What to Do If You Experience Sexual Harassment at Work
Sexual harassment can happen anytime and anywhere to anyone. Contrary to the common belief, not only women but also men are vulnerable to getting harassed at work. And the more we silence about the matter, the more the perpetrator thinks that his/her behavior is okay.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment does not need to be a direct contact of touching and groping, but bullying and any discrimination based on someone’s gender can also be included within the term. Sexual harassment is the realization of sexism.
In a working environment, such a negative mindset will prevent you and others from unleashing your real potential. By taking the matter at hand, and spending your time to build your case, you do not only save yourself but also other workers.
And as what has been implied, you need to build your case before you can report it. Identifying sexual harassment can be difficult, especially if you do not share a common ground with others. Some men still catcall women, and they think it is okay. And some women believe that men are incompetent at some fields, so they tend to exclude male workers from specific projects. If you work in such an environment, being a person who is aware of gender issues will make you belong to the minority, and what you think is harassment might not seem the same to others.
Building the Case
You have to build your case before you can think of addressing the issue to the authority. Sexual harassment can be subtle, and it requires hard evidence. Unless you have it, your claim can be suspected as a baseless accusation which can backfire on you.
- Take records of the perpetrator’s conduct.
- Whenever he/she makes fun of you sexually, record it.
- Look for the other victims. If he/she is your senior, the chances are that you are not the only victim.
- Focus on the frequency of your seclusion, and confirm it to him/her about what you lack. If the reasons do not add up, it can be your evidence.
Telling the Superintendent
After you gather enough proof, you should request a personal meeting with the superintendent. Remember that you must keep your language professional although you might feel emotional regarding the matter. Do not claim things for which there is no evidence even if it is very likely to have happened.
Assess your intendant’s response and see if he/she is on the same page with you about sexism and harassment. Beware of victim-blaming mentality because it can make you think you are wrong although you are right. Do not succumb to the perpetrator. You have to teach them a lesson.
Consulting with a Lawyer
To some people, giving up on the job is the commonly taken decision. But it is not going to be that easy if you have earned your position with years of loyalty and dedication. And if there is no significant response from your company, it is time to call a lawyer.
First, you can consult the evidence you have been gathering and see if they are valid to support your case. Second, discuss what information is safe to leak to the public without causing unjustified defamation. Third, assess how much it is all going to cost just in case you need to process your claim the court.
