Many people misunderstand the concept of workplace harassment as only a bad touch (sexual harassment) or passing inappropriate comments (Verbal harassment), though it also includes bullying (Psychological harassment), hitting (Physical harassment), ostracizing from activities because of race or caste (Discriminatory Harrasment), threatening emails (Online/Cyber Harrasment) or combination of these (Hostile work environment).
ACCORDING TO THE US EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION (EEOC), THE DEFINITION OF WORKPLACE HARASSMENT IS DEFINED AS:
“HARASSMENT IS UNWELCOME CONDUCT BASED ON A PROTECTED CHARACTERISTIC WHEN (1) ENDURING THE CONDUCT BECOMES A CONDITION OF CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OR (2) THE CONDUCT IS SEVERE OR PERVASIVE ENOUGH TO CREATE A WORK ENVIRONMENT THAT A REASONABLE PERSON WOULD CONSIDER INTIMIDATING, HOSTILE, OR ABUSIVE.”
Such experiences of harassment lead to adverse effects on one's mental health. It results in forms like anxiety, PTSD, depression, burnout, self doubt, etc which, along with other factors, start to impact employees' performance, meeting desired standards or generating output before deadlines. That is why any organization needs to maintain a healthy environment.
Let us acknowledge how workplace harassment over a period of time impacts mental health so as to identify and practice relevant approaches at different levels of experiencing such workplace harassment.
1. An Often ignored level:
Let us look at some situations that are often perceived as normal tolerance, though they count as workplace harassment that should not be left unaddressed for maintaining a healthy working environment:
Getting targeted with jokes or remarks that ain’t professional or appropriate.
Constantly experiencing ignorance, passing of brutal comments, or exclusion by fellow workers.
Not being invited to team decisions and discussions like other fellows working there.
The impact of such circumstances results in lower confidence, self doubt, and emotional fatigue. This is usually where the beginning of the self blame takes place.
2. Verbal & Psychological Harassment:
The next level here is comparatively a more visible sign of harassment that is emotionally challenging for the person in this situation. Let us have a look at what it looks like:
Receiving threats regarding job security.
Experiencing constant gaslighting, such as listening frequently to “You’re too sensitive.”
Constantly getting remarks in the form of insults, yelling, or inappropriate comments.
The Impact that accompanies such situations is anxiety, stress, demotivation, overthinking, or sleep cycle disturbance, which is not a good sign of an employee’s worth in an organisation.
3. Discriminatory Harassment:
This level covers harassment situation identification that is based on factors like identity, religion, caste, etc., which, at core, targets one’s self worth for who they are.
Following are the examples:
Treated with unkind comments on sex, race, religion, and caste.
Mocked or made fun of by others on features like appearance, accent, disability, or clothing style.
Facing unjust treatment because of gender, disability, religion, etc.
The most common mental health impact includes emotional withdrawal at the workplace, stress, feeling underconfident or anger mixed with helplessness, mainly an internalized shame growing within an individual.
4. Sexual Harassment:
An uninvited, involuntary experience of facing behaviour that directs in a sexual nature, irrespective of being, verbal, non verbal or physical, affecting dignity, safety, as well as bodily autonomy. Let us get to know what sexual harassment can look or feel like:
Listening to vulgar comments or jokes.
Bearing unwelcomed gestures, messages that are inappropriate in a professional setting.
Receiving requests for dates or unnecessary dinner invites despite refusing everytime.
The Impact that it creates is unavoidable. It results in panic attacks, constant fear, loss of sense of safety, or depression, guilt, which also accompanies avoiding the workplace or certain people hindering work processes.
5. Physical Harassment / Assault (Most Severe):
This comes under not just a workplace issue to be addressed, but a criminal behaviour by law. It is severe in nature and cannot be dealt with easily. Let us understand how or what it looks like:
Getting touched unwantedly or facing physical intimidation.
Experiencing sexual assault or threats
Getting interrupted in the form of blocking movement to pass.
The Impact that is commonly found with the people experiencing physical assault is Trauma, PTSD, numbness, distrust in people, nightmares, sudden flashbacks, and failing to maintain relationships.
But what, as an individual, can you do at the point or during that period so as to deal with such situations of workplace harassment? (if in starting you feel uncomfortable reporting the harassment)
Firstly, try to vocalise your boundary. Whenever you hear any hurtful comment or experience an unjust treatment, make sure to politely ask the other party not to repeat the same behaviour or make the same comments.
Secondly, document everything from dates, times, place to words used by the guilty person in detail.
Thirdly, communicate with a trusted fellow or mentor to receive guidance for the same.
IN INDIAN LAW, UNDER POSH ACT 2013, SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT THE WORKPLACE IS DEFINED AS:
“SEXUAL HARASSMENT INCLUDES ANY UNWELCOME ACT OR BEHAVIOUR (WHETHER DIRECTLY OR BY IMPLICATION) OF A SEXUAL NATURE, WHICH:
• VIOLATES A WOMAN’S DIGNITY, OR
• CREATES AN INTIMIDATING, HOSTILE, HUMILIATING, OR OFFENSIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT, OR
• AFFECTS HER EMPLOYMENT, WORK PERFORMANCE, OR SAFETY.”
Important Things To Note Regarding Reporting Of Workplace Harassment:
You can report to the ICC (Internal Complaints Committee) of your company regarding workplace harassment.
In case your company doesn’t have ICC of its own, you can complain to the Local Complaints Committee, which is a district level committee formed under POSH Act 2013.
If you want to file the complaint through online means, due to unreachability to LCC or ICC, then you can visit the online portal shebox.wcd.gov.in website named as SHe-Box (Sexual Harassment Electronic Box), which is run by the government.
In severe cases, such as threats or stalking, criminal acts, you can reach out to the police and file an FIR.
What panhacare CAN DO FOR YOU?
PANHA supports and helps victims facing harassment at no cost. You can connect to the professional by visiting panhacare.com. Do you feel the need to be listened to without any judgment? Connect with A BUDDY, and join the waitlist. Soon, you will be contacted and guided accordingly. You can keep your identity anonymous, and you will not be charged for any service rendered to you.
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