There is nothing worse (as it relates to your employment) than being the victim of workplace harassment or discrimination. This can turn your life upside down in many ways.
While harassment can take many forms, there are a few vital steps that victims can take. Learn how you can protect your workplace rights after experiencing workplace harassment.
If you have any reason to believe you are the victim of workplace harassment or discrimination, there are a few mistakes you need to avoid at all costs:
- Neglecting to keep a record of what is going on. You need to save anything that can help your cause in the future, such as emails and voice messages that prove the harassment or discrimination. Yes, it can take some time to do this, but it is extremely important.
- Do not wait to report the issue to the HR department. There is no point in sitting back and assuming that things will get better over time. You need to report the issue right away, as this can often bring the problem to an end on the spot.
- Provide the necessary information. If you are going to report an issue to your employer, you must be willing to share the information you have to back up your claim.
- Do not take fast action without thinking about what you are doing. Sure, you may be upset about your harassment or discrimination, but you need to think long and hard before you do anything. An impulsive act can come back to harm you in the future.
Along with the above, do not feel compelled to discuss your situation with the person who is harassing or discriminating against you. You do not have to speak with this person, so it is probably in your best interest to avoid doing so.
There is no denying the fact that an instance of workplace harassment can make your life miserable. However, you cannot let this stop your career dead in its tracks. Instead, you need to learn more about your legal rights and then take action. There is never a good time to sweep this under the rug in the hope that it never becomes known.