Sexual Harassment at Work

While some issues at work can be forgotten, sexual harassment is not one of them.  A situation that is annoying one day can quickly become uncomfortable or even risky.  Stay alert, follow your feelings and don't be afraid to take action.

Even worse is when the harasser is your boss.  By definition your boss has power over you.  If he or she begins to sexually harass you, you may feel helpless in the situation.  You may worry about offending him or her, losing your chance for a promotion, or even being fired.  While these are valid concerns, ignoring the situation will inevitably result in something worse. 

Sexual harassment does not just go away.  Typically harassment starts as something small and quickly turns into a big problem.  Imagine that your boss begins to make inappropriate remarks to or about you.  If you allow this to continue, he is likely to take it to the next level.  He or she might begin to touch you in subtle ways: standing too close, rubbing your back, or brushing his hand across part of your body.  If this behavior goes unchecked, the harasser will get the message that it's okay to treat you like this -- even though it is not!  The longer this behavior goes on, the more you are at risk for being sexually assaulted or raped.

If you feel you are being sexually harassed by your boss, or anyone else, it is important that you take steps to stopping that behavior.

Keep a Diary
The first thing you should do is write down the situation as soon as it happens.  If you need to take action, either within the company or legally, to prevent further harassment, it is very important that you have a written record.  Keep a notebook with entries describing each time you are sexually harassed.  Be sure to include the specifics of the situation, the exact language used, the date and time, and any witnesses who were present.  Keep your log in a safe place at home, not at work.

Talk to People
Talk to people that you trust about what happened.  It is important that you feel supported in a situation that can be hard on you.  They may have useful advice for you, and they can also serve as witnesses if you need to take action.

Confront your Boss
While it will probably be one of the hardest things you've ever done, you will also feel empowered by standing up for yourself.  Talk to your boss and ask him or her to stop the inappropriate behavior.  Tell him or her that you enjoy the other aspects of your job but the advances are making you uncomfortable.  Warn him or her that if it does not stop, you will be forced to take drastic actions to stop it.

Get Help from Above
If you feel that your boss is temperamental or dangerous, go directly to upper management or to your lawyer.  Confronting your boss gives him one more chance.  You don't owe another chance to anyone who is abusing you, but this might help you get your work life back to normal.

It is unfair that anyone faces sexual harassment.  By taking action, you will help to stop people who harass and save others from being harassed.  Don't stay quiet!