Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Laws regarding hostile work environments vary by location, and the specific complexities of your individual situation require consultation with a qualified employment law attorney. This article does not create an attorney-client relationship, and the author assumes no liability for any actions taken based on the content presented.
In the spirit of International Women’s Day, we had to touch on a subject matter that a lot of women have experienced in the cause of their career. It’s the huge monster in the room that does not often get addressed – A hostile work environment.
Over the years, women, irrespective of their race, age, socio-economic status have recounted horrifying tales of hostility at work.
 If you yet to experience this, then a bit of what is addressed here may come as a shock to you.
Often times, we over hear these conversations at the saloon, brunch, ladies’ room or over the phone with your sister, cousin, friend, or colleague.
Harassments in the work place are indeed a thing.
To make matters worse, these women are often silenced by emotional blackmail and unruly authorities in the work force.
Office politics and the power tussle that make your favorite soap operas so addictive, do exist in real life. Unfortunately, to the victims, it’s not as entertaining as the dramas on your TV screens.
Other times, due to ignorance, or lack of courage some women cannot put a name to the incessant bullying or inappropriate touches they experience while carrying out their tasks at work, neither can they find a way out.
As a result, a high percentage of these cases go unnoticed and unaddressed.
Various studies have proven that women experience workplace  harassment more compared to the male gender. Additionally, women of color and those living with disabilities  are more at risk of being harassed at work.
How To Recognize a Hostile Work Environment
A hostile work environment gives harassment a place to thrive. Harassment is the act of being of being ridiculed, belittled, or threatened by an employer or colleagues in a work environment.
Simply put, it is a toxic work culture!
You may assume that harassment equates only sexual advance but workplace harassment is multifaceted. It is not limited to only sexual advances. It has several layers and comes in various ways which includes –
Verbal Harassment
This is quite common, but can be a bit difficult to recognize because it is often masked as jokes. Example of such phrases include:
“Are you good at anything at all?”
“You just can never understand a single thing”
These statements which are likely accompanied with a chuckle, are patterns of verbal harassment.
Subtle hostile words and unconstructive criticism that can progress to frequent public embarrassment and body shaming.
Physical Harassment
This is also known as assault, includes inappropriate touches of any part of the body and destruction of personal belongings.
Sexual harassment
This is the least publicly mentioned, yet most common, because the victims are either silenced, shamed or both.
Some ladies have vowed to take their ‘little secret’ to the grave.
And would you question their decision? Definitely not!
They are simply overwhelmed with the fear of being shamed or blamed!
Inappropriate touches, sexual advances, unwelcomed sexual jokes, comments, or questions, and sending pornographic contents are all forms of sexual harassment.
Cyberbullying
This involved sending insulting messages or threats online via emails, social media platforms or other digital channels. This is prevalent since most companies have embraced remote and hybrid jobs.
The impact of harassment in a hostile work environmentÂ
It is quite disheartening to know that a woman can experience one or all the various type of workplace harassment at differences stages of her career, impacting negatively on her productivity, career growth and mental, as well as emotional stability.
When individuals are repeatedly exposed to bullying, and unpleasant experiences at work, it strips them of their confidence and self-esteem, irrespective of how competent they are.
Self-doubt and imposter syndrome creeps in, and eventually they lose their motivation.
At such instances, it becomes more thrilling to hang out with friends, visit a loved one or stay indoors and watch a Netflix show or just stay tucked under your blanket all day long, rather than going to work at all.
Afterall, everyone loves to be in a place they are valued and respected.
There’s no doubt that workplace harassment heightens anxiety and breeds fear, which is usually the motive of the perpetrators, until the victims give in to their requests.
When you are consumed with fear and anxiety, you can’t achieve the desired result at work.
You are more prone to make mistakes.
During or after this experience, some victims reportedly have sleepless nights and bouts of depression. It is more challenging for women in developing countries where gender discrimination strongly exists.
How To Curb workplace harassment – Your rights and options
The good news is that it is possible to curb and defeat this menace!
But how?
First, when starting a new role in an organization, it is paramount that you enquire about your company’s harassment policy.
Because it represents their stance towards prejudice and harassment in the workforce. It ensures orderliness and a good work ethics in the work force.
Nevertheless, the availability or unavailability of this policy in an organization doesn’t mean women aren’t encountering this challenge on a daily basis.
What then, should you do?
-
S-P-E-A-K!
One admirable feat about the female gender is that they are quick learners and have excellent adaptability skills.
-The inclination to dive into trendy fashion styles and hacks year in and out.
-The tenacity to live through various phases of life.
A woman can literally do anything she sets her mind on!
This means you can learn anything, including speaking up, even if you haven’t been taught to do so in the past. Moreso, it is your legal right to speak against any form of harassment. And you should not feel ashamed or guilty about doing so.
The ‘silence culture ‘is a trend that should be tossed away completely because the perpetrators weaponize it and wreck more havoc. Speaking Up, even if it’s uncomfortable, is the first step to tackle workplace harassment.
2. Record Incidences
Ensure that you have a detailed record of each incidence. The venue, time, and specific behavior. Build solid evidence – pictures, voice, video records, emails, and incriminating messages. It is easier to believe a victim of harassment that is armed with evidence from the incidence, than another without evidence.
Gather your evidence and report formally to the Human Resource Manager or Director (as it applies to your company). A formal complaint letter that comprises of a detailed experience is a good place to start. This may be followed with further interrogations.
Cases like physical assault or attempted rape should be reported immediately to the right authorities. Simply because, evidence such as scratches or bruises can be seen on the body.
Thankfully, a lot of women have been able to get the right support in their workplace and further interventions were taken in collaboration with the judiciary system to help them get justice.
Unfortunately, sometimes, these efforts may be futile. Some companies may not act on the complaints. However, this shouldn’t make you relent in your pursuit for justice.
3. Educate yourself
The next step is to find out about the laws governing your work place as it varies from country to country. It is expected that you file a lawsuit within a specific time frame of the most recent harassment. You should also talk to an attorney as soon as possible if you work in a hostile work environment.
4. Protect Your Well-being
This whole process can seem quite daunting. You will need adequate emotional support and strength to keep you going. Try to set out time to connect with people and communities that can provide the comfort and support that you need. Isolation will do you no good at all.
There are some governmental and non-governmental organizations online and offline that help women going through harassment at work and home. Listening to others especially survivors of workplace harassment share their experiences can boost your morale.
Be kind to yourself by prioritizing your mental health. Engage in activities that makes you relax and smile.
Spend time in nature, talk a walk, travel, start journaling (put your thoughts into words), take a dance class, learn how to play an instrument, and watch movies. Spend time with those that genuinely love and care about you.
You may have to resign or step away temporarily from work briefly until you feel mentally ready to go back to work.
Also, seek further help by talking to a professional – a psychologist, that you are comfortable and can be vulnerable with, as therapy sessions can be very beneficial in processing your emotions and moving ahead.
Amidst your pain, you can still smile.
Remember you shouldn’t entertain those voices that keep saying ‘it’s your fault’, because this is exactly what the perpetrators want you to believe.
It’s also the false narrative that some cultural sentiments have successful labelled female victims of harassment.
A cycle of ‘It is not my fault’ should be birth!
And it starts with your beautiful self!
5. Building a Better Workforce
Employees should feel safe at work, and a good organization should prioritize the safety and well-being of their employees. Organizations must be aggressive in their pursuit in creating a healthy workplace environment. This is because a healthy work force environment fuels creativity and productivity.
Eradicating Workplace Harassment is a collective effort. Human resource professionals must organize mandatory and regular trainings on harassment prevention and bystander interventions. The essence of these trainings is to create awareness about the signs of harassment, implications and how to respond to the situation.
Human resource managers and team leaders must be swift and observant to notice when people on their team exhibit harassing or menacing behaviors.
Organizations must help and support victims in getting the justice that they deserve, as this will encourage more women to speak up. Structures and policies that respect women’s right must be implemented in all organizations.
Those that sit in the core of power in every organization should be flexible in reviewing policies over and over, until they arrive at a point where employees can feel at home in their respective workplaces.
In Conclusion
We have acknowledged the impact that a hostile work environment can have on women. We have seen that hostility can take on many forms. We have also looked at some of the steps that women as individuals can take to protect themselves and what organizations can do to support them.
Any form of abuse including Workplace Harassment should NEVER be endured! More than ever, now you understand that it’s your legal right to speak up! When you speak up, it is freedom not only for you but for other women.
Every woman deserves to work in a toxic free environment including you!
