Signs a Colleague is being Sexually Harassed
Sexual harassment is a big problem in the workplace. Despite advancements being made in programs to educate employees about what exactly is considered sexual harassment and companies playing a larger role in disciplining employees engaged in inappropriate behavior, there are many instances that go unreported.
Instances of sexual harassment may not be reported for a number of reasons. The employee may not want to be the one to get the other person in trouble, they can doubt themselves about whether what is going on is really sexual harassment and not speak up for fear of being laughed at or not taken seriously. But there are signs that indicate a person may be being sexually harassed and it is good to keep an eye out for these signs so you can speak up even if the employee the harassment is being directed against is not. Sexual harassment is never okay and should not be allowed to continue undisciplined.
Signs of sexual harasment can include:
Avoidance. If you notice a colleague purposely avoiding a specific coworker, especially if they are of the opposite sex, this could be a sign that the person is making them uncomfortable. It may be that your colleague just really doesn't like dealing with the person because they don't like their personality, but there could be more to it. Often you can find out whether there is a personality conflict or whether they may be more to it by asking some simple questions such as, "I've noticed you avoid interacting with colleague A, did something happen to make you not want to work with him?" Most of the time if it is just that the person does not like colleague A that will be evident in their response but if they become evasive or protest that they are not avoiding that person that there is nothing wrong this could mean that there is more going on.
Change in mood or attitude. If a colleague is being sexually harassed you may notice that their mood changes. Someone that was normally friendly, outgoing and positive all of a sudden becomes withdrawn and quiet not wanting to engage with others. This could be a sign of something going on in their personal lives, but it also could be a sign that someone at work is making them very uncomfortable and they no longer enjoy coming to work.
Weird exchanges or interactions with another coworker. Sometimes you can pick up on sexual harassment just by being observant and watching how two colleagues interact. Trust your gut, if you feel that something is not quite right or that there seems to be something inappropriate going on between two coworkers it's wise to investigate the matter. Many times you can pick up on sexual harassment by subtle hints such as what people say to each other or how one colleague overreacts to something that would seem totally innocent if there was not more going on between them.
It can be hard to determine if sexual harassment is occurring in your workplace since not every instance of it is obvious and done out in the open but by being observant and looking into clues that you pick up on, you can investigate further and help out that colleague that is afraid to speak up about it.
