Employers Should Answer Sexual Harassment Complaints Seriously

One of the last things that you want to deal with when you make a complaint about sexual harassment is having to deal with an employer who isn’t taking you seriously. There are several things that employers might do that let you know they aren’t taking your complaint in the manner they should.

A big clue that something is amiss is that the employer makes jokes about the situation. Responding to sexual harassment claims isn’t ever something that should be done in a lighthearted manner. If your employer tries to make light of the situation with you or if you find out that they are doing this behind your back, you might need to step things up a notch with your complaint.

Some employers might try to make the accusations go away by trying to smooth things over with you. This can come in a variety of forms but one of them to be especially watchful for is veiled attempts at apologizing.

Another thing that shouldn’t ever happen is victim blaming. You aren’t to blame for the sexual harassment so your employer shouldn’t try to make it seem that way. If they are passing the blame to you, it is time to explore other options.

As sad as it is, you have to be on the lookout for how the complaint is being handled. Employers should have definitive rules about what will happen if these complaints are found to be factual. The person who is sexually harassing you shouldn’t just get a light slap on the wrist. There should be serious consequences for this type of behavior.

Source: Fast Company, “A Short Guide On How NOT To React To The Sexual Harassment News,” Kathleen Davis, accessed Nov. 29, 2017