What are all three types of harassment at work?
What are the 3 types of harassment?
1. Harassment Verbal
When someone uses offensive, derogatory, or threatening words to control, intimidate, or belittle another individual, this is considered harassment. Examples include
Name-calling or insulting others, or spreading rumors.
Emails, messages, or comments that are hostile or intimidating.
Making offensive jokes about the protected status of a person.
Harassment based on age, gender, race, sexuality, etc.
– making derogatory remarks about someone’s mental or physical abilities.
2. Visual Harassment
This type of harassment is the display of offensive symbols or images in the workplace, which can be seen by anyone, including customers and clients. Harassment can be defined as anything employees see that is linked to a protected group. Examples include:
Posters, cartoons, or written comments on whiteboards.
Drawings or graffiti that depict stereotypes about gender, race or religion or disabilities.
Displaying offensive content on computer screensavers and monitors.
Clothing that is inappropriate or offensive.
Displaying offensive content on social networks
– the display of explicit videos or photos in the workplace.
– Placing objects of an offensive nature on walls or desks.
Using symbols or slogans that are related to harassment in the workplace.
Displaying harassment-related material in the workplace
3. Physical Harassment
This type of harassment involves uninvited and offensive physical contact or unwanted touching. This type of harassment includes:
Pushing, shoving or kicking.
Sexual advances or touching.
Grab someone’s clothes
– to block someone’s path.
– making threatening physical contact or threatening gestures.
– sexually abusing a coworker.
Intentionally damaging the property of another person
– physically harming someone at work.
– threatening violence or harm to the body in the workplace.
Other Harassment Types
Other types of harassment exist. These can be expressed verbally, physically or visually.
Sexual Harassment
This type of harassment involves unwanted sexual advances or requests for sexual favors. It can also include verbal or physically abusive behavior. This can take the form of offensive images, jokes or comments made about someone’s body. The harassment may start out innocently, and the perpetrator is unaware that they are harassing someone. Sexual harassment in the workplace can range from staring long at someone to making unwanted advances or even touching them without their permission.
The term sexual harassment includes harassment that is based on gender identity and expression. Sexual harassment can lead to a hostile workplace and psychological distress for employees. Sexual harassment occurs in the workplace because of power dynamics. The victim is left feeling vulnerable and unprotected.
Discriminatory Harassment
Discriminatory harassment occurs when a group or person is harassed based on their race, physical characteristics, age, religion, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or gender. It can be verbal, such as a name-calling incident, or physical. This can also include posting offensive comments in the workplace about members of a specific group or making offensive remarks about someone’s race, religion, gender, etc. Discriminatory harassment can lead to a hostile workplace and serious psychological consequences for the victim.
- Racial Harassment – This is a form of harassment that involves verbal or physically abusive conduct directed towards an individual based on their race, ethnicity, nationality, or color. The harassment can be in many forms including name-calling or offensive jokes. It may also include derogatory remarks, slurs and physical harassment. Racial harassment can be a result of prejudice, and it can create a hostile or intimidating work environment.
- Gender harassment is any harassment that involves gender, such as sexual harassment. This harassment can come in many forms: insults, jokes about someone’s gender expression or identity, offensive gestures and comments, or unwanted sexual advances. The harassment of women can lead to a hostile workplace, which makes it hard for the victims to perform their jobs effectively.
- Religious Harassment – This type of harassment is directed against individuals because of their religion, practices, or affiliations. Verbal harassment, insults, and derogatory remarks about a person’s religion or belief are examples. Posting offensive comments about religions can be part of the harassment. Some people may be harassed because they don’t belong to a particular religion. It can be harassment if a person of a different faith preaches their beliefs at work.
- Disability Harassment is the harassment of people with disabilities. This includes both physical and mental disabilities. Harassment against people who are in wheelchairs, with hearing or vision impairments; have mental illnesses, learning disabilities, and physical limitations. Disability harassment includes any verbal or physical harassment directed at an individual because of their disability. Visual harassment includes offensive cartoons, posters, and jokes, as well as verbal harassment such as comments and jokes. Physical harassment can include pushing or touching.
Personal Harassment
Harassment is any form of harassment that targets an individual based on their personal characteristics, such as their age, marital situation, sexual orientation or political beliefs. Personal harassment is also known as bullying because it involves aggressive behaviors such as insults and threats. This can include intimidation, coercion or manipulation in the workplace. Posting offensive comments on social media about people can also be considered harassment.
Power Harassment
It occurs when a person or group is in a position to abuse their power in order to harass, intimidate, or belittle others. Power harassment can come in many forms. Verbal harassment is one example. Others include spreading rumors and gossip about a person, assigning unreasonable deadlines to that individual, or giving them too much work. Power harassment can include making fun of someone’s work, or humiliating them in front of other people.
Harassment Psychological
Harassment is when you are constantly insulted, threatened, belittled or put down in a hostile and intimidating work environment. Psychological harassment at work can come in many forms. It could be name-calling or being made feel inferior or worthless, as well as feeling that your colleagues don’t respect you. Those who are subjected to such harassment often suffer from anxiety and depression.
Online Harassment
The harassment can be done digitally, such as through social media, text messages, or email. The harassment can include cyberbullying and sending threatening texts. Online harassment can cause victims to feel anxiety, depression and fear.
Other types of harassment are not covered here. You should be aware that harassment comes in many forms. It’s important to know the signs so you can protect yourself and other people from harassment at work.
Effects of Workplace Harassment
The impact of workplace harassment on an organization can be significant.
Harassment creates an uneasy environment that can affect morale and productivity. An environment where employees are harassed can be toxic, and they may not be as able to focus or perform their job as well as in a harassment-free workplace.
Harassment may lead to an increase in absences as a result of stress or illness. Harassment victims are more likely than others to take sick leaves, which can lead to decreased productivity and higher costs for the organization.
-Increased Turnover: Harassment may cause employees to feel unwelcome or unsafe, which can lead them to leave an organization. The increased costs of employee turnover can include new staff recruitment, training and other expenses.
Harassment at work can create a negative impression of an organization, and cause customers to stop doing business with it. Customers want the best service possible, but can’t rely on the company to deliver it if they don’t care for their employees.
– Tension between Employees: Harassment may lead to tension among employees, leading to strained relationships and poor communications.
Harassment Can Damage The Organization’s Image: Harassment may damage the reputation of an organization and cause customers, clients, and potential employees to lose trust.
Legal Issues: A claim of workplace harassment can lead to legal action. This can have severe financial and reputational implications for an organization. These can include court fees, legal costs, fines and/or damages.
Preventing Harassment at Work
Organizations must take proactive steps to prevent workplace harassment. Here are a few steps that organizations can take in order to prevent harassment.
Establish Clear Policies
Organizations should implement and create a harassment policy that explains what harassment is, and how it’s dealt with when reported. The policy should include information about how employees can report harassing behavior, how the investigation will proceed, and what possible consequences harassment may have.
Building a relationship based on trust and respect
Organizations should foster an environment of respect and open communication in the workplace. Employees should be able to raise concerns about harassment or any other issues they might have at work.
Make Your Workplace Safe
The organization should foster a culture in which harassment is not tolerated and where employees are comfortable speaking out if they have experienced harassment. Training sessions, communication channels that are open, resources to support employees, and letting them know where they can get help will all be helpful.
Monitor the Workplace
Organizations need to monitor their employees’ work and ensure that there is no harassment. You can do this by checking in with your employees regularly, conducting surveys and using anonymous reporting systems.
Take Action
It is vital to act quickly and appropriately to protect the victim from further harassment and to prevent it. This should include an in-depth investigation as well as appropriate disciplinary or criminal action.
How to Deal With Workplace Harassment
As an Employee
It is important that you take action if you are experiencing harassment at work. If you are experiencing harassment, here are some steps you can take:
-Document what happened: Documenting the incident can help you to remember the details and be useful if you decide on legal action.
-Report it: Organizations must take action if you report harassment. Report the harassment to your supervisor, or anyone else in a position that has authority.
Seek Support: Speak to family or colleagues who can offer support and guidance. You can also find resources such as hotlines for harassment or legal aid groups that will help you.
Take Action: Depending upon the severity of the harassment, you may need to file a lawsuit against the harasser. Consult an attorney before you take any further action to ensure your protection.
As an Employer
It is vital to act quickly and effectively if your employees are experiencing harassment at work. Here are some things you can do to deal with workplace harassment:
Take all reports seriously: Every report of harassment must be taken very seriously, and thoroughly investigated. Respect the privacy of those involved but don’t let that stop you from taking appropriate action.
Follow Procedures: Make sure that the policies and procedures for harassment are followed to ensure a fair investigation.
-Support: If necessary, provide support to those who have been harassed, including counseling, medical attention or time off from work. Allowing them to share their stories and speak out is crucial.
-Adopt Appropriate Measures: Once the investigation has been completed, you should take appropriate measures, including disciplinary actions or legal action, if needed. It will prevent harassment from happening again and make the workplace a safer place for all.
Bottom Line
Remember that harassment at the workplace is not acceptable. Organizations must provide a safe environment for their employees. Take action and notify the authorities as soon as you can if you are a victim of harassment. Employers should take the necessary steps to create a safe and secure workplace.
