You hear news of harassment cases at work, but unlike widely publicized cases, many others fall under the radar. This reluctance may be because the situation may be hard to identify.
The obvious kind, quid pro quo, is when a boss threatens to fire or demote you if you don’t submit to what he or she wants (even if it’s against company policy). The second type, hostile work environment, is more nebulous. The latter is also the more common type.
So how do you set these offenders straight?
Telling human resources immediately may be more trouble than it’s worth if the behavior is immature rather than intimidating. So, if you just merely wish to be left alone, fire back with a comment that conveys you want to stop the behavior. If that person still doesn’t quit, be more direct. You may want to tell your supervisor if your efforts have fallen on deaf ears. People around you will definitely be interviewed if the whole thing blows up. Just be ready to face up to your statement and be brave about it.
Even if that person had a high position, you still need to say something to indicate that the behavior is unwelcome. For serious cases such as harassment and blackmail, not even a CEO of a company should get away with it. Your actions may cause intrigue, but this is also for the good of the other people in the company. You’re simply calling the attention of those who aren’t brave enough, and whatever may happen in the future, this incident will always be on record.
When situations like these happen at work, it’s difficult to become productive.
Instead of looking forward to the day ahead, you dread stepping into that office building. Maybe it’s time for a change. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t take things like a doormat. You have to find a way to let all your frustrations out in a healthy manner. Everyone will have to deal with difficulty in their life, and your time may be now. Of course, it’s harder when your career is on the line. As long as you remain professional about it and go through the proper channels, they can never charge you with anything. Basically, don’t overreact and blow things out of proportion.
It’s time to reevaluate things and make some adjustments. If you have to step it up a notch and become a more assertive person, then so be it. Granted that you remain civilized about it no matter how tempting it is to just go up to the person and beat him or her up. Moreover, don’t go crying to the higher-ups immediately. You’re an adult, and while things can be handled more quietly, try to take care of the situation by yourself at first.
It’s only when policies and laws are broken can you finally take drastic measures. Your future is on the line and you must do everything within your power to make your job as secure as possible. Otherwise, there are also greener pastures elsewhere. Don’t lose hope and stand your ground.
Tags: difficult people
