3 Steps to Take If You're Being Sexually Harassed at Work
If there is one thing that you shouldn't have to worry about when you go to work, it's sexual harassment. Unfortunately, however, this can be more common than you think. If you are the victim of sexual harassment—or if you think that harassment is going on but aren't sure if what you're dealing with qualifies as harassment—then you should take steps to protect yourself. These are three steps that you should take in this situation.
1. Document Everything
First of all, it is important to document as much as you can in regard to the harassment. Keeping any work emails, text messages, or phone messages that are inappropriate is important. Documenting the harassment by jotting down a brief description of what happened and the approximate time and date can help you establish a timeline for the behavior. If you have photographs, videos, or other evidence of what has happened, make sure that you keep it in a safe place.
2. Communicate with a Superior
You should not have to go through this type of situation on your own. Instead, you should look for a superior whom you trust and feel comfortable with to report the harassment. If it is a member of management who is participating in the behavior, don't be afraid to go over his or her head to a higher supervisor. You can also talk to someone in the human resources department of your company to find out what you should do to take action.
3. Hire an Attorney
If you aren't getting the support that you think you should be getting from your superiors at work or the HR department, or if you aren't completely sure if you are being harassed and would like some clarification, then you should not be afraid to talk to a sexual harassment lawyer about the situation. A sexual harassment lawyer can talk to you a little more about your situation and can help you determine if the behavior is, in fact, sexual harassment. He or she can also tell you how to proceed with the situation and can advocate for you when needed.
As you can see, there are steps that you should take to protect yourself if you are sexually harassed at work. Follow these steps and you can take action to help protect yourself from this behavior. Plus, doing something about it can also help prevent others in the office from having to go through the same thing. Find a sexual harassment lawyer at a firm like Campbell, Dille, Barnett & Smith, P.L.L.C.