Legally, the definition of workplace harassment is simply an act that will lead to a workplace environment that is hostile. It does not have to be a serious act, it could be something as minor as calling someone a supposedly harmless name, the wrong name, and you can imagine what I meant by that. That kind of behavior has become epidemic in many in many workplaces in the past decades. Consequently, the enactment of nationwide workplace harassment laws.
It would be something most would agree is quite serious; such as a racial epithet, marking fun of a person’s religion, a joke or a rant about someone’s sexual orientation. It seems to some that it goes on forever; that you can’t say anything to anyone these days without running it by your lawyer.
As ridiculous as some people think certain harassment laws are, it is fair to say that these laws, to a significant degree, make a lot of sense. For example, such harassment, or bad taste humor, could seriously affect someone’s job promotion; or even result in their firing through nasty untrue rumors. It could be psychologically damaging, which could be worse than losing their job. You certainly would not want to be on the receiving end of that.
And according to most harassment laws, all this is not just focused on bad taste jokes, obscenity, or threats. There are certain fighting words, keywords; such as feminism, black power and gay rights, which could be used against someone in a very negative tone. That might be all that it takes.
Even something as well-meaning and simple, to some at least, as broadcasting a Catholic prayer, through the company’s PA system close to Christmas Day could be seen as harassment. That would be because it would be interpreted by some as a display of religious preference on the job.
The implementation of your companies workplace harassment laws, therefore, are meant to protect both the majority and minority. They serve as the deterrent to future discriminatory actions by fellow employees, or the company itself.
Yes, many of us would probably think that some of this is nonsense, and probably be correct, but overall it makes significant sense; within reason. Especially if you consider that you could be such a victim some day. And that day you would then be protected.
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