Workplace Harassment is Endemic
Did you know that....
- 1 in 3 people have been bullied at work?
- 57% of lawyers who were bullied did not report their harassment due to fear of repercussions?
- In the US, 75% face retaliation when reporting wrongdoing.
- In the UK, the NHS loses £2 billion every year due to workplace harassment?
- Women, ethic minorities and LGBT people are more vulnerable to harassment?
- 3 senior executives in France Telecom were convicted because they created a toxic environment which caused the suicide of 35 employees?
Employers can no longer afford to ignore or cover up sexual harassment, racial discrimination and bullying in workplaces. The moment a #MeToo case goes viral, public pressure impacts share price, boycotts, lawsuits and the reputation of organisations and their leaders.
Harassment is sometimes a red flag to greater danger. Employees trying to raise a safety concern or unethical conduct may find themselves being threatened or retaliated against. The harasser could be an individual, a group, and sometimes management. It is in the organisation's best interest to promote a safe and healthy work environment so that wrongdoing cannot be hidden.
Where do you start?
If you want to have a conversation to understand about direction, or have an immediate need (see examples below), book a consultation with us.
*Statistics from the ILO, IBA, UK government, EEOC and TUC. See our You Are Not Alone video for more details.
What is Workplace Harassment?
Workplace harassment is any unwanted conduct by a person or group of people:
- towards any person that makes them feel uncomfortable, intimidated, humiliated, offended, or violates their dignity, or
- causes a hostile or toxic work environment.
Workplace harassment is broad, and your country or organisation might have a specific legal definition. Harassment includes:
- Bullying and mobbing
- Sexual Harassment
- Racial Harassment
- Microaggressions
- Exclusion
- Retaliation
- Targeted and unfair treatment
What Should Organisations Do?
Listen and be open to the possibility that harassment is happening in your organisation.
Support employees who come forward reporting harassment. They may be traumatised, and the conventional HR approach can cause further harm.
Act and be seen to act, the moment any form of harassment, bullying or sexual harassment comes to light. How you respond can enhance or destroy trust employees, customers and other stakeholders have in your organisation.
While resolving individual cases is important, pay attention to patterns and signs that point to a toxic organisational culture - overall, or in parts of the organisation.
Consider the culture and environment that can cause toxic behaviours. Impossible targets forced onto employees can cause unethical decisions, bullying leadership styles and impact employee wellbeing.
What a Consultation Covers
Whether you are a board director, a senior executive, a HR professional you might be facing the challenge of reducing toxicity at work. Here are some themes that a consultation can address:
- A sensitive case has come to your attention and you are unsure of how to handle it.
- A #MeToo, bullying or racial harassment case has gone viral and you are concerned about how it is impacting your employees, stakeholders and the organisation's reputation.
- The culture of the organisation or specific teams have elements of toxicity.
- Some of your senior leaders display inappropriate behaviour and you need to stage an intervention.
- How to make your anti-harassment policies and training more effective.
- What you should do if an investigation shows that harassment and bullying is a problem.
- Why people are not reporting or intervening when they witness harassment and how you can change this.
After the session, we will send you a report on what was discussed.
Your Consultant, Animah Kosai
Hi, I'm Animah, a lawyer by background, from Malaysia, and currently living in London. I practiced law for 9 years in Malaysia, before joining the oil and gas industry as corporate counsel for 14 years.
I have given talks and training in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore and London, as well as media interviews, on topics ranging from corruption and #MeToo, to global corporate scandals.
In relation to workplace harassment, I have:
- Created and implemented policies.
- Conducted training and talks designed to shift attitudes.
- Investigated and overseen investigations.
- Coached leaders and people displaying harassing tendencies, as well as change-makers upholding integrity.
- Built and strategised legal cases in dismissing harassers, including winning at an industrial court.
- Advised organisations facing harassment situations and scandals.
I am CEO of Speak Up At Work and founder of The Speak Up Collective, a global community of thought leaders and change-makers passionate about co-creating safe, inclusive and thriving workplaces and collectively transforming the World of Work!
Find out more about me on LinkedIn or learn more about my approach to harassment through these interviews below.
Speak Up Webinar: Is Your Organisation Healthy or Toxic?
Animah Kosai in conversation with thought leaders Linda Crockett, Kernan Manion MD, Carita Nyberg and Michael Banks as they share their perspectives on workplace bullying, toxic leadership and follower-ship, the deeper insecurities at play, and how the self aware leaders and organisations can transform and sustain healthy organisational cultures.
View the webinar here.
TV Interview: Workplace Harassment... It's Not Okay!
Astro Awani host Melisa Idris speaks to Animah Kosai, who shares how speaking up is critical in addressing workplace harassment in the face of wrongdoing like fraud, unsafe practices and sexual harassment. The interview was conducted on the sidelines of LeadWomen's 2019 conference on workplace harassment, 'It's Not Okay' in Kuala Lumpur.
The 26 min interview is available on Astro Awani here.
Leadership Luminaries: Can the Bullying Leader be Redeemed?
Michael Banks in his Leadership Luminaries podcast series asks Animah Kosai the critical question: can the bullying leader be redeemed, or do we just put them out to pasture?
Spoiler Alert: Yes, they can be redeemed. Listen to learn how...
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule my appointment?
Fill in the Booking Form and we will liaise with you for a suitable time and appointment.
How Do I Pay?
Pay through the "Purchase A Consultation" button on this site, once you have booked the appointment.
How does a Consultation work?
The Consultation is online and one hour long. To optimise the session so you can get the information, advice, guidance or feedback you need within the hour, please fill up the form you receive upon registration. In the form, give details of what you want to discuss and your desired outcome. After the Consultation, Animah will send you a note of the Consultation for your records and further action.
The session is online via Zoom, with the time and link e-mailed to you. If you prefer to use your own organisation's virtual meeting link, let us know on the second form.
Can I purchase a session more than once?
Absolutely! If you require more advice, simply purchase another session. If you think more time is required and would like to involve other colleagues, ask during our session and we can book a longer time.
Other Speak Up Discovery Courses and Coaching
Find out about our coaching for people who face workplace harassment.
Coming soon: our course on Defeat Workplace Harassment. Reclaim your Power when Harassment impacts your Career, your Company and your Life.
