Managing Workplace Harassment Complaints: Legal Obligations and Best Practices
What are 3 actions to take if you’re experiencing workplace harassment?
Here are four steps you can – and should – take if you’re being harassed at work: Document what’s happening to you, Tell someone, Get help from an attorney, File a complaint
Managing Workplace Harassment Complaints: Legal Obligations and Best Practices
When it comes to workplace harassment, employers have a legal obligation to address complaints seriously and appropriately. Failing to address complaints of workplace harassment can lead to reputational damage as well as stringent legal consequences. As such, it’s important for employers to have clear policies in place and to ensure such policies are followed in order to protect all involved in the workplace.
When it comes to managing workplace harassment complaints, the first step is to have a nondiscrimination policy. This should clearly define what type of behavior is unacceptable and spell out the consequences for engaging in such activities. Secondly, employers should have a complaint process in place that provides employees with the ability to report workplace harassment anonymously, if desired.
When it comes to investigating a harassment complaint, employers should take the matter seriously and respond promptly. Any action taken should also be consistent with both the rights of the complainant and the accused. Furthermore, employers should be aware of their duty to protect the confidentiality of both the complainant and the accused in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Once an investigation is complete, employers should ensure any action taken is consistent with their policies and any applicable legal requirements. It’s also important for employers to provide follow up and ongoing monitoring to ensure the compliance of their policies.
Finally, when it comes to managing workplace harassment complaints, employers should encourage open and honest dialogue among all employees. This includes teaching employees what constitutes proper and inappropriate behavior in the workplace as well as teaching them how to report any concerns they may have. This will help ensure that not only are policies and procedures being effectively followed, but also that everyone in the workplace is comfortable expressing themselves and being heard.
Ultimately, managing workplace harassment complaints requires employers to ensure they comply with all applicable legal obligations. However, it also requires employers to ensure that all employees are comfortable and secure in their workplace, free from any bullying or harassment behaviour.
