Workplace Harassment, A Moral Attack!
25 July 2012
Read by 1422 persons
We are all aware of sexual harassment, but psychological harassment is far less known, more insidious and harder to detect. Yet, two million French people are victims of moral harassment. This number is constantly increasing despite the inclusion of harassment in the labor code and penal code in 2002.
Moral harassment is defined as abusive behavior manifested through actions, gestures, writings, acts, or words that, through repetition, can harm a person’s personality, dignity, or physical or mental integrity.
Such behavior also jeopardizes the person’s job or degrades the work environment.
Workplace harassment can occur between colleagues of the same hierarchical level, or, more commonly, from a superior to a subordinate. This conflict involves a dominant and a submissive party; it is the individual who is targeted, not their skills.
How to recognize workplace harassment?
Generally, a harasser is hungry for power and recognition. We tend to think they target weak individuals, but this is not the case; they are more likely to target conscientious, intelligent, productive people who could overshadow them.
There are specific characteristics that can indicate whether it is harassment or just isolated incidents:
> The attacks are individualized, incessant, targeting the same person repeatedly.
> These repeated taunts, sarcastic humor, and humiliating insinuations do not target the work itself but the victim’s privacy. Work serves only as a pretext to attack them; there are no objective reasons for these reprimands.
How to cope?
> If you have doubts, it is important to confront your aggressor to verify if what you are feeling is real, and the sooner the better. So, ask clearly what is being reproached. If the response remains professional, there is no need to worry. However, if there are excesses and unjustified remarks, you have the answer to your doubts. But act as if nothing has bothered you. This will only make them stronger.
> It is essential to de-dramatize and remove any guilt; you have done nothing wrong. Finding allies within the company is crucial: colleagues, HR, occupational health services, employee representatives, or even your superior’s superiors. Everyone can help you deal with the situation. Do not be afraid that your actions will reach their ears, as it may curb their actions. The harasser is always very afraid of being exposed.
> You can build a case to trap the aggressor. Have witnesses attest to the humiliations suffered. Note each incident (date and time), keep memos, registered letters, and unpleasant messages sent to you. These are all pieces of evidence that will support your claims and help you in your fight.
If it ruins your morale, stresses you out, and prevents you from sleeping, do not hesitate to consult a specialist who will help you during this period of self-doubt and questioning of your skills.
Aufeminin.com
Posted on July 25, 2012.
Moral harassment is defined as abusive behavior manifested through actions, gestures, writings, acts, or words that, through repetition, can harm a person’s personality, dignity, or physical or mental integrity.
Such behavior also jeopardizes the person’s job or degrades the work environment.
Workplace harassment can occur between colleagues of the same hierarchical level, or, more commonly, from a superior to a subordinate. This conflict involves a dominant and a submissive party; it is the individual who is targeted, not their skills.
How to recognize workplace harassment?
Generally, a harasser is hungry for power and recognition. We tend to think they target weak individuals, but this is not the case; they are more likely to target conscientious, intelligent, productive people who could overshadow them.
There are specific characteristics that can indicate whether it is harassment or just isolated incidents:
> The attacks are individualized, incessant, targeting the same person repeatedly.
> These repeated taunts, sarcastic humor, and humiliating insinuations do not target the work itself but the victim’s privacy. Work serves only as a pretext to attack them; there are no objective reasons for these reprimands.
How to cope?
> If you have doubts, it is important to confront your aggressor to verify if what you are feeling is real, and the sooner the better. So, ask clearly what is being reproached. If the response remains professional, there is no need to worry. However, if there are excesses and unjustified remarks, you have the answer to your doubts. But act as if nothing has bothered you. This will only make them stronger.
> It is essential to de-dramatize and remove any guilt; you have done nothing wrong. Finding allies within the company is crucial: colleagues, HR, occupational health services, employee representatives, or even your superior’s superiors. Everyone can help you deal with the situation. Do not be afraid that your actions will reach their ears, as it may curb their actions. The harasser is always very afraid of being exposed.
> You can build a case to trap the aggressor. Have witnesses attest to the humiliations suffered. Note each incident (date and time), keep memos, registered letters, and unpleasant messages sent to you. These are all pieces of evidence that will support your claims and help you in your fight.
If it ruins your morale, stresses you out, and prevents you from sleeping, do not hesitate to consult a specialist who will help you during this period of self-doubt and questioning of your skills.
Aufeminin.com
Posted on July 25, 2012.
