Harassment at work doesn’t always look the same. Sometimes it’s loud and direct. Other times, it’s subtle and steady. Either way, it chips away at your focus, comfort, and dignity. You shouldn’t have to second-guess whether you’re overreacting. Ensuring fair policies at work means taking action when those rules are broken.
Harassment can happen in any industry, at any level. If it’s happening to you, don’t wait for it to stop on its own. You have rights. In this article, we will go over several steps to take when you feel that you’re being harassed.
1 – Start documenting everything
If someone is harassing you at work, start writing things down. Don’t wait. Keep a simple, private record of what happened, when it happened, and who saw or heard it. You don’t need to capture every word. Just describe the situation clearly enough that someone reading it later will understand what occurred.
Include the date and time. Add the names of any witnesses, even if they didn’t say anything at the time. If the harassment happened through email, chat, or text, save the messages. If it happened face-to-face, note what was said and how it was said. Keep it factual.
Your notes are for you. They help if you need to file a report later. They help if you speak to a lawyer. They also help you remember what happened without relying on memory alone. When days blur together, it’s easy to forget details.
2 – Report things internally
Reporting harassment inside your company might feel risky, but it’s often a necessary step. Most workplaces have a process for this. You can usually report to your direct supervisor, human resources, or through an internal hotline. If the person harassing you is your manager, go directly to HR or someone above them. Don’t assume they’ll fix it on their own. Use the reporting path that puts some distance between you and the problem.
- When you file the report, be direct. Include only what matters.
- Describe what happened, when it happened, and who else was involved.
- Bring the notes or records you’ve kept.
- They give weight to your words. Stay calm, even if you feel shaken.
- You’re allowed to feel upset.
- You’re also allowed to ask how the process works and what happens next.
3 – Take care of yourself
Harassment doesn’t just stay at work. It follows you home. It shows up in your sleep, your appetite, and your patience with people who don’t deserve the fallout. You might feel angry. You might feel numb. You might feel ashamed, even though you did nothing wrong. These are normal reactions and you shouldn’t ignore them.
You need support which means talking to someone you trust outside of work. It might mean finding a therapist who understands workplace trauma. Some jobs offer employee assistance programs. If yours does, use it. If not, find a resource on your own. You don’t need permission to take care of yourself.
