Usually, when someone’s behavior crosses the line and becomes inappropriate, you’ll know it. It can be difficult, however, to know when exactly it becomes something more serious, such as harassment. Sometimes at work, coworkers, supervisors or customers do or say things that are degrading or annoying. But is this harassment? 

What is Harassment?

Workplace harassment is "any behavior that demeans, humiliates or embarrasses a person, and that a reasonable person should have known would be unwelcome." Harassment can include: 

• Threats, intimidation or verbal abuse
• Unnecessary physical contact, such as touching, patting, pinching or punching
• Unwelcome remarks or jokes about subjects like race, religion, disability or age
• Displaying sexist, racist or other offensive pictures or posters
• Sexually suggestive remarks or gestures
• Physical assault, including sexual assault

Under federal law and Department of Labor (DOL) policy, harassment by DOL employees of DOL employees based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or parental status is prohibited. The Department of Labor does not permit harassing conduct by anyone in the workplace, including contractors.

Bullying in the Workplace

Unfortunately, bullying is not limited to the schoolyard. Adults use physical and emotional tactics to humiliate, intimidate and feel in control as well. Bullying is only illegal when it violates federal or state laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment in the workplace.

Identifying Bullies

Much like the bullies we remember from school, adult bullies tend to be people who are insecure, have poor social skills and little empathy. These people are usually trying to compensate for their inadequacies by attacking or diminishing those around them. 

Workplace bullies often find fault with their targets, or subject them to unjustified criticism. They may humiliate their victim in front of others or set unrealistic goals to ensure the target's failure. The effects of this bullying can include self-doubt, poor productivity, severe emotional stress or even physical violence. 

Sexual Harassment

Like bullying, sexual harassment is about power. If someone is saying or doing unwanted or unwelcome things of a sexual or gender-related nature, you are experiencing sexual harassment. Sexual harassment may include: 

• Inappropriate touching
• Offensive jokes, remarks or verbal abuse based on gender
• Making sexual requests or suggestions
• Staring or making unwelcome comments about your body
• Displaying sexually offensive pictures

While women are most often the victims, sexual harassment can also be directed at men. Incidents are often perpetrated by authority figures, such as managers or clients who take advantage of the victim's vulnerable position. Sexual harassment might include one isolated case, or it can be behavior that occurs repeatedly over a longer period of time.

What is Discrimination?

Discrimination is a form of harassment that occurs when someone is treated differently or unfairly because of a personal characteristic such as skin color, race, national or ethnic origin, or religion.

There are a number of federal laws prohibit discrimination, but the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act specially, prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating based on race, color, sex, religion, or national origin.

Discrimination can include, “Not being hired, losing a job, being paid less, or not getting a promotion or some other work benefit … different or unfair treatment."

Behavior that demeans, humiliates or embarrasses, and which is unwelcome, such as racial slurs or jokes, is considered discrimination. Discrimination can be emotionally devastating to the victim and can poison a workplace environment.

How to deal with harassment 

Employees have the right to work free of harassment and discrimination, and employers have a responsibility to ensure that discriminatory or harassing behavior is not tolerated. Most organizations have harassment policies, which outline codes of conduct and procedures for dealing with complaints. Contact your HR Department for a look at your organization's code of conduct or harassment policy. 

Although you should make it clear to a harasser that their behavior is unacceptable, be careful about confronting a bully yourself. Instead: 

• Report any form of harassment to your Human Resources Department.

• Keep a record of the incidents, including times, locations, witnesses, medical reports.

• Take good care of yourself. Harassment can take an emotional and physical toll. To combat the stress it causes, get enough rest, eat well and keep fit. Above all, don't resort to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with stress.

• Get support from friends, family or coworkers.

Any type of bullying, intimidation or discriminatory behavior is an infringement on your rights and contributes to an unhealthy workplace. It is therefore important to acknowledge and deal with this issue to prevent it from occurring again in the future.

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