What Is Workplace Harassment: Types and Prevention

Workplace harassment is a big problem in the U.S. I’ve looked into it to explain its types and how to stop it. It makes work hard and can lead to discrimination, hurting both workers and bosses¹.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) says workplace harassment is any unwanted behavior. It’s about things like race, color, religion, and more. If this behavior is a must to keep a job or makes work scary, it’s illegal².

Employers have a big role in stopping harassment. A good plan to stop harassment is key for a respectful workplace. This means having clear rules, training, and acting fast when problems happen.

Harassment is a big issue. In 2017 and 2021, 19% of Americans said they faced bad behavior at work¹. These facts show we need strong ways to stop it and understand its types.

• Workplace harassment is unwelcome conduct based on protected characteristics.
• Harassment becomes unlawful when it affects employment or creates a hostile environment.
• Employers are liable for addressing and preventing workplace harassment.
• Clear policies and training programs are essential for harassment prevention.
• Nearly one-fifth of Americans have experienced workplace harassment.
• Understanding different types of harassment is crucial for prevention efforts.

Workplace harassment is a big problem in the U.S. It’s important to know what it is and how it affects people and companies.

Workplace harassment includes many kinds of bad behavior. This can be mean jokes, bullying, or even physical harm³. Every year, the EEOC gets about 82,000 reports of this kind⁴.

Harassment laws help protect people based on things like race, gender, and age⁵. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 helps those with 15 or more workers. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act helps those with 20 or more⁴.

Being treated badly at work can really hurt. A survey found 40% of women and 14% of men have faced sexual harassment³. This makes work hard and can hurt your health.

Companies need to step up to stop this. They should have clear ways to report problems and teach everyone about not being mean. Not doing this can lead to big legal trouble and harm the company’s name⁵.

“Victims of digital harassment can document incidents in screenshots or saved emails to report offensive behaviors.” – Sheri Mooney, CEO of Mind Squad HR

Understanding workplace harassment is key to making a safe work place. By knowing the different kinds of harassment and acting fast, we can fight this big problem at work.

Workplace discrimination targets many groups, like race, gender, and age. Laws protect against harassment for these and other groups⁶. Let’s look at the main types of harassment.

Racial discrimination at work means unfair treatment because of race or ethnicity. This can be jokes, slurs, or being left out. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 covers this in companies with 15 or more workers⁷.

Gender discrimination targets people based on gender identity or stereotypes. It can be unequal pay, not getting promoted, or rude comments. Sexual harassment is a type of gender discrimination, including unwanted advances⁶.

Religious discrimination means treating someone unfairly because of their beliefs. This can be forcing them to join in religious acts or making fun of their faith. In California, the Fair Employment and Housing Act protects against this in companies with 5 or more workers⁷.

Age discrimination, or “ageism,” affects those 40 and older. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects them in companies with 20 or more workers⁷. This can be jokes or unfair treatment in hiring and promotions.

Harassment can come from bosses, coworkers, or even customers. Employers are responsible for a hostile work environment, even if they don’t take direct action⁶. Knowing about these types of discrimination helps make a respectful workplace for everyone.

Sexual harassment is a big problem at work today. It makes work places not safe and hurts how well people do their jobs. I looked into this to show how common it is and its effects.

There are many kinds of sexual harassment, like unwanted advances and making work places hostile. To prove harassment, an employee must show they faced unwelcome actions because of their sex⁸. How bad the harassment is is judged in two ways⁸.

Being harassed can really hurt people. Victims might feel anxious, depressed, or have physical issues like headaches. They could also lose their job and do worse at work⁹.

To fix this, we need to do many things. Companies should have clear rules, listen to complaints, and train everyone. In California, companies must teach their bosses and regular workers about stopping sexual harassment¹⁰.

For a safe work place, talking openly and valuing everyone is key. It’s important to know that being aware of ourselves helps. It helps people spot and stop bad behavior.

We can fight sexual harassment at work by having strong plans and valuing respect. This way, we can make work places safer and better for everyone.

Workplace harassment comes in many ways, like physical and verbal abuse. These can make work scary and threaten safety.

Physical harassment means unwanted touching or threats at work. It’s a big problem that mixes right and wrong actions. People in certain jobs like healthcare and law enforcement are more at risk¹¹. This kind of abuse can lead to more complaints and less safety at work.

Verbal harassment is common in the workplace. It includes using offensive words or sharing bad images at work¹². This kind of abuse can make work feel hostile and hurt people’s feelings.

To fight these problems, companies need strong policies and regular training. They should also promote respect. By tackling both physical and verbal harassment, we can make workplaces safer and more welcoming for everyone.

Power harassment is a serious issue in the workplace. It happens when those in charge use their power to scare or treat badly those below them. This makes the work place a bad place to be and breaks the rules of what employees should be treated like.

In the workplace, power harassment can be many things. Bosses might hurt or upset their workers, using their power¹⁴. This includes yelling at them, making them feel scared, leaving them out, making false claims, or even hitting them¹⁵.

This kind of harassment has big effects. It can cause physical harm, emotional pain, make work harder, and lead to missing work¹⁵. Sometimes, it can even cause people to lose their jobs.

“Power harassment is a serious issue that undermines workplace morale and productivity. It’s crucial for organizations to address this problem head-on.”

To stop power harassment, companies need strong rules. These rules should help report and deal with these issues¹⁶. It’s also key to teach workers how to spot and report harassment¹⁵.

Workers who face power harassment have ways to act. They can tell their bosses, file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or get legal help¹⁵. In some places, like Japan, laws protect workers who speak up about this kind of harassment¹⁶.

Creating a work place where everyone is respected and included helps stop power harassment. This, along with good leadership, can cut down on bullying and make work better for everyone.

Psychological harassment at work is a big problem that hurts people’s mental health. It’s when someone is bullied with mean words or actions over time¹⁷. Let’s look at how to spot this bad behavior and its effects.

Psychological harassment can be many things. It includes mean words, threats, and making someone feel left out¹⁸. People being bullied might feel alone at work or hear bad rumors about them¹⁸. This makes a work place toxic, hurting trust and work performance.

It’s not always easy to see when someone is being bullied. It can be as simple as not being included or as bad as being openly bullied. Those being bullied might cry, feel sad, have trouble remembering things, or even get sick¹⁷.

Being bullied at work can hurt long after you leave the office. People can feel sad, angry, and tired all the time¹⁷. These feelings can also hurt their personal life, making it hard to have good relationships or enjoy life.

“Psychological harassment poisons the workplace atmosphere, leading to conflict and potentially even violence.”

Employers need to stop and deal with bullying at work. They should make rules, teach people, and listen to complaints¹⁸. Workers can help by speaking up, setting limits, and getting help when they need it¹⁸.

By fighting against psychological harassment, we can make work places better for everyone’s mental health and happiness.

Workplace harassment comes in many forms, from subtle to obvious. It makes the work place a bad place to be. I will look at common types of harassment and give examples to help identify it.

Harassment based on protected classes is common. In 2020, most reports were about disability discrimination. Also, 10% of LGBT workers faced discrimination in the past year¹⁹. Workers 40 and older, who are protected by laws, often face age-based harassment¹⁹²⁰.

Sexual harassment is a big problem. It affects 25%-85% of women at work, especially LGBT BME women²⁰. This includes unwanted advances, touching, or making a workplace sexual.

Personal harassment makes the work place scary or hostile through bullying or bad behavior¹⁹. Physical harassment uses threats or force to make someone do their job badly¹⁹. Now, cyberbullying is a big issue in the digital world, causing serious problems for victims.

It’s important to know about these harassment types for a safe and respectful work place. Employers must watch closely and act fast to stop all kinds of misconduct. This helps avoid legal trouble and keeps employees safe.

The digital workplace has brought new challenges, like cyberbullying and online harassment. With more people working from home, virtual harassment is a big problem²¹. It’s important to set clear boundaries because social media mixes work and personal life.

Online harassment is a big issue in today’s workplaces. It can be mean jokes, slurs, or making work hard²². These attacks are hard to deal with because they happen online, making victims feel alone and helpless.

Harassment on social media at work includes unwanted messages, rude comments, and even cyberstalking²². Seeing bad pictures on social media can make work feel unsafe, hurting how well employees do their jobs²². Employers need to act fast to fix these problems.

To fight digital harassment, companies should have clear social media rules and teach about stopping sexual harassment²². If you’re being harassed online, keep a record of what happened, tell your boss, and get legal help if you need it²². Keeping work and personal life separate online is important for a good work environment²¹²².

Employers are key in stopping harassment. I’ll share important steps to make a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

Creating strong workplace rules is the first step in stopping harassment. These rules must clearly say what behaviors are not allowed and how to report them. Companies are now focusing on making detailed anti-harassment rules to stop bad behavior and protect workers²³.

Many states now make anti-harassment training a must. For example, McDonald’s has made this training a requirement²³. These training programs teach all employees how to spot and stop harassment²³.

These programs are making a big difference. In 2018, EEOC staff held over 1,000 events on harassment for more than 115,000 people and companies. They trained over 9,800 workers and bosses in Respectful Workplaces and over 13,000 in following the rules²⁴.

Building a welcoming workplace is more than just rules and training. It takes ongoing talks and setting a good example. Managers are key in making a healthy place to work by handling concerns well²³.

But, there are still issues. In tech, 42% say managers in bad work cultures often act unkind and rude to workers²⁵.

By using these steps, employers can make a workplace where learning and respect are key. This greatly lowers the chance of harassment happening.

Workplace harassment is a big problem for many workers. It’s key to know your rights and how to act when you face this. Remember, you have legal support and the right to a safe job place.

When you see harassment, tell the person it’s not okay and to stop. Keep a record of what happened. This record is important if you need to take the issue further.

If the harassment doesn’t stop, report it through your company’s process. Many places have different ways to report harassment. This helps make sure issues get looked at²⁶. Learn about how your company deals with these complaints.

When you report harassment, give all the details you can. Include when, where, and who was there. It’s against the law for your boss to punish you for speaking up²⁷. If you’re punished after reporting, keep track of that too.

If your company doesn’t fix the problem, you might need outside help. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) deals with harassment and other job discrimination²⁸. They can tell you about your rights and what legal steps you can take.

You deserve a workplace without harassment. Knowing your rights and how to report harassment helps make a safer, more respectful place for all.

In my look into workplace harassment, I found out how key it is to prevent and be aware. Employers must play a big part in keeping workers safe. They should make strong policies and a culture of respect. Workplace harassment stats show 1 in 10 workers face cyberbullying at work. This shows we need strong ways to stop digital harassment²⁹.

Following the law is very important in dealing with this issue. Employers must make a clear harassment policy. They should check it every year and put it where everyone can see it³⁰. This policy must show a strong commitment to stopping harassment. It should explain what harassment is and apply to everyone at work³⁰. By doing this, companies can make a place where workers feel safe and respected.

It’s key to train all workers, especially those in charge, on harassment. Good policies should give examples of different kinds of harassment and how it happens, both in person and online²⁹. I think by focusing on teaching, having clear ways to report, and acting fast, we can cut down on harassment. This will help make work places more welcoming for everyone.

1. Workplace harassment – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workplace_harassment
2. Discrimination, Harassment, Harassing Conduct, and Retaliation Defined | U.S. Department of the Interior – https://www.doi.gov/employees/anti-harassment/definitions
3. What is Workplace Harassment? It’s Types and Ways to Report – https://www.vantagecircle.com/en/blog/workplace-harassment/
4. 6 types of workplace harassment and how to report them – https://www.goethena.com/post/types-of-harassment/
5. Harassment in the Workplace & Hostile Work Environment | Bohm Law Group – https://bohmlaw.com/areas/harassment/
6. Harassment – Worker.gov – https://www.worker.gov/harassment/
7. Discrimination and Harassment in Employment – https://legalaidatwork.org/factsheet/discrimination-and-harassment-in-employment/
8. Sexual Harassment: What Does the Requirement of Severe or Pervasive Harassing Conduct Mean? – https://www.caemployeeattorney.com/blog/sexual-harassment-what-does-the-requirement-of-s/
9. SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE: A COMPLEX REALITY – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sexual-harassment-workplace-complex-reality-legal-specs-mkicc
10. Sexual Harassment in the Workplace – https://www.ncsl.org/labor-and-employment/sexual-harassment-in-the-workplace
11. 11 Types of Workplace Harassment (and How to Stop Them) – https://www.caseiq.com/resources/11-types-of-workplace-harassment-and-how-to-stop-them/
12. 3 Types Of Workplace Harassment To Watch Out For | EVERFI – https://everfi.com/blog/workplace-training/watch-out-for-these-3-types-of-workplace-harassment/
13. The 10 Most Common Types of Workplace Harassment – https://www.hracuity.com/blog/workplace-harassment/
14. Power Harassment in the Workplace | Case IQ – https://www.caseiq.com/resources/power-harassment-in-the-workplace/
15. How To Identify, Prevent, And Respond To Power Harassment At Workplace – Sentrient Blog – https://www.sentrient.com.au/blog/how-to-identify-prevent-and-respond-to-power-harassment-in-the-workplace
16. Power harassment – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_harassment
17. What is Psychological Harassment? – https://inrs.ca/en/psychological-harassment-and-sexual-violence/psychological-harassment/
18. How To Identify, Prevent, And Respond To Psychological Harassment In The Workplace – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-identify-prevent-respond-psychological-harassment-workplace
19. 11 Different Types of Workplace Harassment (Everything You Need to Know) — Etactics – https://etactics.com/blog/different-types-of-workplace-harassment
20. Most common types of harassment: 8 Types – https://www.getimpactly.com/post/most-common-types-of-harassment
21. Preventing Harassment In The Modern Workplace: Complying With The EEOC’s Newest Guidance For Employers – https://www.forbes.com/sites/alonzomartinez/2024/05/03/preventing-harassment-in-the-modern-workplace-complying-with-the-eeocs-newest-guidance-for-employers/
22. Workplace Harrassment & Social Media | Bachus & Schanker – https://www.coloradolaw.net/blog/workplace-harassment-and-social-media-what-you-need-to-know/
23. How To Stop Workplace Harassment: The Strategies You Need To Know – https://www.easyllama.com/blog/how-to-stop-workplace-harassment
24. What You Should Know: EEOC Leads the Way in Preventing Workplace Harassment – https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-eeoc-leads-way-preventing-workplace-harassment
25. Creating a culture of respect: Proactive strategies for workplace harassment prevention – https://www.talentlms.com/blog/workplace-harassment-prevention-strategies/
26. 5 Tips on How to Respond to Workplace Harassment | EVERFI – https://everfi.com/blog/workplace-training/how-to-respond-to-workplace-harassment/
27. Harassment – FAQs – https://www.eeoc.gov/youth/harassment-faqs
28. PROPOSED Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace – https://www.eeoc.gov/proposed-enforcement-guidance-harassment-workplace
29. CIPD | On this page – https://www.cipd.org/en/knowledge/factsheets/harassment-factsheet/
30. Code of Practice to Address Workplace Harassment Under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act – https://files.ontario.ca/workplace_harassment_en.pdf