No one wants to experience harassment at work, but over 50% of employees are affected by workplace harassment and misconduct. This is a steep percentage, showing the issue ranges far and wide. These workers might experience verbal or non-verbal harassment, whether that’s offensive comments, inappropriate touches, or work sabotage.
When you experience this type of abuse, you want it to stop, and making a complaint to your employer might seem like the most effective method. However, this can make the issue worse if you are unsure of the process. Before you make a complaint addressing workplace abuse and misconduct, you must understand the steps to complete. The three steps below will ensure you are properly prepared and your complaint is airtight.
Document and Gather Evidence
When you are experiencing harassment in the workplace, it is important to keep a detailed record of all incidents. You should have ideally started documenting from the very first time. This evidence will include a range of details, such as dates, locations, times, and witnesses. The incidents should be described accurately and objectively; it might be difficult, but you mustn’t let your personal feelings overtake the details.
Your gathered evidence might include emails, instant messages, memos, texts, and so on. Some of this information might have been passed along to you from another individual; for example, if offensive comments were made about you on a group text, a member might provide you with this information. Digital and physical copies, as well as screenshots, should be stored safely off of company property.
All documents like this could serve as useful evidence if you make a formal complaint or later approach an employment attorney.
Understand the Company’s Policies and Procedures
Before you proceed with your complaint, you must familiarize yourself with the company’s policies and procedures related to workplace harassment. This will include understanding the correct reporting channels, who is the designated contact person or persons, and other specific requirements that must be met when filing a complaint.
Most companies’ workplace harassment policies will define the harassment, detail zero tolerance, explain the reporting procedures, summarize investigation processes, and offer support resources. The aim of this is to ensure there is a safe and respectful environment for all employees within the company.
Having knowledge of the relevant policies and procedures will simplify the process. You will complete the steps correctly, as instructed, and provide the necessary information when you are making your complaint.
Seek Advice from an Expert
If you are still unsure how to, or whether you even should, complain to your employer about harassment, you can speak to an expert. This might be your union or an employment lawyer. Federal and state laws protect employees from harassment in the workplace, and you should make use of your rights if this is what you are experiencing. Your union or an attorney can explain your rights and look at your experiences to determine whether or not you should proceed.
The expert you speak to will be able to go through the evidence you have collected as well as your company’s policies to ensure you are adequately prepared to make a complaint. It is important to remember that complaining to the Human Resources department of the company might not provide the result you wish, especially as that department primarily works to protect the company from potential publicity nightmares.
To conclude, there are numerous steps you should take before complaining about workplace harassment. These steps include documenting and gathering evidence, looking into the company’s policies and procedures, and seeking advice from an expert. This will ensure you are sufficiently prepared before the complaint it formally filed.
