Bullying and Harassment

The law says your boss must make sure that harassment is not happening at work. It is your boss’s job to make sure the workplace is safe, healthy and fair for everyone. They have to tell everyone that harassment will not be allowed to happen.

Every employee has a right to report harassment. The boss must listen to the report and do something about it right away.

 

If you are being harassed at work, answer these questions about the situation:

• How often are the words or actions happening?
• Are the words or actions very severe?
• Do you feel physically threatened (like someone is going to hurt your body?)
• Do you feel “humiliated” (sad, ashamed, and embarrassed?)
• Did the words or actions get in the way of your doing your work?
• Do you feel worried or anxious about work because of the way someone is treating you?
• Do you feel like you have to put up with the words or actions to keep your job?

 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might want to talk to someone for support.

 

If you are being harassed at work, tell the person that you do not like what they are doing or saying. One of the rules about harassment is that it has to be “unwelcome” and you have to make that clear. 

 

You could say something like “I do not like it when you make fun of me and threaten to beat me up. Stop saying these things to me” Or “I do not appreciate you trying to tickle me. Stop doing that”.

 

Tell your boss and also tell someone else who you trust, like a parent, friend or care giver if someone at work is bothering you.

 

Write down the thing that happened- or have someone help you write it down.

 

Get support and help from trusted people to make a plan to stop the harassment

 

If you are being harassed at work and you do not feel like anyone is helping you, contact the Civil Rights Center to make a complaint. The number is 202-693-6500. You must call within 45 days of the harassment in order to have the right to file a complaint.