the victim’s work life, health, and social life. Workplace psychological harassment might include isolating the victim, ignoring the victim, belittling the victim, and more.

• Online Harassment

As more employers embrace technology, the potential for online harassment increases. Workplace online harassment can include spreading gossip about the victim online, sharing humiliating information by mass chat, or sending harassing text messages to the victim.

• Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is harassment in the workplace that is sexual and can include unwanted sexual conduct, advances, or behavior. It is a type of illegal discrimination. Some examples of sexual harassment at work can include the following:

• Sharing sexual photographs
• Posting sexual posters
• Inappropriate sexual touching or gestures
• Sexual jokes, comments, or questions
• Invading someone’s space in a sexual manner

• Verbal Harassment

Frequently, verbal harassment results from personality conflicts. It is not illegal. A verbal harasser can be someone who is consistently unpleasant. Verbal harassment can include insults, cursing, yelling, or threats in private or public.

How Can You Prevent Workplace Harassment? 

Here are three ways to prevent workplace harassment. 

• Implement And Update Your Policy

If you do not have a policy yet, create one. If you do, but it is outdated, update it. If you do, but no one cares or knows it exists, dust it off and enforce it. If there is a well-enforced policy, your staff will have to abide by it. But as long as there is no guiding light for conduct and misconduct, you are asking for chaos.

• Train Your Staff

Train your employees on what harassment is, how to recognize it and how to report it.

• Revive Your Internal Complaint System

Policy and training can only do so much. An internal complaint system can make employees feel safe and supported. Unless you have a formal complaint system that acknowledges the rights to anonymity and security from retaliation, they probably will not come forward. Victims will fear the potential backlash, and the lack of support might be worse than the harassment they already face.

Bottom Line

When dealing with workplace harassment, avoid a few certain behaviors. Most importantly, avoid retaliating since retaliation can escalate the issue. In addition, avoid complaining to coworkers. Again, do not keep quiet about the harassment. Remaining quiet will not make the behavior go away. You must report any harassment incidents you come across and investigate all complaints thoroughly. 

A healthy, positive, and harassment-free workplace eradicates toxicity and helps in employee engagement and increased productivity. Thus, you must ensure your workplace does not encourage harassment and discrimination towards anyone.