Most Harassers don't look like this
In fact they look ordinary, sometimes quite attractive. They may even be popular and well liked at work.
Which makes it all the harder for you to realise that they are harming you. Harassment starts with small, boundary-testing acts, which you, or the people around you accept as normal. Over time, as you feel increasing drained or anxious around a certain person, it might just occur to you... that you have fallen under a harasser's power.
What do you do?
By identifying the type of harasser you're dealing with, you can develop a strategy on how to deal with them.
If you're facing a Clueless Harasser, you can approach them directly and get a quick resolution. But if you're facing a Prima Donna or Magician, you will need more to find allies and strategise.
From this mini course, you will be able to identify the type of harasser you're facing - a valuable tool in defeating harassment at work.
What is workplace harassment exactly?
Workplace harassment is unwelcome conduct by a colleague or someone in the context of work, which makes you feel uncomfortable, threatened or humiliated, or causes a hostile work environment. This includes sexual harassment, workplace bullying, racial and other forms of harassment. It can take place face to face, in meetings and work related functions, through digital means like e-mail, text/direct messages, social media or during online calls such as zoom or team-meetings. Harassment can be physical, verbal, psychological and includes mobbing, exclusion and unreasonable work demands.
While some countries or states may have laws addressing certain types of harassment or discrimination, they may be limited in their effectiveness. Most employers will have policies to some extent. Do check yours.
Does Your Harasser fall under one or more of the 9 types?
Watch the video and discover if you are facing:
The Clueless Harasser
The Serial Joker
The Dinosaur
The Pressure Cooker
The Prima Donna
The Authoritarian
The Follower
The Magician
The Predator
What Next?
Figuring out your harasser's type is just one step in the process as you strategise how to defeat harassment.
Here's what you can do:
Step 1
Identify the harassment you are experiencing and the impact it has on you - emotionally, mentally, physically, how it changes the way you work and your career progression.
Learn more here.
Step 2
Consider your harasser and the power dynamics between you? Can they influence your career? If they can, you need to plan how to address the harassment while taking care of yourself.
Our Defeat Harassment at Work Course helps you hatch a plan.
Step 3
Understand your harasser. How open are they if you were to tell them how you feel? Would they retaliate in some way? Watching Understanding Your Harasser video above would help you work out whether it is safe to approach them directly, or you need to find allies inside or outside your organisation.
Step 4
What outcome do you want? Do you want the harassment to stop along with an apology, escalate your case to HR or take legal action?
Learn more about planning your next steps here.
Step 5
Do you want to share your story and be heard? If you are looking for a supportive space, join our community platform The Speak Up Collective. The Collective focuses on supporting change makers in organisations address issues like harassment and toxicity at work.
Addressing Toxic Behaviour Within the Organisation
If you are concerned about toxic conduct within some of your team, including leaders, and need advice, you can book a consultation here, or email us at [email protected] with details.
