Experiencing sexual harassment at work entitles you to a legal, ethical, and employee relations obligations that will support your claim. If you find it intimidating, do not let your harasser continue his wrongdoing. Instead, stand up for yourself through the following practices.
Say No
Saying no is a given upon experiencing an act of sexual harassment, but one should know that informing and instilling to the harasser that his or her actions are unwelcome may kick some sense onto the head. Tell that the behaviour offends you and clearly show dispassion by refusing touching and out-of-work invitations.
Report the Harassment
If saying no doesn’t work, and the harasser continues to offend you—whether physically or verbally—then it is essential to report the act. Tell your supervisor, human resource manager or another person in the office that has the power to stop the harassment. According to employment lawyers I.R. Thompson Associates Ltd, immediately reporting any form of harassment can stop it from becoming worst.
Write it Down
As soon as you experience the harassment, write it down as to keep a record of what exactly happened. Be as specific as possible; write down dates, places, times, and possible witnesses. Be accurate and do not keep the record at work—keep it at a safe place where nobody else has access. Doing this ensures the safety of your statement.
Find Other Victims
It is possible that the harasser has offended other persons in the past. Look for them and ask for their statements as your report becomes stronger if they have filed complaints before. Secure their testimonies, whether through video or writing, adding it as support for your claim.
Consider a Lawsuit
After reporting your case to your manager then you can file a lawsuit. Apart from penalising the harasser, you can also seek monetary damages from your claim. Upon considering this, it is ideal to work with an attorney who handles sexual harassment cases.
Many different forms of sexual harassment exist in the workplace. To stop this, victims should stand up and speak for themselves. Report your harasser and make sure that your employer supports your case.