Workplace harassment can impact an employee’s career and life. An employee may be harassed because of their gender, race, disability, religion or age. Some common forms of workplace harassment include verbal abuse, sexual harassment, psychological bullying and retaliation. If an employer won’t address the harassment, employees can take action by filing a workplace harassment claim.
Evidence is crucial for a strong workplace harassment claim. Keeping a record of events can help hold harassers accountable. Here is what you should know.
How to document workplace harassment
Typically, the first step to take before filing a workplace harassment claim is collecting evidence. There are a few ways you can collect evidence of workplace harassment, including the following:
- Keep everything in writing: It is important to record any communications with the harasser in writing. Emails, letters, texts and voicemails can help support a claim.
- Keep a journal: You may want to consider keeping track of when and where harassment took place to prove that an incident was not a one-time occurrence.
- Keep copies of complaints: Reports to a company’s Human Resources department can be used to prove when an event took place and whether an incident was investigated and resolved.
- Talk to witnesses and victims: You may not be the only person who has witnessed or experienced workplace harassment. Witness and victim testimonies can help strengthen a claim.
If you are facing workplace harassment, and you are have not been able to resolve the matter with your employer, it is important to understand your legal rights. You can reach out to professional legal guidance to determine what you should do next.