Workplace Harassment Happen in Remote Work Environments

Workplace harassment can be a significant problem, especially in remote work environments. While the COVID-19 pandemic has made remote working possible for many employees, it has also created opportunities for problematic workplace behavior to follow workers home, leading to remote/online harassment and misconduct. Harassment can happen through any communication channel, including email, instant messaging apps, and video call platforms.

While obscene instances of remote/online workplace harassment lawyer are making headlines, more common incidents can be just as distressing and demoralizing to victims. For example, let’s say an employee’s coworker repeatedly sends her unwelcome messages with explicit and suggestive language. These messages are often sent through the company’s instant messaging app. The nagging nature of the inappropriate messages makes the victim feel isolated and embarrassed without having any immediate support system to help them address the situation.

While it’s impossible to entirely prevent workplace harassment in any environment, addressing it head-on can be a powerful way of redefining and improving employee experience. By promoting clear communication, continuous education, and accessible support systems, agencies can preempt remote/online harassment before it starts.

Can Workplace Harassment Happen in Remote Work Environments?

When employees are working remotely during the pandemic, it’s important to emphasize that the same rules and expectations for a respectful work environment apply. This includes ensuring that all employees are familiar with the agency’s policies and have access to reporting mechanisms, such as email, texting, or video calls.

Additionally, agencies can promote a culture of open communication and collaboration that encourages employees to report concerns through these channels. This can lead to a safer virtual workplace, where employees are more likely to feel supported and confident about speaking up for themselves.

Some of the factors driving this increase in remote/online workplace harassment help have to do with the lack of physical oversight that can occur when workers are working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased stress and pressure of working from home can cause employees to blur the lines between personal and professional space. This can give harassers the feeling that they are able to use private channels to exert power over employees, particularly when those employees are less familiar with the authority structures of their agency.

Finally, because there is no physical presence of supervisors or HR representatives to monitor these conversations, it’s harder for employees to report their concerns or seek help when they are experiencing harassment. Some workers may also feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about discussing these issues in person with their supervisors, which can be a contributing factor to their silence and suffering in the face of harassment.

The best way to combat these trends is to make it clear that harassment is illegal, regardless of if it occurs in-person or over remote communication channels. Ensure that all employees are aware of the types of behaviors that could rise to the level of harassment, such as sexist, racist, or discriminatory comments during a video call or in instant messaging.

Additionally, employees should be encouraged to document any incidents of workplace harassment by saving screenshots and/or logging them for future reference. This will provide them with evidence to support their case if they choose to take action. If you have experienced any form of workplace harassment, the employment law attorneys at Barrett & Farahany can offer valuable guidance in determining your rights and navigating the legal process.