In a professional setting, people want to be appreciated for their skills, expertise, and work ethic, not their looks or sexual appeal. Unfortunately, some people don’t respect the boundaries of others, taking advantage of professional interactions to advance their personal goals. Women, especially those working in male-dominated industries, are always alert to the danger of sexual harassment.
Have you been getting too much attention at work? Here are four tips to help women fight against sexual harassment.
1. Don’t Ignore It
Psychologists agree that sexual harassers start with innocent advances and gradually escalate things using manipulation and other tactics to get their way. If someone harasses you at work, the worst thing you can do is ignore it. Not confronting the harasser or letting other people know about the situation may put you in greater danger.
Sexual harassers don’t like to face the consequences of their actions. So, tell your harasser that you’re not willing to ignore inappropriate behavior. This could make the harasser back off.
2. Talk About Your Concerns
A great way to solve conflicts or misunderstandings in the workplace, no matter the issue, is to talk about your concerns, either with the other person involved or an impartial observer. Would you feel comfortable bringing up the issue with the harasser? This could be problematic if your harasser holds a higher position. However, in many cases, telling someone you’re uncomfortable with how they treat you is the easiest way to make them realize the gravity of the situation.
If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of confronting your harasser, talk about this issue with someone else. It can be your manager, an HR professional, your partner, or anyone else you trust. An impartial observer will help you feel less alone and perhaps give you solid advice about how to move forward.
3. Gather Evidence
If the situation at work becomes intolerable, your only option is to file a sexual harassment claim. However, you will need to provide evidence, so keep notes of all incidents. Who has said what and when? These details are highly relevant. “He said/She said” or “your word against mine” types of cases are messy. If your harasser is a highly influential person in the company, there’s a risk that the case could be dragged out. Your evidence will ensure this doesn’t happen.
4. Find A Good Attorney
Although it’s scary to think about reaching this stage, sometimes hiring an attorney is the most sensible thing to do to protect your reputation and career. If discussing your problem with the manager or the HR team doesn’t solve anything, your only option is to consult an expert with the know-how to handle sexual harassment claims. An attorney will help you protect your rights and get out of this messy situation with minimal emotional distress and no losses.
Final Words
Studies and surveys say it all: women are significantly more likely to be victims of sexual harassment at work and in any other environment. As a working woman, learn how to protect your rights.
